City of Atlanta appoints new director of LGBTQ affairs

 
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens on Thursday announced that Dewayne Queen will serve as the new director of the city’s Division of LGBTQ Affairs.

The announcement comes during Pride Month and on the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. 

As Atlanta’s LGBTQ affairs director, Queen will be the liaison for Dickens’ LGBTQ advisory board and city departments. 

“As a city dedicated to creating opportunities for all, we welcome Dewayne Queen to our team in a role that will continue our Administration’s work to create innovative programming and opportunities for the LGBTQ community,” Dickens said in a press release. “Dewayne is well-equipped to coordinate efforts among community partners, amplify intersectional voices and implement data-driven solutions that address the needs of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ youth, veterans, seniors and communities of color.”

Who is Dewayne Queen?

Queen is a longtime Delta Air Lines employee and former president of the Atlanta-based corporation’s LGBTQ business resource group. He is the founder and CEO of The Trans Life Awards, which honors trailblazing transgender and nonbinary artists, advocates and community leaders.

Queen is also a board member at Atlanta Pride and Atlanta Black Pride. 

“My intention is to lead with hope — hope that builds bridges, empowers voices, and ensures every LGBTQIA+ person feels seen, valued, and protected in the city we call home,” Queen said.

“The work of equity, diversity and inclusion requires an intentional and focused leader to hear from, support and advance the agenda of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community,” said Atlanta chief equity officer Candace Stanciel. “And I am excited to welcome Dewayne Queen as he sets a new vision for this work, which is foundational to the progress of human rights in our city and across the globe.”

Queen, who starts in the role on June 30, succeeds Malik Brown, who left the position in November.