Just a regular guy, who's been fortunate to have had some great teachers and guides throughout my life, going after some dreams and trying to make the world a better place.
ABOUT ME:
I grew up in a really big and really supportive Catholic family. I was your typical "Best Little Boy in the World" - President of my high school - "Teen of the Year" for the county (2 years in a row) - Most Likely to Succeed -- basically a parent's wet dream.
I went to the University of Florida (GO GATORS!!!) where I was president of my fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau and active in active in campus politics. Oh yea, and I dated a lot of women, even though it was pretty well known that I was planning to become a Priest. When I graduated, I stopped the interview process to enter the Seminary and came out of the closet to my family and friends.
That year I moved to Washington to get involved in the national gay movement. I served on the National Steering Committee for the 1993 March on Washington and was hired to do field and then communicaitons work for the Human Rights Campaign. I produced a nationally syndicated public access television show for HRCF, but my hallmark on the organization was putting HRC online.
Our award winning online action center set the standard for Internet lobbying in America, but the most rewarding experience I had during my 9 years of service to the staff, was organizing the online community response to Matthew Shepard's murder. It's moments like that which galvanize your love for what you do, and the difference you can make in the world.
I left HRC to start a professional association for Internet Political Strategists and then strated my own consulting firm.
MY PERSONALITY PARADOX:
Outside -- Traditional , Masculine, Dynamic, Pragmatic, Funny/Goofy
Inside -- Unorthodox, Creative, Introspective, Idealistic, Intense/Driven
MY HEROES:
I save this category for people I've loved who've left us.
Angela Attey
My Grandmother was literally a saint and taught me so much about what it means to love and what it is to be family. I love her so much and miss her every day. If you ever knew her, you'd feel the same way.
Steven Endean
Steve was my political hero and (the last year he was with us) my old roommate. Steve Endean was the first lobbyist to work full time on gay rights in Washington. He came to DC to start a group called the Gay Rights Natonal Lobby, which is now officially named the Human Rights Campaign. Steve is unquestionably the most accomplished activst in our movement's history -- sadly though he's rarely ever talked about, or given the credit and honor he deserves. If you'd like to find out more about Steve and how our national movement began, I encourage you to read his book, Bringing Lesbian And Gay Rights into the Mainstream: Twenty Years of Progress
Randy Klose
Randy was one of those bright lights. Heir to the Dairy Queen empire (his mother was still alive so he remained to the end, the "Dairy Princess") he not only funded the seed money for the initial national effort to fight HIV/AIDS, but was always ready to do whatever hard work was needed, was always going out of his way to make sure everyone involved felt like a dear part of his family. Our world needs more Randys!
WHO I WANT TO MEET:
Great guys (and cool women) who can keep up (and put up) with me -- and maybe one special man, who can make waking up with him each morning, worth listening to him snore all night long.
Shoot me a note if you want to know anything else. And if my profile has moved you at all, find a national group that reflects your values and concerns and join it. Too few in our community are involved in our efforts for equality.
