by Jessica Carreras
Leo Romo
Leo Romo of Saginaw is heavily involved with the local LGBT community in his area. From working with PFLAG to advising Perceptions to just getting the word out about LGBT news, Romo has made it his job to make sure that his community is engaged, informed and active.
1) I know you are involved with PFLAG, but what other LGBT groups are you affiliated with?
I am an advisor of Perceptions Saginaw Valley, the largest Saginaw Valley GLBT group with more than 600 mostly Tri-Cities people online. I have set up speakers for their monthly meetings for several years. Additionally, I have been affiliated with the Triangle Foundation, Michigan Equality, the Faith Action Network, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and recently involved in the Saginaw Community HIV/AIDS Task Force with the Saginaw County Public Health Department. The Task Force is not a GLBT group but its target population includes us.
2) You are always dispersing information to the community about events, issues and news stories. Why do you make that your job?
Having an educated LGBT and ally community – especially leaders – is crucial in participating in life, whether voting, contacting legislature leaders or just being aware of issues and topics for personal change/growth. I try to share updated and appropriate information from respected resources. I share information for many listings online – LGBT and straight.
3) You're currently working on a LGBT historical project. Can you explain what you're trying to do?
I have been compiling articles and stories regarding a local LGBT history in the Tri-Cities area – Midland, Saginaw and Bay Counties and the surrounding area. I plan to create a timeline and share information for Tim Retzloff, who continues to compile information regarding the LGBT history of Michigan.
I am always amazed by local LGBT events and people, currently and in the past. We must document that they existed or this history is lost forever. Here are couple examples of local information: A Bay County man was the first Michigan gay resident who adopted a child in 1971; the city of Saginaw prohibited housing discrimination based on sexual orientation 25 years ago; and Midland-based Dow Chemical Company established Gay, Lesbians and Allies at Dow in 2000.
4) You have fought for several local issues, but which one is most important to you?
Justice is the most important issue for me. It demands equality and prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. It will create harassment-free schools and would protect all employees. Under justice, a county clerk would accept same gender marriage licenses like straight licenses. Justice is not an abstract idea. It is simply treating others justly and fairly.
5) The Saginaw area is sometimes seen as unfriendly to gay people. What's your take on it?
I'm sure some Saginaw area people or groups are not gay friendly, but I think those people are being replaced with people who have more open heads and hearts. I prefer to list the positive facts that I have witnessed:
– The city of Saginaw has banned housing discrimination based of sexual orientation since 1984.
– This year, the Saginaw County Democratic Party passed a resolution that requested restoring domestic partner health insurance and benefits for public employees.
– I increasingly witness meeting more pro-gay elected and non-elected local leaders.
– Some leaders are very aware LGBT issues and vote for us – like State Reps Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) and Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City), and openly-lesbian Garnet Lewis, who ran as a state representative last fall.
– Recently, the Saginaw chapter of NAACP listened to a speaker regarding HIV/AIDS, especially with African-Americans men and women.
– Saginaw will plan an educational event for the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.
– A popular Saginaw straight bar, The Junction, has recently hired a gay duet to entertain its regular crowd. On the same street, Saginaw has The Mixx, probably nicest gay bar in the state.
These facts are the new reality and it is a comfortable reality for many. The Saginaw area is not Ann Arbor or Ferndale, but is not the redneck town that some people remember. I think the Saginaw area will continue be inclusive and bloom.
Want to be up to date on LGBT news and issues? E-mail Leo Romo at [email protected]
