Name: Beth Brooker
Home: Norfolk
Qualifications:
- Currently employed as Housing Specialist at the LGBT Life Center. In this role, I manage up to 70 active cases of those suffering from HIV/AIDS in the Center’s housing program.
- Served on the Hampton Roads Pride Board from 2010-2012. I was on the board that helped bring the Pride event to Town Point Park.
- During that time, I served on the Pridefest Logistics Committee and was the Vendor Chairperson.
- I have 16 years experience as Special Events Coordinator for municipal Parks and Recreation Departments
- I also have 10 years experience as Special Events Coordinator for North Carolina Special Olympics.
- I served on the Board of Directors for the largest home owner’s association in southeast Virginia, the Green Runs Homes Association, 2012-2016. Chaired the Due Process Committee and the Parks Committee.
- Also served on the HOA’s events committee, nominating committee, and worked closely with staff and volunteers to ensure the association was run frugally, respectfully, and with transparency.
- As a community LGBTQ activist, I have worked hard for the rights of all people, but specifically LGBTQ people.
- I served as State Lead for GetEQUAL from 2011 – 2014, where I coordinated actions to promote full federal equality under the law for all LGBTQ Americans.
- I have marched in the streets from Norfolk to DC, held protests in various parts of Hampton Roads, and lobbied our elected officials in Richmond for fairness and inclusion for all.
Why I want to serve on Hampton Roads Pride Board:
I want to serve the Hampton Roads LGBTQ by serving on the Pride Board to bring about a change in the way the board represents our community. There is very little diversity on the board or on committees. I want to make sure that the Trans community has a seat at the table and more Trans focused events are held. People of color and younger LGBTQ individuals must have a say in what their board focuses on throughout the year.
More transparency is needed in all board functions. The website needs to be more user friendly and contain more information for members to stay up to date. The website should contain items like meeting minutes, board contacts, by-laws, committee reports, and committee member’s names and chair contact information. The website and social media outlets are a key way for the board to communicate with its members. Committee meetings need to be marketed on various sites as well as the Pride site.
If I am elected to the board, I will work with the Trans community to initiate a Trans Pride event, involve college LGBTQ organizations and high school GSAs and tap into the energy of the young people of Hampton Roads in the planning of activities and events. I will partner with local organizations, groups, and individuals along the entire queer spectrum to ensure that all of our community is heard and able to participate in what activities the HR Pride board participates in and plans.
