<—PREVIOUS NEXT —>
SHEILA MERRITT
Most people know Sheila Merritt for her work with the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, but her day job at Q&A Events gives her vital interaction with other notable figures throughout the city’s LGBT community as well. The full service event company is certified as an LGBT-owned business and works with clients like the Atlanta Pride Committee and the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
My role is as a part of team. A very large, diverse, interesting team that brings a variety of skills, experience and expertise to important causes and organizations – all working to better the LGBT community, not just here in our metropolitan Atlanta area, or even our state- but across the country.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
My hope is that all of our collective efforts will be rewarded with positive advancements over the next decade. I believe that we will continue to make great strides toward the equality we all deserve. I am predicting that if we all continue to get involved and stay active, in whatever way is comfortable to each individual, that Atlanta will be a place where everyone is safe, welcome and secure.
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 partner, Andria (AT) Towne, had an emergency appendectomy several years ago at a local medical facility. In spite of the fact that I arrived in the Emergency Room with all proper legal documents in-hand- I was treated horribly. While I was told to wait in a specific location for someone to come speak to me after her procedure….for several hours I had no idea where she was. Later, after we were reunited and I knew she was going to be fine (medically- at least) we complained to a patient advocate. In doing so, were dismissed, disrespected and treated with the kind of disregard I had only previously read about.
It made both of us realize that if such a thing can still happen right in Midtown Atlanta, that there was still much work to be done. The lesson learned was that it is imperative, not for convenience, but for our quality of life, that we continue fighting and not let our guard down for a moment until all LGBT individuals have full equality. We need to support the organizations that support us, we need to use this as a teachable moment, and we need to insist that a fundamental systemic change be made- and that we cannot afford to rest until that happens.
It was also a good lesson in friendship. A strong support system is imperative so that if one of us, God forbid, is ever incapacitated again, that the other is not alone. Fortunately we had and have that….but it was a chilling reminder about how important it is to maintain that.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
That’s an interesting question. On some days, I don’t believe it has a conscious impact at all. Other days, however, it is profound. From choosing a vacation destination to selecting health care providers and even home-improvement vendors….we are indeed conscious about our interactions because of “who we are.”
Mostly though, I think being a part of this “demographic” is positive. I have an amazing partner, wonderful friends, a great neighborhood, a good job and a supportive family. With all of those things in place, how can my outlook be anything but positive?! I am a very fortunate individual, and I try daily to remain grateful for and appreciative of that.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
Many people know me through my work with the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC.) I am extremely proud of that organization and my work within it. However, what some people may not know is that I also have the privilege of working for a company that is certified by the National Chamber (NGLCC) as an LGBT-owned business.
I mention this because my employer, Q&A Events, boasts clients from the Atlanta Pride Committee to the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative. So, through my day job, I am also involved with a variety of important clients within the LGBT community. Not many people get paid to interact with the likes of Linda Ellis and the Board of the Health Initiative or JP Sheffield and all those amazing folks at the Atlanta Pride Committee….but I do- how cool is that?!
My hobbies are all attached to Atlanta’s LGBT community! Whether it is hanging at our house with our friends, or performing as a part of the “East Point Villagers” in the annual “East Point Possums” show….I’m really a Queer-dork at heart!
My goals are pretty simple….I want to live one day less than AT– and spend every minute between now and then working hard, playing hard, living well, making a positive difference in some small way in our community and being kind enough to enough people that somebody will remember to raise a glass of their favorite elixir in my honor now and then after I’m gone.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
Well, I love to read so there are lots of choices. I’m thinking that it would be nice to have some profound title to offer….but practically speaking, the first thing that came to my mind was something along the lines of Getting Yourself Off a Desert Island in 10 Easy Steps.
