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| Randi Romo |
Randi
M. Romo is a
Passionate-Radical-Chicana-Activist-WordSlinging-ArtMaking-Queer-Warrior-Woman...who
is trying hard to be a part of the change that she wants to see in
the world. Randi is the co-founder and current director of the
Center for Artistic Revolution, CAR,
based in Little Rock, AR.
CAR
is an inclusive, multi-issued, statewide grassroots community
organization that is building a progressive justice movement in
Arkansas. CAR utilizes a holistic combination of education,
community organizing, advocacy and creative/cultural work as its
vehicle for creating change.
The organizations current focus includes
foremost the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)
community's fairness and equality issues, removing the use of
American Indian imagery as a mascot for Arkansas State University,
youth support and leadership development, support of immigrant
communities and creating an entity to receive and determine civil
rights complaints in the state.
CAR
is also a key part of a collaborative effort organizing to stop a
proposed ballot initiative by Jerry Cox and the Family Council that
if passed will constitutionally ban gays and lesbians from being
adoptive and/or foster parents in 2008..
Randi's first act of activism was at age 17
when she organized other girls at a residential school in Corpus
Christi, Texas to shut the school down for its physical and
emotional violence against those in its care. She has worked in the
southeast for over 20 years on a variety of issues including; LGBTQ
rights, immigrant communities, pesticides, farm workers, HIV/AIDS,
youth/young adults, workers and women. Randi is also a poet, spoken
word artist, writer, visual artist, bookworm and loves the outdoors.
Along with CAR and its allies, Randi and her
granddaughter Devon played a prominent role in the defeat of SB 959,
the bill in the last legislative session that would have banned
lesbians and gays from adoption and/or foster care.
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| Chris Hannon |
Chris Hannon is an
unsung hero in the Northwest Arkansas GLBT Community. He works
tirelessly for the
Northwest Arkansas GLBT Community Center through the NWA
Positive Links Buddy Program and as a board member. Chris started
the Buddy Program from the ground up in August 2006 as a peer to
peer support group for people who are living with HIV and AIDS. The
Buddy Program, beyond peer to peer support, provides members with
the latest information on HIV and AIDS, food bank, help with chores,
transportation, friendship, communication, personal visits and other
resources for living a positive life. A 25 year survivor of HIV
himself, Chris demonstrates what can be done with a positive
attitude.
So with an unanimous
vote, it is our greatest pleasure to select Chris Hannon as our
Grand Marshal for the 2008 NWA Pride Parade on June 28th, 2008
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| Reitans |
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| Daniel Karslake |
Randi and Phil Reitan Randi and Phil Reitan from Mankato, Minnesota
have four children. Their youngest son, Jacob, is gay. When Jacob
came out to them 10 years ago, their eyes were opened to the
discrimination the gay community faces. They followed Jacob's lead
and became gay rights activists. The Reitan family are featured in
the award winning documentary,
For the Bible Tells Me So. They have been active members of
Soulforce, Phil is on their board of directors and Jacob was the
first young adult director. Jacob is now a student at Harvard
Divinity School. He founded the Equality Ride and the Right to Serve
Campaign.
Daniel Karslake is the producer, director, and writer of "For the Bible Tells Me So." For six years, Daniel Karslake has been an award-winning producer for the highly acclaimed newsmagazine, “In the Life,” which airs nationally on PBS in over 120 markets. Recognition for his outstanding work for the show, which has centered primarily on issues regarding religion and homosexuality, includes an Emmy nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as praise from GLAAD and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.
Daniel Karslake is the producer, director, and writer of "For the Bible Tells Me So." For six years, Daniel Karslake has been an award-winning producer for the highly acclaimed newsmagazine, “In the Life,” which airs nationally on PBS in over 120 markets. Recognition for his outstanding work for the show, which has centered primarily on issues regarding religion and homosexuality, includes an Emmy nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as praise from GLAAD and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.
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| Will Phillips |
Will stated, "I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all, ” when thinking about the pledge. He was referring to GLBT people who don't have the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. Despite peer pressure from his classmates, he refuses to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance until their is liberty and justice for all. Will has the complete support of his parents, so we could not mention Will without mentioning them.
NWA Pride has been honored with the participation of Will and his family during a three of our past NWA Pride Parades. Will received a unanimous vote for grand marshal.
News Links:
http://www.arktimes.com/articles/articleviewer.aspx?ArticleID=2f5d7a3b-c72a-446b-8d20-3823aa79c021
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/12/10-year-old-wont-pledge-a_n_355709.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOcAWn7Rp9s
http://randazza.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/will-phillips-age-10-first-amendment-bad-ass/
http://www.watermarkonline.com/index.php/living/lgbt-living/3738-LGBT-equality-heart--year-olds-heroic-pledge-decision.html
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| Michael Walsh |
After a long career in newspaper, magazine and book publishing (and with semi-retirement in mind), Michael moved from Chicago to Eureka Springs in 2006. Within months, however, he helped to launch the campaign to obtain official Eureka Springs recognition for both same- sex and opposite-sex Domestic Partners. Writing and researching tirelessly on the topic, he also distributed petitions door-to-door and sought endorsements from business, churches and civil rights organizations. Eventually, the Eureka Springs City Council voted unanimously to lawfully establish a Domestic Partnership Registry which has attracted GLBT and straight couples from 55 communities in the state and 15 other states.
He has also worked to promote Eureka Springs as a gay-friendly travel destination, generating widespread regional and national media coverage for the city’s three annual Diversity Weekends.
Over the course of 20 years, he wrote a syndicated column that appeared monthly in more than 200 American newspapers. He worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in Florida, Texas, Ohio and, after a three-year stint as an editor at Metropolitan Home magazine, eventually became an editor at the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. In 1983, he became a freelance writer and editor, specializing in home design topics for Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and other national shelter magazines.
He was born in Pontiac, Michigan in 1949 and was graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication in 1971.