by GayWheels.com
General Motors' Chief Gay Officer Travis Parman (pictured here with a beloved Camero) recently left the company after 11 years of service. Photo courtesy of GayWheels.com.
Travis Parman spent 11 years with General Motors, most notably in Northeast Region Communications and National LGBT Media Relations, before taking a buyout from the struggling automaker last month. He was a passionate advocate for cars and an even more ardent supporter of the gay community in Michigan.
Often seen at local LGBT events, Parman was known to many as GM's CGO – Chief Gay Officer – a title he always wore with pride, and a little sass.
Here, through a Nov. 30 2008 interview with Parman from GayWheels.com, Between The Lines remembers GM's greatest gay.
Name: Travis Parman A.K.A. GM CGO, Chief Gay Officer
Place of Birth: The squalor-riddled foothills of the Appalachians–Greeneville, Tenn. – about half way between the Bristol Motor Speedway and Dollywood. Go VOLS!
Occupation: GM Northeast Region Communications and national LGBT media relations
Employer: General Motors
What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up? I knew in high school that I wanted to do public relations. I always loved to write … and communicate. You should have seen the conduct comments on my grade school report cards.
Year, make and model of your first car/truck: 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88 deisel. Some nameplates build excitement, but that one was so old when I got it, it tended just to build character. We used to call it the Hell Wagon and it was big enough to hold a Christmas tree with working lights on the front bench seat during the holidays.
What do you drive now? A Saab 9-7x and a GMC Yukon XL Denali
Are you out at work? If not, they must just think I'm particularly empathic at handling LGBT media and consumer outreach!
If you had one piece of advice to give to a gay person wanting to work in the auto industry, what would it be? The important thing is just to be yourself and demonstrate value in all you do. I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to turn my undertsanding of the LGBT community into activities that help sell more Chevys, Cadillacs, Saturns, Saabs, Hummers, Pontiacs, Buicks and GMCs.
Ok, here is the fun part; if you had $25,000 and had to buy a new car, what would it be and why? Pontiac Solstice or Chevy Malibu. The Solstice is just pure fun – it brings back that feeling of go-karting as a kid but with a great sound system and some panache. The Malibu has great interior and exterior styling and a bunch of creature comforts you don't expect for that segment – I love the two-tone interior and the regular electrical outlet in the console.
Same question but bigger budget; $50,000: Chevrolet Corvette coupe. You have all that cargo space in the back so you can auto-cross at the track in the morning and do a Wal-Mart run for groceries on the way home.
If money was no object and you had to drive it every day: The Cadillac Sixteen concept car – but I'd want to be chauffeured.
What is your favorite car of all time and why? '30s Auburn Boat Tail Speedster. I love it for its gorgeous exterior. It's got one of the most attractive hind-ends you'll ever see.
If your car/truck could talk, what would it say about you? He gets in here and puts a death grip on my steering wheel, cranks BPM on XM and doesn't let up 'til we get where we're going.
Finally, why do you want to be featured on GayWheels.com? Your site numbers seem to have gone up significantly based on November data. Ha ha ha. I think LGBT folks in the auto industry are under-represented so it's important to be visible and it's important to educate LGBT consumers about which companies really do support the community.
Like what you saw? Read more articles, interviews and car reviews at America's gay-friendly automotive resource – gaywheels.com.
