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GLEN PAUL FREEDMAN
Name a gay-related non-profit in this town and Glen Paul Freedman has dedicated his time to it: Atlanta Pride Committee, Georgia Equality, For the Kid in All of Us, etc. His latest high-profile gig is serving as board chair of the newly formed Atlanta Police Department GLBT Advisory Group. When he’s not consumed by his volunteer work or his job as executive assistant to Lisa Borders, Freedman enjoys a night out with friends at his favorite club, Mary’s.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
Involved! I am not one to stand on the sidelines and watch the parade pass me by. I like to volunteer with non-profit organizations and political campaigns to try and make a difference in our community. Some of the people I’ve been blessed to work with have become close friends and they’ve encouraged me to serve on several boards and hold leadership positions with Atlanta Pride Committee, GLBT Atlanta Police Department Advisory Group, Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Equality, Human Rights Campaign, For the Kid in All of Us and InterPride. Working as Council President Lisa Borders’ office chief for five years also allowed me to be an active LGBT voice for the community at Atlanta City Hall.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
I envision a stronger, more visible community coming together to stand up for our rights at the Georgia State Capitol as well as at City Councils and County Commissions statewide. I also see us electing more openly-LGBT persons statewide, as we understand how important it is to not only have friends in office but to also represent ourselves and be judged for who we are. Overall, I would like to see more folks step up to the plate, volunteer and help in any way they can with LGBT organizations.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
Even on vacation, I tend to stay in motion and am often multi-tasking. My volunteer work is probably the closest thing to a “hobby:” I get to spend time with interesting people, enjoy a wide range of experiences and hopefully make a positive difference for our community in Atlanta as well as state-wide – which is my #1 goal. I do enjoy hanging out with my friends on a Friday or Saturday at my favorite #1 club, “Mary’s East Atlanta”. I love the music, the staff and the overall atmosphere.
We learn from all our experiences, both good and bad. Tell us about a negative life experience you’ve had that you learned a valuable lesson from.
Allen Thornell’s passing is the hardest experience I’ve ever dealt with. What I take from that, even though it sounds cliché, is how fleeting life can really be. I thought I knew, but am even more conscious of how we must cherish those we love, let them know how much they mean, and work to create the kind of world we can enjoy with them. I strive everyday to live in a way that honors his memory because that’s how he lived and he had a huge positive impact on our community and throughout the country.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
I’m a little embarrassed to say it has been awhile since I’ve read a hard cover book. Given my schedule. I lean toward audio books that I can download to my iPhone and iPod. One of my current favorite authors is Christopher Rice.
