Mayor Michael Nutter has established the Mayor’s Advisory Board on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs and appointed twenty two members to the Board.  Jason Crook of Philadelphia Home Art Garden (PHAG) and Elicia Gonzales of The Collective will serve as co-chairs.

“We have gathered together an extraordinary group of individuals who have long-served as advocates for LGBT communities and will now have a direct voice in the future and governance of this city,” said Mayor Nutter.  “The Advisory Board will work with Gloria Casarez, the City’s first ever Director of LGBT Affairs, to make sure that the needs of these communities are being met by their government.”  Gloria notes, “We have business leaders, health workers, youth and transgender advocates, and people who work everyday to ensure for the civil rights of LGBT people.  This group of community leaders has committed to work with us to help make Philadelphia a better City.”  

The Board was established by Executive Order 13-08 and will advise the Mayor and City officials on priorities for the LGBT communities and advocate for the implementation of the Mayor’s platform on LGBT issues.  The principle duties of the Board will be to identify and advise the administration on issues relating to public safety, education, health, economic development, City services, and civil rights of LGBT people.  The Board will work directly with the Office of LGBT Affairs.

Membership:

Jaci Adams is the founder and organizer of the People of Hope Trans Conference

Chris Alston is President of Philadelphia Black Gay Pride.

Chris Bartlett co-facilitates the Gay Men’s Leadership Academy.

Dr. Debra Blair is Assistant Professor at the Temple School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Jim Bryson is a youth advocate, founder of the Bryson Institute and the WillPower Project

Lee Carson is a public health researcher and is the Chair of the Black Gay Mens Leadership Council.

Jason Crook is owner of Philadelphia Home Art Garden (PHAG) and is Adjunct Professor of marketing at Philadelphia University’s School of Business Administration. (IBA Member)

Rick Feely is director of the Trans-health Information Project with Prevention Point Philadelphia.

Bill Gehrman is founder and President of the Independence Business Alliance.

Elicia Gonzales is Manager of The Collective, an HIV/AIDS program at Mazzoni Center.

Carrie Jacobs is Executive Director of the Attic Youth Center.

Michael Melvin is youth Case Worker at Gay And Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI).

Sabina Neem is Program Manager at the Asian Arts Initiative.

Soda Nobuhle is founder of the Womyn’s Village.

Duane Perry is founder of The Food Trust and member of the Board of Managers of the Philadelphia Foundation.

Franny Price is Director of Philly Pride Presents. (IBA Member)
       
Adriana Rivera is an event promoter and DJ.

Stacey Sobel is the former Executive Director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania and LGBT legal advocate.

Tami Sortman, is Vice President of Altus Group. (IBA Member)

Louis Thomas is Associate Professor of Management at Wharton School of Business.        
               
Dr. Robb Winn is Medical Director at the Mazzoni Center.

Bill Wood is owner of Knock restaurant and bar and is the former owner of Woody’s.