Bio |
I was in grade school here in Memphis, TN in 1968 when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated downtown at the Lorraine Motel. I remember MLK’s speeches, the civil rights marches, and the curfews. I remember on the local news seeing the police beating black men in the streets for simply protesting against the intense discrimination, inequality, and abuse they were enduring. At a very early age I became a champion for equality, and human rights because of the influence that MLK, and the civil rights movement had on me as a child.
As I grew older and became more aware of my sexuality, I also became aware of the discrimination aimed at the gay community that I was becoming a part of.
Early in my gay life in Memphis came the AIDS epidemic. Many of my friends became ill. Many of them died. AIDS made being gay, especially in the South, even more stigmatized because of the fear, and ignorance that surrounded HIV.
Later in my twenties I decided to move to West Hollywood where I heard being openly gay was way more acceptable. So, off I went!
There, I became very politically, and socially active always campaigning for candidates, and promoting causes that would help bring about the changes we needed to end the inequity in our Country.
My buddies and I would take to the streets in peaceful protests usually carrying the two flags we identified with! The gay flag, and the American flag. We were proud to be gay, and proud to be Americans, but felt less than whole as Americans because of the discriminatory laws in effect at the time. So, we banded together! We spoke out, we protested! We voted! We challenged many of the laws that threatened and oppressed our community.
It was our combined voices, efforts, and resources that brought about many of the changes in the laws we see today.
After a few years in LA. I returned home to Memphis in the early 90's where I continued my political and social activism, and where I found my passion for real estate. I began my career in real estate… First, as a designer and home remodeler, then became C.O.O. of a local home building company charged with overseeing several residential development projects in the Memphis area.
In 2019, I acquired my real estate license, and decided to affiliate myself with Keller Williams Realty because of its core values where you will find a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and an unrelenting support for organizations that are leading the way for LGBTQ+ Equality like the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.
Gary Keller is co-founder and chairman of Keller Williams Realty, the largest real estate franchise in the world. Gary Keller said this in a letter to our own KW Rainbow Network- (1,800 members and counting.)
"Hello Rainbow Network,
As an integral part of the Keller Williams family, and an active member of the KW Rainbow Network, we owe you our sincere gratitude. Thank you for your contribution toward cementing equality and fairness as core pillars of our company. Thank you for your tireless efforts to create a world of acceptance. Thank you for representing the incredible diversity of our company and creating a community of support and inspiration."
After reading this I knew I was joining a company that shared my core values.
Due to the recent anti-gay bills, laws, and massive waves of discrimination I have decided to get back into the fight. The new generation of LGBTQ+ needs us!
|