C. Patrick McIlvain – OutSmart Magazine

“Being selected as the parade’s honorary grand marshal is recognition by my peers of my life as a community advocate, volunteer and organizer. For me, this means that I have been heard and felt by many people. This gives me a more visible public platform to talk about mental illness this year – a conversation that is long overdue. —C. Patrick McIlvain

Famous for:
Being a long-time community volunteer and advocate, founding member of the Montrose Sports Association, long-time volunteer for Pride Houston 365, member of the original “Team (Annise) Parker” and founding director of The Walk for Mental Health Awareness ( also known as The Walk Houston).

Advocacy:
McIlvain contributes to our community conversation by living with the challenges of a mental illness diagnosis. He shares his personal experiences, including the discrimination he faced from many in the straight community because he is a gay man. Discrimination for being honest and open about one’s mental illness includes discrimination even within one’s LGBTQ community. But he continues to move forward, one step at a time. This is positive and forward progress.

Preferred cause:
McIlvain’s most important cause is speaking out – out in the open – about living with mental illness. He believes we all need to do what we can to let people know that it’s a really good thing to talk about mental illness and how it doesn’t define them. Walk Houston, now known as “Our Journey to Mental Health,” will host a public social event every October 10, observed as World Mental Health Day.

Dreaming of changing the world:
Significantly reduce the personal and social stigma that still weighs heavily on those who talk about mental illness. McIlvain believes that just talking about “mental health” is watering down the real truth. But every time someone says the words “mental illness” in public, we remove a little of the stigma that has been with us for over 5,000 years.

Ultimate life mission:
Completely eradicate all the stigma that is still attached to having and living with a mental illness.

Favorite hashtags:
#PositivePublicDialogue; #EndTheIndifference; #RetakeMyDignity

What: The 46th Annual Official Houston LGBT+ Pride Celebration: Festival and Parade
When: Saturday June 29 (The parade takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Or: Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby Street
Information: pridehouston365.org