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TRACY ELLIOTT
The threat of HIV/AIDS in our community is still very real, and as executive director of AID Atlanta, Tracy Elliott is devoted to keeping us engaged in the fight. Elliott guides the ship on several of Atlanta’s biggest fundraising events, including Cotillion and the AIDS Walk, which just celebrated its 20th year on a sparkling Sunday afternoon.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
As executive director of AID Atlanta, my role is to keep the LGBT community engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS, reminding all of us that the gay community is still disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, that this threat is real and present in all of our lives.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
I think our political influence will continue to grow as we get smarter about using our power. We face significant challenges in Georgia to win equal rights and to end discrimination. In every battle for civil rights in America, the last gasp of the oppressor is the most violent and virulent, and we are now in that phase of our struggle. Things may get worse before they get better, but I know that we will never rest until we are equal under the law and able to fully enjoy the blessings of liberty. Whether we will be there in 5 or 10 years, I’m not willing to predict, but I hope so.
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.
I’ve lived a very fortunate life to date and have had very few significant negative experiences. Even though I had an ideal childhood in many ways, growing up knowing that I was somehow different left me feeling alienated and alone oftentimes. Initially, and for a long time, the “lesson learned” was to hide who I was and “act” what I assumed was appropriately. This alienation and the fear of what I was as my consciousness of my sexual orientation emerged oddly caused me to be stronger and more internally resourceful. When I did finally come to terms with myself, I could call upon that strength to develop an authentic, truthful life.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
It has made me, as a white male with privilege, more understanding of and empathetic with oppression and injustice and much more determined than I would otherwise be to build a just society.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
I like to read, spend time with my three dogs, and be outdoors (hiking, walking, etc.). My goals are to constantly increase my effectiveness as a human being, an activist, and a social enterprise business person.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Everything you need to know about the human experience is there.
