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KATHY KELLY
One of Kathy Kelly’s goals in life is to raise happy, healthy children, and she’s helping other LGBT parents do the same through her work as executive director of MEGA Family Project. With a growing list of events for a rapidly expanding network of LGBT families and children, Kelly’s non-profit is forging a path that should benefit families for generations to come.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
I strive to do my part to make sure LGBT families have the resources they need to thrive, and for all members of our community to be treated with respect, dignity, and equality.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I believe Atlanta’s LGBT community with achieve greater acceptance, visibility, and equality in this great city. I believe the right wing politicians in this state will lose their battle against us, and we will be treated with the dignity and respect we deserve. I also believe we will continue to see a rise in LGBT people having children.
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.
The experience of working on the 2004 Georgians Against Discrimination campaign (anti-gay marriage amendment) was one of the worst experiences in my adult life. There was so much in-fighting, mistrust, and anger within the community that I had no idea existed prior to the campaign. My biggest take away from that experience is to be more appreciative of all viewpoints and to know that we are not all going to agree or even get along on every issue. I definitely learned about many parts of the community I had no idea even existed, and thus have a much greater appreciation for the diversity within our community.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
It has made me a better person with more compassion and love for my fellow human beings. Though sometimes it is frustrating being part of an oppressed group, it is also nice to be part of such a loving community.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
I enjoy photography, taking group trips with friends, and spending time with my daughter and wife. My goal in life is to raise happy, healthy children, and to not have any major regrets about how I live my life from here on out!
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
The book I wrote about how my daughter came to be in our family, which also documents her first three years of life.
