Hi John:

This National Coming Out Day, I'm choosing to share something I haven’t said publicly before: I am a proud member of the LGBTQ community, and a gay man.

It still feels unusual to need to broadcast; after all, I ultimately envision a world where we don’t need to. But as the first African American and youngest ever representative elected to the largest and most diverse school system in Georgia, I recognize the importance of diverse voices advocating for inclusive leadership that supports all and harms none. I’m incredibly excited – and hopeful – to stand with the thousands of LGBTQ students in my school district in this new way.

And I know I’m far from the only one to share this important truth. We know there are many LGBTQ elected officials and candidates still not in the space to share it publicly, and we must continue to find ways to support them. But I’m proud to now count myself among the 757 openly LGBTQ elected officials in the United States.

On National Coming Out Day, will you chip in to help Victory Fund elect more out LGBTQ leaders?

As a Black gay school board member, there are experiences I recount where I felt either too Black in gay environments or too gay in Black ones. And though I struggled with the decision to come out, I know that we must become the intersectional role models we seek for future generations and fight back against attacks on our civil liberties.

As I step into this space and reflect on the young Black boy who grew up without someone to affirm his identity, I'm also coming out for the 180,000 students in my district and beyond who have ever struggled to accept themselves. My hope is that young people love themselves and see the possibilities of who they can become without having to deny their identities or question their self-worth.

And for all of us, in positions of elected power, we must wield our ability to destroy systems that hold us back and disrupt norms that devalue us. As I look forward, I see the changes I can make and the progress I can uphold. I see the kids in my district growing up with the knowledge that they have one more LGBTQ advocate to stand in their corner, boldly proclaiming their bright futures and encouraging them to reach their fullest potentials.

I’m proud to be embracing my entire identity and claim who I am. I hope you can too.

Thanks again –

Everton Blair, Jr.

Board Representative, Gwinnett County Board of Education