New group forms for LGBT leaders, allies

Board members of the National Association of County LGBT Leaders & Allies, which formally organized during the Legislative Conference, pose for a group photo at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel: (l-r) Jay Breneman, treasurer; KipuKai Kaulii, at-large; Lucinda Andreani, vice chair; Eric Peterson, secretary; and Tyler Massey, chair. Photo by Paul Beddoe

Group for county LGBT officials and allies organizes and  formalizes, selects officers 

What began as informal receptions at NACo’s conferences has morphed into a new affinity group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) county leaders and their supporters.

The National Association of County LGBT Leaders & Allies Inc. formally organized  by approving bylaws and electing officers on Feb. 23 at NACo’s 2016 Legislative Conference.

Hidalgo County, N.M. Treasurer Tyler Massey was elected chair. Additional officers are: Lucinda Andreani, deputy public works director, Coconino County, Ariz., vice chair; Eric Peterson, government affairs liaison, Milwaukee County, Wis., secretary; Councilman Jay Breneman, Erie County, Pa., treasurer; and Councilmember KipuKai Kualii, Kauai County, Hawaii, board member-at-large.

“I’m honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to lead this new group,” Massey said. “We will work together to support each other, ensure that every voice is heard and encourage other LGBT county leaders and allies to actively participate in NACo.”

The organization, whose acronym is NACLGBTA, is “dedicated to the promotion of equality, non-discrimination, fairness, and justice for all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity in the sphere of county government and in the general public as a whole and to provide a collegial setting for persons sharing that purpose to gather and coordinate efforts,” according to its bylaws.

For more information about the group, please contact Tyler Massey at hctreasurer@aznex.net.

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