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MAGGIE LOPEZ
Maggie Lopez is fine with being called a leader, but she would define herself as more of a “cheer”leader for the LGBT community. She takes pride in “supporting a wide variety of LGBT organizations that span different economic, social, political, cultural agendas.”
But knowing her as she is now—business owner, art collector—it’s hard to fathom how she arrived in America—as a political refugee who fled from Cuba during the communist revolution with barely the clothes on her back. It taught her a valuable lesson: “When you lose everything, you still have yourself and a chance at a new beginning.”
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
While some may refer to me as a leader, having served on several LGBT boards (currently For the Kid in All of Us), I define myself as a “cheer”leader for our community, supporting a wide variety of LGBT organizations that span different economic, social, political and cultural agendas. Even within our own community, I find there are many divides; whenever possible I attempt to bridge those gaps with my support and involvement. I strive not to peg myself solely into one group.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
I foresee a vibrant LGBT community with greater political power that will be integrated geographically beyond our current urban hubs. With more openly gay individuals serving in the public sector and many corporate organizations continuing to develop LGBT affinity groups, I foresee not just tolerance, but wide acceptance within Atlanta’s collective consciousness.
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.
My family and I fled Cuba during the tumultuous communist revolution, arriving in the U.S. as political refugees with barely the clothes on our backs. This experience taught me never to fear taking risks; when you lose everything, you still have yourself and a chance at a new beginning.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
As a teenager, I was fascinated with authors of the Lost Generation and Bloomsbury circles, many which dealt with sexual diversity in their works and in their own lives. Perhaps that’s why I was never conflicted or ashamed about my sexuality. But being a woman, Hispanic and gay, I was quite aware of discrimination at a very early stage. Discrimination and xenophobia stem from fear and ignorance; I’m always seeking a teachable moment to unseat prejudice.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
I am legally and happily married to my spouse, Patt Cianciullo. I was active in the efforts which led to civil-union legislation and later same-sex marriage protection in our seasonal home state of Connecticut; skills and strategies which Patt and I strive to apply locally in Georgia’s quest for marriage equality. I am a Corporate Art Consultant and president of my own company, Zeitgeist ARTifacts, Inc. I am an avid collector of Depression-era, American social realism art, which continues to fuel my interest in social and political activism. And then there’s that expensive shoe habit…
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
The bestseller of all time, the Bible. The beauty and poetry of the Psalms would ease my time there, and I’d never be bored with the stories of murder, adultery and family dysfunction!
