Community Engagement: PRIDEnet
At PRIDEnet, we engage LGBTQ+ communities to participate in health research.
PRIDEnet is a national network of individuals and organizations that actively engage our community in every stage of how LGBTQ+ health research is created, analyzed, and shared from The PRIDE Study. Through our Community Partners and an advisory group of health care specialists known as the Participant Advisory Committee (PAC), PRIDEnet builds on decades of work by activists, health advocates, service providers, and researchers to improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities.
PRIDEnet is funded by Stanford University and staffed by Carolyn Hunt, Micah Lubensky, Mahri Bahati, Ana Rescate, and Zubin Dastur.
As a participant, PRIDEnet works to ensure your annual participation with the study is an enjoyable experience:
Access
We want you to be included. Many LGBTQ+ people have difficulty accessing adequate care and achieving optimal health because of a long history of discrimination, stigma, and medical neglect. Many are also marginalized from health care due to other bias related to age, race and ethnicity, language, class, or legal status.
PRIDEnet wants to know about these experiences in a way most accessible for you. That is why joining The PRIDE Study can be done by telephone or on any web-enabled device (computer, tablet, or smartphone).
Belonging
We want you to feel welcome. Coming out, many LGBTQ+ people experience rejection from families, friends, and society. Despite these challenges, we remain resilient. Our communities possess a hard-earned wisdom from never backing down in the face of adversity.
PRIDEnet seeks to actively incorporate your input to help doctors and researchers develop a better understanding of the physical, mental, and social health needs of our communities.
Meaningful participation
We want you to be heard. Like many other groups, the voices of LGBTQ+ people have been left out of research. Where research has included us in the past, results oftentimes stigmatized us further or were used to the detriment of our community. As a result, we know less about our health and ways to provide the best care. PRIDEnet strives to engage your voices in an intentional way by seeking, collecting, and incorporating input from our Community Partners and PAC members.
Our strategic values:
In catalyzing LGBTQ+ health research, how we do our work is as important to us as what we do.
1
We develop give-and-take relationships.
As participants, we want you to benefit from our study as much as our projects benefit from your input.
2
We recognize complex identities and communities.
We respect that many of you belong to multiple communities and hold many identities.
3
We create equity.
Each of our communities have unique health experiences and needs. Our goal is to work with you in the most appropriate way and not in the same way.
4
We create transparency.
We want you to know what we’re up to and strive to communicate openly and clearly.
PRIDEnet Participant Advisory Committee (PAC)
Ward Carpenter, MD
Ward Carpenter, MD
Dr. Ward Carpenter is a Board--Certified Internist and expert in HIV medicine, transgender medicine, and LGBT primary care. He earned his medical degree from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where he first discovered his passion for community health. He did his residency training in Medicine-Pediatrics at St Vincent’s Hospital in New York City. Following his passion for LGBT health and care for the underserved, he worked at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in NY, one of the premier LGBT health centers in the country. Dr. Carpenter then transitioned into private practice, taking over a busy HIV and primary care practice in Manhattan. Seeking an escape from NY’s long winters, Dr. Carpenter moved to Los Angeles in 2013 and returned to his LGBT community health roots, accepting a position as the Director of Primary Care at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. In this role, he continues to expand and optimize the Center’s offerings in primary care, HIV treatment and prevention, and transgender health.
Loree Cook-Daniels, MS
Loree Cook-Daniels, MS
Loree Cook-Daniels, FORGE’s Policy and Program Director, has helped design and co-facilitate FORGE’s multiple in-person and virtual support groups, research studies, and programs since 2000. She has been involved in advocacy, research, training, and services for LGBT populations since 1975, and is nationally-known for her writing, training, and policy work on LGBT aging, trauma and trauma recovery, and transgender issues. She co-chairs the Policy Committee of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs and serves on the National LGBT Aging Roundtable. Cook-Daniels holds a B.A. in women’s studies and history, an M.S. in conflict management, and a post-graduate Certificate in trauma counseling.
Laura Durso, PhD
Laura Durso, PhD
Laura E. Durso is Vice President of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress. Using public health and intersectional frameworks, she focuses on the health and well-being of LGBT communities, data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, and improving the social and economic status of LGBT people through public policy.
Prior to joining the Center for American Progress, Laura was a public policy fellow at the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, where she conducted research on the LGBT community, including LGBT homeless and at-risk youth, poor and low-income LGBT people, and the business impact of LGBT-supportive policies. Earlier in her career, Laura conducted research on the health impact of weight-based discrimination. Her research has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, including Sexuality Research and Social Policy, Obesity, and the International Journal of Eating Disorders, and she has presented her work at both national and international conferences.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Prior to joining the Center for American Progress, Laura was a public policy fellow at the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, where she conducted research on the LGBT community, including LGBT homeless and at-risk youth, poor and low-income LGBT people, and the business impact of LGBT-supportive policies. Earlier in her career, Laura conducted research on the health impact of weight-based discrimination. Her research has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, including Sexuality Research and Social Policy, Obesity, and the International Journal of Eating Disorders, and she has presented her work at both national and international conferences.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Richard Greene, MD, MHPE
Richard Greene, MD, MHPE
Richard E. Greene is an Associate Professor of Medicine at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Greene serves as the Faculty Director of Health Disparities Education at NYU School of Medicine through the Office of Diversity Affairs, and in this role oversees the inclusion of Bias, Diversity, Health Disparities, and LGBTQ topics into the culture and curriculum of NYU’s medical center and educational programs. An active and passionate medical educator, Dr. Greene is also an Associate Program Director of the Primary Care Residency Program and presents extensively on many Primary Care topics including the musculoskeletal physical exam, foundations of primary care medicine and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender healthcare disparities. He also serves as an Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine/Primary Care Residency Program where he teaches on general primary care topics, musculoskeletal medicine, bias, and health disparities. Dr. Greene is the Medical Director for the Pride Health Center at NYC H+H/Bellevue Hospital. Dr. Greene also lectures on a national scale on the topic of LGBTQ Health Care Disparities and Transgender Health. Dr. Greene serves as the Medical Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) through NYU’s Global Institute of Public Health. He also serves on the Board of Directors of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality.
Porsha Hall, MPH, MA
Porsha Hall, MPH, MA
Porsha Hall is the Program Manager for Health and Wellness at Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE), where she oversees and evaluates the health management, exercise, and nutrition programming for the organization's five senior centers located throughout New York City. At SAGE, she also assisted with the evaluation of the nation’s first federally-funded National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. She has worked in the fields of aging and health education for over a decade, conducting gerontological health research in academic institutions, providing case management to homebound older adults, and working as a fitness consultant for community-dwelling retirees. She holds an MPH in Community Health Education from Hunter College and an MA in Gerontology from Georgia State University.
Tari Hanneman, MPA
Tari Hanneman, MPA
Tari Hanneman is the Director of the Health Equality Project at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. In this role she oversees the annual LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) and other projects related to LGBTQ health and aging.
Tari has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, primarily focused in the areas of health and women’s issues. Prior to joining HRC, she served as the initial Director of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem where she led all aspects of developing The Fund’s programs and brand in the community. Prior to her move to North Carolina, she served in a number of roles at The California Endowment, one of the nation's largest health foundations. She has also worked for elected officials and non-profits focused on the environment, reproductive rights and HIV. She has a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management from the University of Southern California, where she also did her undergraduate work.
Tari has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, primarily focused in the areas of health and women’s issues. Prior to joining HRC, she served as the initial Director of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem where she led all aspects of developing The Fund’s programs and brand in the community. Prior to her move to North Carolina, she served in a number of roles at The California Endowment, one of the nation's largest health foundations. She has also worked for elected officials and non-profits focused on the environment, reproductive rights and HIV. She has a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management from the University of Southern California, where she also did her undergraduate work.
Shalonda Ingram
Shalonda Ingram
Leveraging decades of experience, Shalonda Ingram is an innovator who embodies the mantra: Strategize. Design. Produce.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Shalonda is committed to cultivating collective consciousness and empowering communities to take actions that transform their circumstances. Shalonda has deployed worldwide to produce transformative experiences with artists, activists, and changemakers. Native to grassroots activism, Shalonda serves social justice, spiritual, and corporate organizations to explore network effect and elevate opportunities for resource sharing. Shalonda influences existing structures to create collaborative environments for communities to thrive. Shalonda is honored to serve Queer+ Communities in the areas of arts presenting, wellness research, placemaking and enterprise development.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Shalonda is committed to cultivating collective consciousness and empowering communities to take actions that transform their circumstances. Shalonda has deployed worldwide to produce transformative experiences with artists, activists, and changemakers. Native to grassroots activism, Shalonda serves social justice, spiritual, and corporate organizations to explore network effect and elevate opportunities for resource sharing. Shalonda influences existing structures to create collaborative environments for communities to thrive. Shalonda is honored to serve Queer+ Communities in the areas of arts presenting, wellness research, placemaking and enterprise development.
Gabe Murchison, MPH
Gabe Murchison, MPH
Gabe is a doctoral student in Population Health Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research interests include mental health and substance use among LGBTQ youth, and the primary prevention of sexual and dating violence in teens and young adults. Previously, Gabe was Senior Research Manager at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, where his publications included Supporting & Caring For Transgender Children, a guide co-published with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians; and Preventing Substance Use Among LGBTQ Teens, co-published with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. He holds a BA in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Yale University.
Tonia Poteat, PhD, PA-C, MPH
Tonia Poteat, PhD, PA-C, MPH
Tonia Poteat is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a joint appointment in the Department of International Health. Her research, teaching, and practice focus on HIV and LGBT health with particular attention to transgender health. She completed her doctoral dissertation on stigma, HIV risk, and access to health care for transgender adults, co-authored a global meta-analysis examining the burden of HIV among transgender women worldwide, and is lead author of a comprehensive review of HIV among transgender sex workers in The Lancet HIV and Sex Workers series. In addition to her academic work, she provides medical care for people living with HIV at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Poteat graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1991 and received a Masters of Medical Science from Emory University’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program in 1995. She earned a Masters of Public Health from Rollins School of Public Health in 2007 and completed a PhD in the Social and Behavioral Interventions Program in the Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2012. During her 20 years as a PA, she has devoted her practice to providing medically appropriate and culturally competent care to members of the LGBT community as well as people living with HIV. Dr. Poteat is a certified HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine; and she has provided primary care for trans-identified individuals since 1996.
Dr. Poteat graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1991 and received a Masters of Medical Science from Emory University’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program in 1995. She earned a Masters of Public Health from Rollins School of Public Health in 2007 and completed a PhD in the Social and Behavioral Interventions Program in the Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2012. During her 20 years as a PA, she has devoted her practice to providing medically appropriate and culturally competent care to members of the LGBT community as well as people living with HIV. Dr. Poteat is a certified HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine; and she has provided primary care for trans-identified individuals since 1996.
Asa Radix, MD, MPH, MPhil
Asa Radix, MD, MPH, MPhil
Dr. Asa Radix is trained in internal medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Connecticut, and also holds postgraduate qualifications in tropical medicine and public health. Previously Dr. Radix held the position of Associate Medical Director at Callen-Lorde. In addition to having a clinical practice (HIV primary care and transgender health), Asa coordinates electives in LGBT health for medical and nursing students and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU and Yale.
Dr. Radix is of West Indian origin and has a special interest in the needs of LGBT populations of immigrant status. For 7 years, Asa was the director of a public health department in the Netherlands Antilles and assisted in the development of insular strategic plans for HIV prevention as well as federal guidelines for communicable disease prevention. Other positions prior to Callen-Lorde have included being the medical director at the University of Hartford, serving a population of 5,000 undergraduates under 24 years of age and being an infectious disease specialist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. A major focus of Dr. Radix’ work has been the development and dissemination of prevention, treatment and care guidelines for HIV+ and at-risk persons in the Caribbean including provision of LGBT cultural competency training to Caribbean healthcare providers.
Dr. Radix is an associate editor of Transgender Health and member of the editorial boards for the International Journal of Transgenderism and the PRN Notebook. Other contributions include being a consultant for the World Health Organization/PAHO on transgender health issues and the co-chair of the WHO/PAHO HIV/STI technical advisory committee. Dr. Radix is the site-PI/co-investigator for 3 NIH/NIMH studies, including a demonstration project on PrEP.
Dr. Radix is of West Indian origin and has a special interest in the needs of LGBT populations of immigrant status. For 7 years, Asa was the director of a public health department in the Netherlands Antilles and assisted in the development of insular strategic plans for HIV prevention as well as federal guidelines for communicable disease prevention. Other positions prior to Callen-Lorde have included being the medical director at the University of Hartford, serving a population of 5,000 undergraduates under 24 years of age and being an infectious disease specialist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. A major focus of Dr. Radix’ work has been the development and dissemination of prevention, treatment and care guidelines for HIV+ and at-risk persons in the Caribbean including provision of LGBT cultural competency training to Caribbean healthcare providers.
Dr. Radix is an associate editor of Transgender Health and member of the editorial boards for the International Journal of Transgenderism and the PRN Notebook. Other contributions include being a consultant for the World Health Organization/PAHO on transgender health issues and the co-chair of the WHO/PAHO HIV/STI technical advisory committee. Dr. Radix is the site-PI/co-investigator for 3 NIH/NIMH studies, including a demonstration project on PrEP.
Ramón Ramirez
Ramón Ramirez
Ramón Ramirez has been working with the community for over 25 years in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ramón has worked with many communities such as: monolingual Spanish speaking, LGBTQI, African American, Transgender, homeless, drug user and other. With a long experience as an HIV testing and prevention counselor, clinical health educator, entertainer and activist in the community, Ramón has been able to experience firsthand the disparities these communities experience from both sides of the spectrum. Ramón works for a large medical provider company as a Clinical Health Educator helping patients by providing education on safer sex, PrEP, weight management, diabetes diagnosis and healthy habits among other topics. Ramón wants to bring to the table experience living as a gay Mexican American and active community member.
Javier Ríos, MA
Javier Ríos, MA
Javier Ríos was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a New Mexican of diverse Irish, Mexican, and LGBTQ background. Javier joined UNM Truman Health Services in the Manzano School Based Health Center as the Health Educator in October 2016, bringing 11 years of non-profit and government experience focused in health equity, HIV/AIDS prevention, harm reduction, immigrant health, and cultural humility. In 2017 and 2013 Javier participated in the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission program Líderes a través de las Fronteras/Leaders across Borders addressing binational and border health. Since 2005 Javier has worked in HIV/AIDS prevention with LGBTQ+ communities of color focusing in community organizing, outreach, and education. His community recognitions include the 2013 Pride and Equality Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope Award, the 2012 NMCPAG Kahlo Benavidez Leadership Award, and service as a 2012 HIV/AIDS Embajador/Ambassador for the National Latino AIDS Action Network at the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C. Currently Javier is the Communications Chair of the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities Region VI Southwest RHEC, as well as the co-chair for the Immigrant Committee of the City of Santa Fe. Javier earned his M.A. in Spanish: Southwest Studies from the University of New Mexico in 2005 where he taught Spanish as a Heritage Language. Javier received his B.A. from Creighton University in 2001. Javier is excited to be a part of The PRIDE Study team that cultivates health awareness of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
PRIDEnet Ambassadors
Louie Francesco / 瑠威 明 Francesco
LGBT DISABILITY ACTIVIST, SPEAKER
TRANSLATOR
Between English & Japanese
Louie Francesco / 瑠威 明 Francesco
Full Name: 瑠威 (Louie) 明 (Akira) Blaise Francesco
Gender: Trans Man
Condition:
Autistic Spectrum Condition (In Britain, it’s called a condition, rather than disorder)
Also struggling with Autistic Catatonia
Also Colorblind for most colors
Translator: Between English & Japanese
Ever since he was 5, Louie has been a loyal Seattle Mariners fan. Louie is from Eastern Asia but grew up all over the world—including England, New Zealand, S. Korea, and Canada—but most of his time was spent in Michigan, with brief experience in Kentucky. Louie has been heavily involved in Call To Action (cta-usa.org) on Young Adult Leadership and as a board member for CTA's Vision Council. Louie also worked as with young adult leadership for Dignity USA.
Jamison Green, PhD
CONSULTANT
Transgender Strategies Consulting, LLC
Jamison Green, PhD
Jamison Green, Ph.D. (Equalities Law), M.F.A. (Creative Writing) is an author/educator/activist specializing in equitable and appropriate healthcare access, workplace issues, and social safety for transgender and gender-nonconforming people. He transitioned from female to male in 1988 when he was 40 years old and has been a transgender policy thought leader in the U.S. since 1992, though he started pushing the queer and non-binary envelope in 1966. He has encouraged trans people and their friends and families and inspired activists, artists, and writers globally through film, print, and speaking appearances since 1996 with the global release of the documentary “You Don’t Know Dick.” While working in corporate management positions for 30 years, he has also served on numerous non-profit governing boards and is a former elected President of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), having served a total of 15 years on the board of that Association. Through his consulting firm, Transgender Strategies Consulting, LLC (aka Jamison Green & Associates), he has advised businesses ranging from small shops to multi-national corporations, as well as government agencies and educational institutions, on respectful equality for trans and gender-nonconforming people as employees, clients, and customers. His award-winning book, Becoming a Visible Man, (2004, Vanderbilt University Press) chronicles the rise of trans men’s community consciousness and (in)visibility. He has published numerous scholarly articles and received many awards. He is currently working on several new books (both fiction and non-fiction) and consults part-time. He also enjoys doing occasional expert witness work in employment discrimination litigation on behalf of trans and non-binary people. A native of Oakland, CA, he lives with his wife in Vancouver, Washington, and is the proud father of two adult children.
Scott Lumry
Scott Lumry
Mr. Lumry is presently being clocked at age 60+. He is a gay man and recent widow. He and his husband have maintained good and honest relationships with their health care providers, from physical therapists to primary care physicians, and all providers in between. Mr. Lumry brings a passion for making more resources workable for our LGBTQ+ members and their families who live in rural communities.
Daryl Mangosing, MPH
DOCTORAL STUDENT, PUBLIC HEALTH
UC Berkeley
Daryl Mangosing, MPH
Daryl Mangosing, MPH is currently a graduate student in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the University of California Berkeley. Prior, he has worked for over three and a half years at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) and Prevention Research Center (PRC) in the Division of Prevention Science at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), where he drove communication efforts and disseminated HIV prevention and public health research. As a queer Filipino-American born and raised on the island of Guam, he pursued his health sciences degree at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky with a full-tuition scholarship in 2013. Afterwards, he attended Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated in 2015 with an MPH, concentrating in health communication. During his time at Tufts, he served as a Research Coordinator for the former Center for Global Public Health, Teaching Assistant in mobile health design, and Consultant at the Harvard School of Public Health. He then relocated to the Bay Area to work full-time at UCSF CAPS/PRC. Daryl is dedicated to supporting local queer events and community efforts, particularly those pertaining to Asian and Pacific Islanders and his fellow people of color. Daryl’s research interests lie within the intersection of LGBTQ health disparities, identity and intersectionality, community engagement, and public health discourse.
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Raisa S. Negrón
Raisa S. Negrón
Raisa S. Negrón earned a BA in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She has spent the majority of her career as a sexuality educator teaching and improving the sexual health needs of many individuals working with non-profits, private sector and as a consultant. With 20 years of experience, Raisa shares that body image, sexual expression, including our overall health are inter- connected and an integral part of who we are. Acknowledging our individual culture plays a role, too. When these are in alignment, and we have un-learned negative behaviors, we begin to feel more satisfaction with our bodies and ourselves. Raisa currently works in HIV prevention, specifically adolescent health, LGBTQ* youth, along with persons struggling with tobacco, alcohol, other substance misuse to improve their health outcomes. Raisa speaks Spanish, is a qualified medical interpreter and trainer in the healthcare industry.
Hanh Nguyen
Hanh Nguyen
Hanh Nguyen was born and raised in San Jose, California. As the daughter of refugee parents, she experienced disparities in health and privilege which motivate her to pursue a career at the intersection of medicine, public health, and social justice. She attended the University of California Davis where she graduated with a BS in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. She returned to San Jose to work in education, health engagement, and outreach among the community she grew up in. She is now gaining clinical experience while working as a scribe at a hospital and health center. In her free time, she practices yoga, reads, eats, and helps facilitate a community for queer Christians.
Nancy VanReece
COUNCILMEMBER
Nashville and Davidson County Metro
VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Batch Nashville, LLC
Nancy VanReece
Nancy VanReece is the first openly out lesbian elected to a legislative body in the State of Tennessee. She is the Nashville and Davidson County Metro Councilmember responsible for surging popularity and citizen activism in District 8, which includes parts of North Inglewood, Maplewood, and Madison. She served as Chair of the Convention, Tourism Committee and is now Vice-Chair of the Parks, Libraries & Arts Committee. She is an At-Large Board Member of the National League of Cities Local Officials constituency group and was appointed by the Mayor's Office onto the Metro Nashville Diversity Advisory Council.
The Victory Institute says this: "Each day since Council Member VanReece has been a tireless champion for the people of Nashville’s 8th District – laser-focused on bringing regional investments and opportunity to her constituents."
Hon. Nancy VanReece is also the Vice President of Business Development at Batch Nashville, LLC.—a brand builder and advocate that concentrates on client experience—and is a national speaker on issues such as online marketing, social media communications, and branding. In 2015 she was added as a speaker to the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs.
VanReece was also a trailblazer for more than 25 years in the music business and was the 2017 recipient for the Stein Award for Public Leadership in the Arts, awarded by the Nashville Arts Coalition.. She served as the Executive Director/CEO of The Nashville Shakespeare Festival from 2007-2009; the first Senior Director of Partnership Development at Cool People Care, Inc.; and as a strategist for GivingMatters.com, and the Nashville Library Foundation. She was the first new media consultant on record for the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee.
The Victory Institute says this: "Each day since Council Member VanReece has been a tireless champion for the people of Nashville’s 8th District – laser-focused on bringing regional investments and opportunity to her constituents."
Hon. Nancy VanReece is also the Vice President of Business Development at Batch Nashville, LLC.—a brand builder and advocate that concentrates on client experience—and is a national speaker on issues such as online marketing, social media communications, and branding. In 2015 she was added as a speaker to the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs.
VanReece was also a trailblazer for more than 25 years in the music business and was the 2017 recipient for the Stein Award for Public Leadership in the Arts, awarded by the Nashville Arts Coalition.. She served as the Executive Director/CEO of The Nashville Shakespeare Festival from 2007-2009; the first Senior Director of Partnership Development at Cool People Care, Inc.; and as a strategist for GivingMatters.com, and the Nashville Library Foundation. She was the first new media consultant on record for the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee.
SaVanna Wanzer
SaVanna Wanzer
SaVanna Wanzer has been a DC Trans advocate, HIV educator, and community volunteer for more than 25 years. As the founder of Capital Trans Pride in 2007, she later started May Is? All About Trans in 2018, a series of events celebrating, featuring, and loving transgender people. Designed to educate and build bridges across all communities, SaVanna has grown her vision to include organizations and individuals from across the country. During her many years of service, SaVanna was the first transgender woman to serve on the boards of Whitman-Walker Health and the Capital Pride Alliance. She has also served on the DC Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Committee, and started and maintained multiple peer mentoring programs. An active CAP member for NMAC & DCCFAR. Among her many awards, 2019 she was one of Leon Harris’ NBC 4 Heroes and TAGG Magazine, she was recognized with DC’s Black Pride Unsung Hero Award in 2017, Whitman-Walker Legal’s Robert Fenner Urquhart Memorial Award in 2015, and Capital Pride’s Hero Award in 2008. Retired from the federal government, SaVanna remains very active in her community and at Westminster Presbyterian Church in DC. Her future goal to take May Is? “All About Trans” National level.
Lou Weaver
LGBTQ COMMITTEE CO-LEAD
Doctors for Change
Lou Weaver
Lou Weaver is a queer transgender man and a leader in Houston’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Lou is a sought-after speaker on transgender topics across Texas. With trans healthcare as a key component of his advocacy portfolio, he has helped educate healthcare providers and medical student groups on culturally competent care for the LGBTQ communities. Lou is an engaging and thoughtful facilitator of tough, personal conversations on sexual and gender minorities.
PRIDEnet Community Partners
PRIDEnet has created formal partnerships with the following community centers, health clinics, and advocacy organizations to improve LGBTQ+ health:
