Statewide LGBTQ+ Political Organization Keystone Equality Elects New Board of Directors Leadership for 2024
Harrisburg, PA
Date: January 31, 2024
Statewide LGBTQ+ Political Organization Keystone Equality Elects New Board of Directors Leadership for 2024
Contact: Wendy Cheeseman (Secretary) wendy_cheesman@yahoo.com or Liz Bradbury (Chair) 610-432-5449, lizbradbury9@gmail.com, for more information or interviews
Keystone Equality, Pennsylvania’s leading state-wide political organization working for the civil rights of LGBTQIA2+* communities of Pennsylvania, is proud to announce its new Board of Directors leadership, elected earlier this month.
Founded in 2022, Keystone Equality’s mission is to endorse candidates for public office in local, state, and federal elections; to mobilize voters, and to act as a leading voice in Pennsylvania political action for LGBTQIA2+ inclusion.
Lehigh Valley political activist Liz Bradbury, who has been working for the civil rights of LGBTQIA2+ people in Pennsylvania for more than 30 years, has been elected Chair of the Keystone Equality board.
“Keystone Equality is at the leading edge of voter information and political activism in Pennsylvania. I’m very honored to take on this role,” said Bradbury, “these Keystone Equality Board members include current and former leaders of major regional LGBTQIA2+ groups, transgender-led support organizations, and elected officials.”
Bradbury said, “While the new board of directors reflects the diversity of Pennsylvania’s LGBTQIA2+ communities and is comprised of individuals from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state, one of my primary tasks will include adding to the already large, active, and committed Keystone Equality board to ensure the commonwealth’s diverse LGBTQIA2+ community is fully represented. I’m also committed to making elected officials and candidates across the state aware that Keystone Equality is working to present information about their level of LGBTQIA2+ support, as we enhance our efforts to mobilize Pennsylvania voters.”
Besides founding three major Pennsylvania LGBTQIA2+ organizations in the last three decades, newly elected Chair Liz Bradbury has been successful in presenting information about candidates to help voters choose to elect pro-equality legislators.
Keystone Equality cites the changing dynamics in Harrisburg as creating opportunities to move LGBTQIA2+ civil rights legislation.
Bradbury adds, “It’s time Pennsylvania joins the rest of America’s northeastern states in passing a state-wide law that protects citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The way to make that happen is by making voters aware of where candidates stand on unfair discrimination. The 2024 election may just be the most important in our lives.”
Upon hearing that Liz Bradbury has been named chair of Keystone Equality, Pennsylvania State Representative and Majority Caucus Chair Michael H. Schlossberg said, “Liz is a tremendous asset for Pennsylvania with a wealth of policy and organizing experience. Her historic perspective and ongoing work is unrivaled. We are fortunate to have her leadership in the fight for full equality and inclusion.”
In response to Liz Bradbury taking the lead as chair of Keystone Equality, state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Majority Chair of the State Education Committee said, “I am thrilled that Liz Bradbury has been named Chair of Keystone Equality.” Rep. Schweyer added, “She has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community for 30 years, and she is a long time friend that I consider a hero for equality and equity.”
In support of Keystone Equality upon its creation, State Senator Sharif Street, who is also Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party said, “Equal protection under the law for all Pennsylvanians is the bare minimum government should provide. I’m proud to have Keystone Equality by our side in the fight for civil rights for our LGBTQ community. We have work to do.” Touting the establishment of Keystone Equality, State Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El said, "As Lancaster County's first Black legislator, first LGBTQ+ legislator, it thrills me to see organizations building political power that are with, by, and for queer Pennsylvanians. Every person in the Commonwealth deserves a good job, a safe home, affordable healthcare, and the right to determine what their families look like. In this generation, we are going to see a lot of "first" LGBTQ+ legislators from their region, city or community. I look forward to working with Keystone Equality to ensure that none of them are the last."
Keystone Equality is committed to partnering with other progressive and LGBTQIA2+ groups to achieve their shared goals.
The Board of Directors is as follows:
Liz Bradbury (Chair) — Allentown
Moira Kaleida (Vice-Chair) —Pittsburgh
Wendy Cheesman (Secretary) —Lancaster
Alex Sphon (Treasurer) —Erie
Douglas Hearn — Warren
Bre Reynolds —Lock Haven
Anthony Bullett - Huntingdon
Ryan Matthews —Upper Darby
Preston Heldibridle —Harrisburg
Corrine Goodwin —Allentown
Morgan Selkirk — Abington
Alex Olson —Philadelphia
Stephen Elock —Scottdale
Jason Landau Goodman (ex-officio) —Lower Merion
Keystone Equality encourages Pennsylvanians to get engaged in the fight for LGBTQIA2+ civil rights. As a political nonprofit organization, supporters can visit keystoneequality.org to read our mission and vision statements, to donate, and to learn how to become involved.
*LGBTQIA2+ means: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit, and the + holds space for the expanding and new understanding of different parts of the very diverse gender and sexual identities. - Definition from Princeton University Gender and Sexuality Resource Center