Waco Pride Network (WPN)

Founding and History

The Waco Pride Network was founded in 2018, with Internal Revenue Service documents listing Jeff Lewis as the principal officer during the first year of operation. Since its founding, the network has developed as a community hub for LGBT people in the Waco area, administering various social groups of different age ranges and hosting events. ^{3 1}

In June 2024, WPN came to public attention when it became known that the Tractor Supply Company Foundation had donated money to the group, with special attention being drawn to the group’s partnership with Planned Parenthood to host “Sex-Ed Summer Camp” for middle schoolers and high schoolers. ^{4 2}

Financials

Since its founding in 2018, the Waco Pride Network has not declared gross receipts over $50,000 and has only filed the IRS e-Postcard, which does not break down the organization’s finances. ³

However, in June 2024 it came to public attention that the group had received a grant of $5,000 from the Tractor Supply Company Foundation, which made contributions to left-of-center sexual activism and LGBT groups, causing public outcry and a change in policy from Tractor Supply. ^{4 5 6} As a result of the outcry, Tractor Supply issued a statement that it would no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign, eliminate DEI initiatives, end carbon emission goals, and cease non-business related sponsorships for events such as pride festivals. ⁷

Waco Pride Network has also partnered with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, which was a sponsor of its 2023 festival. ⁸

Organization Philosophy

The Waco Pride Network primarily serves as a community group for LGBT individuals in the Waco, Texas area. Notably, it features events and programming focused on under-18s. WPN runs a monthly meeting for LGBT-identifying children called the Waco Youth Pride Alliance. It also runs a parent resource group for both parents who identify as LGBT and for the parents of children who do so. ¹

The inclusion of children in these groups is especially concerning in light WPN’s “Sex-Ed Summer Camp,” which it runs in conjunction with Planned Parenthood. One day of the camp is geared towards middle schoolers and the other for high schoolers. ²

In June 2024, WPN hosted a prom night for its youth group, the Waco Youth Pride Alliance. ⁹

WPN also administers what it calls “Rainbow Pages.” This is a directory of health care providers and businesses whom the group has determined, based on a survey, will provide “affirming” services. The intake form for health care providers asks if the provider has a DEI statement, whether it provides areas on forms to list both gender and sexual identity, and whether it provides training on gender-affirming language. ^{10 11}

Leadership

As of 2022, Miranda Brenner is listed by the IRS as the Waco Pride Network’s principal officer. According to her LinkedIn profile, she is a case manager at the Methodist Children’s Home. ^{12 13}