This document profiles several Georgia politicians and where they stand on gay rights issues. It divides them into two groups: those who support LGBT rights and identify as LGBT themselves (Simone Bell, Lisa Borders, Jason Carter, etc.) and those who are largely opposed or have anti-gay stances (Nathan Deal, Lynn Westmoreland, Saxby Chambliss, etc.). It provides biographical information and background on their positions. The conclusion notes that only two profiles (both Democrats) openly discussed gay rights on their websites.

1. Big Wig Georgia Politicians For and Against Gay Rights.

2. Political “Safe Zone” Or as safe as you can feel when in the world of politics. In the following slides you will find a list (open to changes) of Politicians who either identify as gay or lesbian themselves, accept the LGBT Community, do not rise against it, and/or support the community as a whole. The Politicians are members of the state of Georgia’s Politics. However, unlike many, these politicians are open to Queer, accept Queer, and in some cases are Queer which would entail that having them in office would only benefit “us”.

3. Simone Bell: A Better Georgia For Ourselves and Our Neighbors Bio: Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan but a resident of Georgia for 20 years. Democratic Party Graduate of Agnes Scott College Openly identifies as a homosexual. Sworn into the House of Representative in 2009. A member of the following committees: Children and Youth, Human Relations and Aging and State Planning and Community Affairs. http://www.simonebell.com/

4. Lisa Borders: Believe in Our City. Believe in Lisa Borders. Bio: Holds a BA’s degree from Duke University and a Masters of Science and Health Administration from University of Colorado. Atlanta City Council President 2010 Transition Team Co-Chairperson for the current Mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed Lisa supports the LGBT community by frequently attending Atlanta Pride, Human Rights Campaign, and Georgia Equality events. http://www.bordersforatlanta.com/

5. Jason Carter: Meeting Our Economic Challenges, Improving Ga’s Schools and Fixing Our Broken Transportation System Bio: Graduated from Duke University and received his JD from the University of Georgia. Won special election in the Georgia State Senate in 2010; his first year of service in the house. Grandson of Jimmy Carter Member of the Democratic Party. Received the Stuart Eizenstat Young Lawyer Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Committee member of Urban Affairs, Science and Technology, Public Safety and Judiciary. According to GaVoice, Carter, supports the LGBT Community and outreaches to many gay voters. http://www.carterforstatesenate.com/

6. Jill Chambers: Republican Bio: Graduated from DeKalb Technical College in 1987 Attended Cloverdell Leadership Institute until 1989. Member of the Georgia House of Representatives since 2002. According to GAVoice, Chambers was the only Republican to vote against the 2004 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. For a list of committees she is a part of visit, http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=31417

7. Karla Drenner: Going the Extra Miles BIO: Originally from Charleston, SC Sworn into the Georgia House of Representative in January of 2001 Democratic Party Openly Identifies as Queer. Drennerbelieves that America was founded on basic principles of equal opportunity for all. She also believes that each individual can work actively in order to ensure that the rights of others are protected not just to the letter of the law but also according to the spirit of the law. (Drenner 2010). For a list of her recent legislation sponsorship visit: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/mbrs/drennerkarla86th.htm http://www.karladrenner.org/

8. Vincent D. Fort: Fighting for Our Neighborhoods Bio: Completed his Bachelor’s degree at Central Connecticut State University, Master’s Degree at Atlanta University, and is currently attending Emory University. Member of the Democratic Party Georgia State Senator since 1996. Committee member of; Appropriations, Education and Youth, Judiciary, MARTOC, Urban Affairs, State Institutions and Property and Reapportionment and Redistricting. GAVoice claims he is one of the strongest LGBT strongest allies. http://www.vincentfort.com/ According to this website, “He has been on the forefront for providing a safer Georgia, sponsoring and co-sponsoring bills against prostitution, hate crimes, drug-related nuisances, discrimination against citizens with disabilities, racial profiling, disabled access to housing, and collective bargaining for law enforcement officers.”

9. Gerald Greene: Democratic Party Bio: Greene is originally from Georgia. He completed undergrad at Georgia Southern and completed graduate school at Georgia State University. He was named legislator of the year in 1996. Sworn into the House of Representative in January of 1983. For legislature sponsored by Greene visit, http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/mbrs/greenegerald149th.htm http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/bios/greeneGerald/greeneGerald.htm

10. Keith Gross:"I'm extremely excited about the number of people I've met on the campaign trail already who are dedicated to making our neighborhood and even better place to live, work and raise our families. I hope to earn your support, prayers and votes in the next six months leading up to the Democratic primary on July 15th. - Keith Gross" Bio: Gay Business Owner who ran for his second attempt at a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in the past election. Democrat www.keithgross.com/

11. Mike Jacobs: Republican Party Bio: Received his Bachelors degree from Georgetown University and received his Law Degree from the University of Georgia’s School of Law. According to GAVoice, Jacobs, was endorsed by Georgia Equality in the past, and also sponsored an ant-bullying bill which was supported by the LGBTQ Community. First elected into the Georgia House of Representatives in 2004. Committee assignments include; Insurance, Judiciary, MARTA Oversight, and Rules. He is also the Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and chairs one of its two subcommittees. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of the Anti-Defamation League Southeast Region and the executive committee of the DeKalb County Republican Party. Mike is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, DeKalb Bar Association, Federalist Society, and Republican Jewish Coalition. http://repjacobs.com/ Also, for a list of legislature he supports visit, http://repjacobs.com/about-mike/

13. Member of the House of Representatives.

14. Served on the following committees: Banks and Banking, Education, Industrial, Relations, Health and Human Services Committees, House Study on Pre-K, Chronis Kidney Disease and Fulton Country Study, and Emerging Leadership Program.

15. For more legislature sponsored by Kaiser visit, http://www.margaretkaiser.com/Meet_Margaret.html . http://www.margaretkaiser.com/

16. Elena C. Parent- Democratic Party Bio: A Representative- Elect Completed Undergrad at the University of Virginia in 1998 and went on to Law School at the University of Virginia (finished in 2002). Drew gay support with a fundraiser on March 11, “Celebrate Equality”, that featured lesbian Q100 Radio Personality Melissa Carter and other gay political activist. For more information visit, http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=122835

17. Not So “Safe Zone” As we all know (or should know) we are in the South which means there are immense amount of conservatives and extremely close minded individuals. So, unlike the previous politicians the next group of slides will consists of those we should look out for, be informed of and in some circumstances avoid. This is due to the fact that these particular politicians are against gay rights. Some of these rights include the right for gay couples to wed, adopt, etc.

18. Nathan Deal: Georgia’s Governor Elect Bio: Received his JB and AB from Mercer Universirty. Professional Experience includes; Attorney, Private Practice, 1979-1992County Attorney, Hall County, 1977-1979 Juvenile Court Judge, Hall County, 1971-1972 Assistant District Attorney, Northeastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia, 1970-1971Captain, United States Army, 1966-1968 Member of The Republican Party Member of the Republican Party According to http://www.ontheissues.org/GA , Deal Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance (Dec 2006). Committee member of, Congressional Boating CaucusCongressional Caucus on Unfunded MandatesCongressional Children's Working GroupCongressional Immigration Reform CaucusCongressional Travel and Tourism CaucusCongressional Vietnam-Era Veterans CaucusCo-Chair, Forestry 2000 Task ForceHouse Trails CaucusNational Guard and Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization Rural Health Care CoalitionSpeaker's Immigration Task Force For information on his stance regarding certain issues visit his website http://www.votesmart.org/speech.php?can_id=26824&issue_position=1 http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=26824

19. Congressman Lynn A. Westmoreland- Republican Bio: Completed a High School Diploma form Therrel High School Resides in Coweta County but lived in Fayette County for 25 years previous to that. Entered congress in 2005 but served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 12 years before that. Westmoreland is a member of several committees which you can find by visiting, http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=8001 Also for a list of additional stances he takes visit, http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=8001 http://westmoreland.house.go/

20. Saxby Chambliss- Republican Bio: Attended Louisiana Tech University followed by then received his BA from the University of Georgia. Received his J.D. from the University of Tennessee School of Law. Senator from 2002 to present. A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the Senate Rules Committee, the Senate Special Committee on Aging and he is the Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry For sponsored legislature visit http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=SponsoredBills http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm

21. Karen Handel: : “Bring It On” Bio: Georgia’s first Republican Secretary of State. Fulton County Commissioner Ran in the last race for Georgia’s Governor. Heavily supported by Sarah Palin. According to the AJC, Handel, said “gay parenting is not in the best interest of the child”. To learn more about her stances on other issues visit, http://www.karenhandel.com/site/c.dwJTKgO2JiI6G/b.5970531/k.C6FC/Issues.htm http://www.karenhandel.com/site/c.dwJTKgO2JiI6G/b.5970463/k.554F/Karen_Handel_for_Governor_of_Georgia.htm

22. Tom Price- “Vibrant Leader in Georgia and Thoughtful Problem Solver”. Bio: Member of the Republican Party. Received his M.D. from the University of Michigan and completed his Orthopedic Surgery residency at Emory University. He established an orthopedic clinic just north of Atlanta, where he practiced for 20 years medical director of the Orthopedic Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, teaching resident doctors in training. For more information regarding in stance on different issues visit, http://www.tomprice.com/issues.aspx http://www.tomprice.com/index.aspx

23. Newt Gingrich- “The Indispensable Leader” – Washington Times Bio: First elected to Congress in 1978 where he served the Sixth District of Georgia for twenty years. In 1995, he was elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Ga Voice gives direct quote from Newt claiming, “Judge Walker's ruling overturning Prop 8 is an outrageous disrespect for our Constitution and for the majority of people of the United States who believe marriage is the union of husband and wife. In every state of the union from California to Maine to Georgia, where the people have had a chance to vote they've affirmed that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Congress now has the responsibility to act immediately to reaffirm marriage as a union of one man and one woman as our national policy. Today’s notorious decision also underscores the importance of the Senate vote tomorrow on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court because judges who oppose the American people are a growing threat to our society”. http://www.newt.org/

24. Conclusion Interesting enough, when visiting these particular politicians websites only two openly commented on Gay Rights and both were members of the Democratic Party and Pro- Gay Rights. Additionally, this list does not include every Georgia Politician but instead that that hold higher influence in the state and nationwide.