Meet the Board
Christopher Coburn (he/him)
Christopher comes from a non-Indigenous family that has called Montana home for generations. Originally from Missoula, he moved to Bozeman in 2017. In 2021, Christopher made history by becoming the first Black, openly-queer elected official in Montana when he was elected to the Bozeman City Commission. In addition to his work as a commissioner, Christopher works as the Vice President of Health Equity at Planned Parenthood of Montana, and also serves on the board of directors for the Pride Foundation.
Sara Freedwoman (she/they)
Sara enjoys creating community and feels most at home living among the mountains of Bozeman. She teaches yoga at Spire, sits on the board of Congregation Beth Shalom, and volunteers for the Bozeman Symphony and for Haven. In her spare time, Sara loves skiing, camping, trail running, climbing, and hanging out with her dog, Tyler. She has also been known to lead moon circles through Freedwoman Retreats. By day, Sara works as an analyst in the financial services industry where she is also heavily involved with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Jason Baide (he/him)
current board chair
Born and raised in Bozeman, Jason is passionate about Queer visibility and representation in Bozeman and Montana. He loves working with non-profits and is the Board Chair of the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture and a co-founder of Downbeat Vintage Swing Society. Jason is a goldsmith and Jewelry designer and is the 2nd-generation owner of his family business Gem Gallery in downtown Bozeman. Jason also plays violin with the Bozeman Symphony. He enjoys rock climbing and getting outdoors with his two dogs Dorain and Darcy.
Deon Daniels (he/him)
Deon has expertise in facilitation, event planning, and program management. He has been instrumental in expanding Queer Bozeman’s reach and impact on the community. He is committed to improving the lives of others through volunteer and mentoring work, reflecting his passion for helping people. Beyond his work with Queer Bozeman, Deon prioritizes his own health and wellness through regular physical activity. He strives to create safe and inclusive fitness settings for queer individuals.
PJ Diamond (she/her)
Meet PJ, a spirited and adventurous woman who traded bustling Osaka, Japan for the charming mountain town of Bozeman, MT. Since arriving in the Gallatin Valley in 2020, PJ has thrown herself into community building and service. She's facilitated meaningful discussions on identity topics for MSU students and MontPIRG interns, led educational activities for local coffee shop staff and Montana Shakespeare in the Park actors, and consults with a Montessori school to help shape their diversity strategy. PJ is excited to serve on the inaugural Queer Bozeman Community Board and remains committed to the group's mission of creating a welcoming and supportive space for all. In PJ's eyes, Queer Bozeman isn't just a community for LGBTQ+ individuals, it's a community for her, too!
Maris Fessenden (they/them)
current vice-chair
Maris grew up on a dairy farm in rural New York state, where they first learned about the importance of our connection to nature. They have made a home in Bozeman for the past decade. Here, they have found belonging, strength, and meaning in the forest, mountains, and vibrant circles of friends and community. Maris is a storyteller, illustrator, and communicator interested in how humans make meaning while they relate to the land, animals, plants, fungi, and other beings around us. They work as an independent writer and designer, volunteer and advocate for human rights, and create art. They also serve on the board of the Rocky Mountain Science Writers Association.
Hazel Gonzalez McCord (she & fae)
Hazel is a woman of trans experience who grew up in Bozeman, having moved to town when she was five. She has enjoyed being a part of various organizations and events here over the years including doing security for HATCH Fest, Warped Tour, and Porterhouse Productions. She was loosely involved with a Turner Youth Development Initiative teen center called The Blue Iguana and has dreams of actualizing another safe and entertaining space for young adults again. Hazel has also worked at Erotique for many years, passionately learning about and teaching healthy sexuality and kink. When she's not community building or doing her utmost to be a healthy and supportive elder queer role model and advocate for queer youth, she spends much of her spare time reading and cooking. Often simultaneously.
Marrakech Maxwell (they/them)
Marrakech was born in Jackson Hole, WY, but has found “home” to be a variety of places from the likes of Seattle, WA, to Bozeman, MT. Growing up in a small close-knitted community in Wyoming led to their passion for environmental justice and the possibility of the connected human experience. They have accepted a board position to help support and engage with the Queer community in supporting Bozeman to a just and humane future for all. Marrakech is an advocate, photographer, and community advisor working on engaging with the groovy and mundane moments in life; especially when hot topics are involved. They are so enthralled at the opportunity to engage in the work of creating a kind and engaging community in Bozeman.
Donald Stuker (he/him)
Originally from north-central Montana, Donald has spent 15+ years advocating for inclusive and accessible queer spaces in all of Montana’s cities. One of the founders of the Countship of the ISCSM, Donald performs across the state as the drag queen Hexx Shadow, working to bring drag performance to all ages. Donald is also responsible for producing the drag components of Montana Pride in Helena each year. In his spare time, Donald helps out on his family cattle ranch and enjoys social gatherings with friends.
Elsie Thomson (she/her)
Elsie spent many years living out of a backpack teaching for experiential schools throughout the Rocky Mountain West and abroad. She now teaches in a very different context working with grant funders on how to best utilize their grants management system. In her free time, Elsie loves to play outside by climbing and biking with her wife and dog. She can also be found tending to their backyard garden, tinkering on various house projects, and serving on the board of Pride House..