yourOUTsource: Your LGBT Resource

Joel McDonald  |  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

On September 12, 1960, John F. Kennedy addressed the Greater Houston Ministerial Association in Houston, Texas. At the time, many Protestants were suspicious of a possible Kennedy presidency. They were nervous about Kennedy’s Catholicism.

To answer this suspicion, and ease the nervousness of both Protestant leaders and voters, Kennedy spoke directly to the issue in clear terms.

Kennedy said, “I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President who happens also to be a Catholic.” Throughout his speech to the ministers, he argued that he should not be judged for his personal faith, but for his vision for America, and his record of service. As you know, John F. Kennedy was elected President.

When I decided to run for the Virginia Beach School Board, one of the first questions a friend asked was how I was going to deal with being a gay candidate. My thoughts immediately turned to Kennedy, and I replied, “I am not a gay candidate for school board, I am a candidate for school board who happens to be gay.” From that moment, I determined not to allow my being gay to be a negative in my campaign.

I’m running for Virginia Beach School Board to be an advocate for great public schools in Virginia Beach. I’ve been in our schools for the last six years as a Data Support Specialist and School Improvement coordinator, working with teachers and administrators to identify areas where we can do better, and develop plans for improvement. I’ve also worked closely with the Virginia Beach Education Association, working to make sure our schools received funding needed to maintain teaching positions, keep class sizes manageable, and continue valuable programs that help our students succeed.

My work with the LGBT community has been mainly in the realm of politics. I’ve served in a number of local and statewide positions; however, I am currently the Vice Chair for Technology and Communication and the President of the Political Action Committee (PAC) of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia. We educate on LGBT legislative issues and support pro-Equality Democrats. This year, through my work with local Democratic committees in Hampton Roads, we were proud to be a sponsor of this year’s OUT in the Park by Hampton Roads Pride.

I am the first candidate for local office in Virginia Beach who happens to be gay, and I hope that my election to the school board will be yet another step forward for the LGBT community. I hope I can count on your support to make it happen.

For more information, please visit  or check out my campaign page on Facebook.