Simone Bell
District 58 - State House of Representatives

Bell is running for the recently vacated District 58 seat that serves portions of incorporated east-central Atlanta in both Fulton and DeKalb counties, plus adjacent portions of unincorporated DeKalb County. Bell, a native of Detroit, has been a resident of Atlanta for 20 years and of District 58 for 10 years. She is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and has spent the majority of her working life as a community organizer with local non-profit organizations.

Bell has worked as an activist and advocate in Atlanta and across the South for more than 20 years. “During that time I’ve worked on a broad range of policy and legislative issues. I’m passionate about taking overwhelming and complex information and making it accessible to the people whom it will affect most, that they might make informed choices about their everyday lives,” said Simone. “I believe in the voice of the people.”

Bell said her education and work in health care, and her experience advocating for women’s health, African American and LGBT rights at ZAMI, the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative and Lambda Legal have given her the tools and perspective to advocate on behalf of the residents of District 58. Bell will be the first openly gay African-American woman State Representative in the United States.

Lisa Borders
Atlanta Mayor

Borders, the current City Council President, stands out among a group of highly-qualified mayoral candidates running this year. The Georgia Equality Board of Directors found Borders to be the candidate with the best fluency and understanding of the issues important to LGBT Atlantans, as well as the candidate best-equipped to govern a city in need of a decisive leader with keen insight into public safety and municipal management.

Borders has shown strong leadership on LGBT issues throughout her tenure as City Council President, actively engaging LGBT business owners and working to help bring the Atlanta Pride Festival back to Piedmont Park in 2009. Further, after the Atlanta Police Department’s recent raid on The Atlanta Eagle bar, Borders forcefully called upon the APD to conduct a full investigation into the incident. Borders’ actions showed an unflinching dedication to professionalism and a willingness to question even those who have supported her, given that she had won the Atlanta police union’s endorsement only days before.

Borders’ strong backing for same-sex marriage and her ability to talk comprehensively about the needs of LGBT Atlantans stood out to the Georgia Equality Board of Directors. Borders has hired LGBT employees for her staff and appointed LGBT Atlantans to municipal positions.

Ceasar Mitchell
Atlanta City Council President

Mitchell is a current City Councilman At-Large, who once held the position of City Council President when the post was vacant for a short time. Mitchell has long worked to cultivate a strong relationship with LGBT Atlantans, attending various non-profit and civic engagements devoted to civil rights.

Ceasar Mitchell is strongly committed to protecting existing domestic-partner benefits for Atlanta city employees, while also working proactively to urge the state Legislature to pass anti-bullying legislation.

Mitchell also recognized that the city has room for improvement in how it supports transgender Atlantans through municipal policies, a topic on which Georgia Equality would like to see the entire city government focus more intensely in coming years.

Adam Brackman
Atlanta City Council – Post 1 At-Large

Adam Brackman is tired of watching his city deteriorate around him – he’s ready to fix things himself by seeking a seat on the Atlanta City Council.

Troubled by increases in crime, decreases in city services, and by residents losing their homes, Adam plans to use his experience in business and community service to help revitalize Atlanta. “As a community activist across the city in issues ranging from public safety to efficient government services, I believe I can use my experience in community service and my own work experience to help transform Atlanta back to its rightful place as the capital of the New South,” he said.

While Adam has worked for his community in a variety of ways, he has primarily worked in the issues of public safety and efficient government service delivery. After graduating from Atlanta Citizen’s Police Academy in 2008, he received the 2009 Outstanding Citizens’ CourtWatcher award for his participation in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Citizens’ CourtWatch program. He’s also worked with with AID Atlanta, CHIRS Kids, Hands on Atlanta, Jewish Family & Career Services and the Georgia Council on Child Abuse.

Adam’s professional experience will enable him to run Atlanta efficiently. He’s worked in both finance and human resources, with companies such as the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Northern Trust Retirement Consulting and First Data Corp. He currently works as an executive for IBM.

In addition, Adam has actively fought for LGBT recognition in the workplace. He is an active participant in IBM’s EAGLE (Employee Alliance for GLBT Empowerment at IBM) diversity network group, and also spent two years on the National Advisory Board of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, a non-profit advocacy group that works to make the workplace safe for GLBT employees.

Amir Farokhi
Atlanta City Council – Post 2 At-Large

Born and raised in Atlanta, Amir Farokhi spent his youth exploring downtown's canyons and the halls of Atlanta colleges, where his parents worked as educators at Georgia State University and Morris Brown College. It was from these experiences that Amir learned Atlanta's rich history and began to recognize that although Atlantans held different perspectives and needs, Atlantans were drawn to the city by the promise of more, not only for themselves, but also for the city itself. It is his belief that Atlanta can grow from a "brave and beautiful city" into an inspiring world-class city that calls Amir to public service today.

Amir Farokhi believes that Atlanta will flourish only if every one of its residents are treated equally. Atlanta’s LGBT community, one of the largest in the nation, contributes to every facet of Atlanta’s success. City Hall must work to protect and promote equality in Atlanta so that Atlanta leads the call for equality in Georgia.

Amir Farokhi will:

*call on the City to better promote its domestic partners registry.

*demand that the City only award contracts to companies that provide full benefits to domestic partners.

*call on the Mayor to appoint qualified LGBT residents to cabinet posts and department heads.

Shelitha Robertson
Atlanta City Council – Post 3 At-Large

For all of her adult life, Shelitha has been a devoted public servant. Her unwavering commitment to the city of Atlanta led her to serve as a police officer for 10 years. After completing law school, she continued serving the citizens as an assistant public defender entrusted with protecting the rights of indigent individuals charged with city ordinance violations and misdemeanor offenses.

Shelitha went on to become an assitant city attorney where she was responsible for drafting laws and resolutions for the city, advising city officials in matters that directly affect citizens and city government, litigating civil and administrative matters in Georgia's State and Appellate Courts.

She is a Grady baby educated in the Atlanta School System, (Price High) the mother of two, Latessa Renee and Sabrina Renee and an active member of the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church where she serves in the Trustee Ministry.

Carla Smith
Atlanta City Council – District 1

When Carla Smith landed in Atlanta she immediately got involved in her community, which at the time was slowly transitioning from a community of vacant and abandoned homes, drugs and other criminal activity to a very diverse community of families, singles, homeowners and renters. This grass roots activist currently continues to reside in the Woodland Hills community located in District One along with her husband Scott and their son Carl.

As a legislator, Carla has authored and co-authored some of the city’s most notable legislation. Including, Public Memorials, Truck and Bus Idling (15 minute law), Solid Waste Handling, prohibiting repair or servicing of motor vehicles on private property, Mattie’s call, and the BeltLine, Eastside, and Stadium Tax Allocation Districts (TAD). Carla’s heart for the environment influences the legislation that she author and supports.

Carla played an instrumental role in passing a law that prevented the city of Atlanta from discriminating against people living with HIV who were seeking a business license. Carla has recently stated that she will continue to advocate on behalf of the LGBT community, and she is accessible and always available to listen to any concerns and will continue to work hard for the district.

Kwanza Hall
Atlanta City Council – District 2

Kwanza Hall was elected to the Atlanta City Council in November 2005. He represents District 2, Atlanta’s most socio-economically and culturally diverse district. Rich in history and culture, the district includes Centennial Olympic Park, Sweet Auburn, the King Center and Carter Presidential Library, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, Atlantic Station, and Inman Park, the City’s first suburb.

Councilman Hall serves on the Finance/Executive, Transportation and Community Development committees. Before his election to City Council, he served three years on the Atlanta Board of Education. An Atlanta native, Kwanza is an alumnus of Benjamin E. Mays High School and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently the Director of Business Development for MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. Before joining MACTEC, he was Vice President of Technology for Ambassador Andrew Young’s GoodWorks International.

Felicia Moore
Atlanta City Council – District 9

Felicia A. Moore began her first term on the Atlanta City Council in 1997, and is currently in her third term representing District 9. She serves as Chair of the Committee on Council and is a member of the Finance/Executive and Transportation Committees.

During her tenure, she has been th Felicia A. Moore began her first term on the Atlanta City Council in 1997, and is currently in her third term representing District 9. She serves as Chair of the Committee on Council and is a member of the Finance/Executive and Transportation Committees. During her tenure, she has been the chair of the Community Development/Human Resources, Transportation and Finance/Executive Committees.

Felicia started her community service in 1991 when she purchased a home in the Riverside neighborhood. She served as President of the neighborhood association for several years, spearheading youth programs, crime-watch and beautification efforts. In 1995, she was elected Chair of Neighborhood Planning Unit-D becoming a community advocate for environmental, housing and economic development issues.

Moore has received numerous honors and awards including being listed in the 2005 edition of “Who’s Who in Black Atlanta,” “Outstanding Young Women in America” and “The Women Looking Ahead 100 List.” She has also been recognized by the Atlanta Business League as one of “Atlanta’s Top 100 Women of Influence.”

Joyce Sheperd
Atlanta City Council – District 12

Councilmember Joyce Sheperd serves "Real People, With Real Problems, Getting Real Results" and as your personal connection to government and a voice for the residents in District 12. As a long time resident in District 12, she has a vested interest in keeping your community safe, clean and moving forward because your community is her community.

While the experience with Zales pushed Sheperd to speak out against injustice, Sheperd answered the civil call of action when she relocated to District 12 in 1978. Sheperd purchased her home on Metropolitan Parkway (formerly Stewart Avenue) with her daughter Maisha, and immediately became involved with the Atlanta Public School System and the PTA. She also noticed the ills that plagued her neighborhood and vowed to do whatever she could to bring about change in her own community.

Rosemarie Nelson
Clarkston Mayor

As a member of the Clarkston City Council in January 2009, Rosemarie Nelson sponsored legislation to ban discrimination against city workers on the basis of sexual orientation. Before officially introducing the legislation, Nelson told the council that adding sexual orientation protections would “demonstrate to our citizens, partners, vendors and potential partners our ‘big heart’ sensitively to the issues regarding protected classes and forward thinking.” The legislation passed in February 2009.

Rosemarie on why she is now running for Mayor of Clarkston: "I am running for Mayor, because I see Clarkston as a jewel of a town w\limitless potential that has yet to be unearthed and polished. As a resident of this city, what happens within it affects me as well as you. I wholly support our law enforcement, public works and administrative staff. I would like to complete our infrastructure projects, see more community and business involvement, and transparency in government. I want to see a healthier Clarkston with a stronger economic and social climate."

Kyle Williams
Decatur City Commissioner

At the age of 32, Kyle is already an accomplished community leader. He has held leadership positions on groups like the Red Clay Democrats and Generation Green. In addition, Kyle served on Georgia Equality’s Board of Directors from 2004 to 2007, eventually serving as president his final year.

The public has taken notice of Kyle’s accomplishments. As an attorney for The Bloom Law Firm, Kyle has been recognized three times as a Georgia “Rising Star” in Litigation, Land Use and Zoning by Georgia “Super Lawyer” and Atlanta Magazine. Southern Voice named him one of the top 20 young gay leaders in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Kyle hopes to modernize Decatur and bring innovation to the City Commission. However, his reason he seeks this seat is because of his devotion to his fellow community members. For example, on one humid summer night, Kyle met Mayor Emeriti Elizabeth Wilson because of his concern for the senior citizens in his neighborhood who had no air conditioning. Working with friends, neighbors, and the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association, Mayor Wilson (who now supports Kyle’s campaign) helped him distribute dozens of new fans to those in South Decatur most in need.

Kyle has received the endorsement of Georgia Equality, Victory Fund, Log Cabin Republicans, and Stonewall Democrats.

Brian Bates
Doraville City Council

Brian Bates is the only openly gay elected Republican in the South. When Brian won a seat on the Doraville City Council in 2007, he marked a very big milestone in a rather small town.

Since his election, he has worked with Georgia Equality and Lambda Legal to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s non-discrimination policy.

“Doraville has a large LGBT population in the city and we want to be representative of our diverse groups. We also want to attract the very best employees,” he told the Southern Voice.

Brian is a former board member of Georgia Equality and serves on the advisory board of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans. In addition to his work for the LGBT community, Brian facilitated the revision of Doraville’s zoning ordinances, planned Doraville’s first city-wide event and established a new LEED ordinance that makes Doraville one of the first certified environmentally sustainable towns in Georgia.

Professionally, Brian is the co-owner and principal of The Laurus Group, a professional consulting group that specializes in fundraising and annual communication plans for non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on fraternal organizations. He is also in charge of Doraville's annual Police Appreciation Day.

Brian’s work on the city council has established him as a capable leader who is comfortable being honest with his community. Help him win another term on the Doraville City Council.

Kenneth DeLeon
East Point City Council - Ward C At-Large

"I have spoken with many East Point residents and one thing is loud and clear. The voters of this city don't want us airing our dirty laundry to the rest of the world, but they do want to see us roll up our sleeves, listen, and work toward common goals for the city. The things residents want:

* Fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency
* A high level of public safety
* Clean neighborhoods
* Downtown development and smart growth
* Improved roads and sidewalks
* Lush green spaces
* Numerous after school activities for children
* Well maintained city gateways and rights-of-way
* Courteous and efficient basic city services

I will work to build consensus with the Mayor and other council members to set progressive, efficient and productive policies to address these needs. I will use my business, professional and personal experiences, so that together we accomplish these goals. I will do my very best to provide oversight while being careful not to micro-manage.

Together, we can make a difference and move East Point forward."

Megan Pulsts
Pine Lake City Council

"I want to serve on City Council because Pine Lake has a sense of community like no place I have ever been. The wonderful people here have given us so much, and serving on Council is one way I can make this city even better. My training in law and policy make me unique among the present candidates and current councilmembers, and I look forward to using those skills as part of the team helping Pine Lake grow and thrive.

My interests are all locally based: accountability of our local employees and officials, education of our children, land use that is both sustainable and economically responsible, and helping to ensure that being born into a disadvantaged group or family does not define you for the rest of your life.

I was raised in a very progressive-minded family (including a lesbian mother), and have found the same open-minded environment here in Pine Lake. LGBT families aren’t any different from the heterosexual families in town, and I treasure that about Pine Lake. As the non-LGBT voters should, LGBT voters should support my candidacy because my legal training and history of community activism make me unique among the current candidates, and I will use my training to make this an even better place to live for all citizens of Pine Lake."

Megan Pulsts