The Role of the LGBT Community in Politics: Past, Present, Future
A panel discussion on the role of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community in politics. A look into the past, present, and future.
(PRWEB) October 28, 2004
Log Cabin Republicans of Michigan is proud to sponsor their first open panel discussion/town hall meeting on the role of the LGBT community in politics. The discussion will take place on Friday, October 29, 2004 at 8:00 PM at the University of Michigan, Michigan Union, Wolverine Room. The panel will feature many great speakers, representative of both sides of the aisle and leaders in the LGBT community. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The panel will be presented questions from the moderator for a brief moment; afterwards, the floor will open up to questions from the audience.
Distinguished Panel Members:
State Representative Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor): State Representative Chris Kolb represents the 53rd District, which encompasses the City of Ann Arbor. He is currently in his second term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to his tenure in the House, Chris served four terms on the Ann Arbor City Council and was Mayor Pro-tem from 1994 through 2000. He also previously served as a Legislative Aide to State Representative John P. Hansen. For the 2003-2004 legislative session, Chris has been appointed to the House Appropriations Committee. He has been named Vice-Chair of the Family Independence Agency Subcommittee and serves on the Higher Education and Department of Corrections Subcommittees.
Gregory Wright (President, Log Cabin Republicans of Michigan): Gregory has worked in the political realm for a number of years, starting in small New York high school volunteering for his local congressman. He currently serves as President of Log Cabin Republicans of Michigan, Board Member of Michigan Equality, and member of the steering and dinner committees for the Human Rights Campaign and steering committee member for the Coalition for a Fair Michigan. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Michigan University and is currently pursuing his Masters of Public Administration with a focus on non profit management at Wayne State University. While not volunteering or at school Gregory does independent contractor work as a political advisor.
Michelle Brown (Governor, Human Rights Campaign): Michelle E. Brown is a community activist, advocate for youth empowerment, civil & gay rights activist, writer and businesswoman. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, she attended both parochial and public schools, graduating from Cass Technical High School. With a degree in Business Administration, she has had a successful career in the private sector including serving as Business Manager for the Michigan Catholic Newspaper, Accounting Manager for ATI/Schukra USA, Executive Director of the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corp. and Vocational Training Director with Cass Community Social Services. A published writer, her essays have been published in several newspapers and publications locally and nationally. She has been an annual lecturer in the U of D Mercy DS Continuum, and panelist for the American Studies Association. Besides writing and public speaking she also provides consulting services to non-profit organizations and small businesses. Currently her efforts as a community activist include serving on the Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign nationally and the Michigan Steering Committee, as co-chair for DETROIT SUMMER (a multicultural youth program/Movement), as treasurer Detroit Women’s Coffeehouse, on the steering committee for the Coalition for a Fair Michigan, on the steering committee for KICK – the Agency, and on the Board of Directors. She maintains memberships and supports the NAACP-Detroit Branch, NGLTF, Triangle Foundation, and National Black Justice Coalition.
Johnny Jenkins (Co-founder, Detroit Black Gay Pride): Johnny is a native Detroiter, born in Monroe, Louisiana. He has committed over ten years to community service nurturing pride in disenfranchised communities. He is a founding father and current Director of Detroit's annual black pride celebration, Hotter Than July (www. hotterthanjuly. com); Midwest Vice-President of the International Federation of Black Prides in Washington-DC; Co-producer of the historic town hall series at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Homophobia In Detroit; and Co-Host of the PicNap Poetry Series at Midtown Detroit's new Meetery Eatery cafe. Johnny is also the Creative Director/Owner of a Detroit-based design communication studio NoirAmerica (www. noiramerica. com). He is a grass-roots advocate for social justice and human rights. Given current times, his favorite quote is "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King Jr..
Andrea Knittel (Co-chair, Stonewall Democrats, UM Chapter): Andrea is currently co-chair of the University of Michigan Stonewall Democrats, the LGBT Caucus of the College Democrats, and chapter of the national Stonewall Student Network. She is currently a senior studying Spanish and Cellular, Molecular Biology, planning to enter an MD/PhD program next year. Andrea also volunteers in the WomenÂ’s Health Resource Center, is an active member of the LGBT Commission of the Michigan Student Assembly, and participates in the Office of LGBT Affairs Speakers Bureau.
Chris Swope (Executive Director, Michigan Equality): Chris is currently the Executive Director of Michigan Equality, a state-wide organization aimed at fighting discrimination against the LGBT community. Chris has served on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners as the Commissioner for District 4 (Central Lansing) since 2001. While on the BoC he has been named Chairperson and to the County Services and Law Enforcement Committees.
Moderator:
Dr. Wayne Wolfson, M. D.: No Wayne currently serves on the Michigan Human Rights Campaign Steering Committee and is volunteer chair of the Coalition for a Fair Michigan Speakers Bureau. Professionally he serves as a Board Member of the Ruth Ellis Center, Fellow for Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (1 of only 100 so recognized in all of U. S. and Canada), Board Examiner in Ultrasound for National Board of Radiology (1 of only 25 in all of U. S. and Canada), and serves as Senior Staff Radiologist at the Henry Ford Health System.
Special Guests:
David Wilson and Robert Compton: David and Rob were one of the seven plaintiff couples in the Goodridge vs. The Commonwealth of MA marriage case filed in April, 2001. On November 18, 2003, the Supreme Judicial Court of MA ruled that it was legal for same-sex couples to marry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The ruling took effect May 17, 2004. David and Rob were married on May 17, 2004 at the Arlington Street Church, Boston, MA. They were one of the first marriages in MA and likely the first legal church wedding in Ma.
Log Cabin Republicans nationwide represent a group of loyal Republicans who believe in low taxes, limited government, strong defense, free markets, personal responsibility, and individual liberty. Log Cabin represents an important part of the American family-taxpaying, hard working people who proudly believe in this nation's greatness. We also believe all Americans have the right to liberty, freedom, and equality. Log Cabin stands up against those who preach hatred and intolerance. We stand up for the idea that all Americans deserve to be treated equal-regardless of their sexual orientation.
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