City Of Mobile: Mayor Stimpson Announces Mobile's First LGBTQ+ Liaisons

Press release from the City of Mobile:

Feb 3rd, 2022

For Immediate Release:

Mobile, Ala. — Today Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced the appointment of Michael Tyner and Natalie Fox as LGBTQ+ Liaisons to his administration and the first to hold such positions in the City of Mobile.  

In their new roles, Michael and Natalie will work directly with Mayor Stimpson’s administration to help make sure leaders throughout the City of Mobile have an LGBTQ perspective on City policies and services. They will also serve as an important voice for the community — working with advocacy groups, businesses, and individuals to relay concerns from LGBTQ+ Mobilians directly to the mayor’s office. 

“By all measures, Mobile is a wonderfully diverse city, and we want to make sure we have voices from across the community represented at the table,” Mayor Stimpson said. “I appreciate Michael and Natalie’s willingness to serve in these important roles. I know their involvement will help continue to strengthen the relationship members of Mobile’s LGBTQ+ community have with their city government.” 

The City of Mobile coordinated the appointment of its first LGBTQ+ Liaisons with the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for these positions in communities around the country along with other policies and laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans. Establishing LGBTQ+ Liaisons in Mobile will also improve the City’s rating on HRC’s Municipal Equality Index and will help when recruiting new businesses and residents to Mobile who value LGBTQ+ equality and inclusiveness. 

“As more and more international companies move into Mobile, I speak with LGBTQ+ people relocating here for work on a regular basis. Their number one question is about safety and acceptance. The reality is that the south doesn’t have a great reputation for being a welcoming home to LGBTQ+ individuals. That’s why so many young people look elsewhere to go to college — they want to live in a place that’s open, diverse, and forward-thinking. Bringing LGBTQ+ people to the table, through this liaison position, will help make our city a better place for business, for students, and most importantly, for the people who will spend their lives here.” — LGBTQ+ Liaison Michael Tyner

“It is an honor to be selected as the LGBTQ+ liaison for the City of Mobile. As a member of Mobile's LGBTQ+ community for nearly 20 years, I am thrilled to see this administration take steps to make our city more inclusive. I know firsthand what it's like to worry about how my identity will affect my acceptance in my community. It will be our job to make sure everyone feels not just safe and supported but celebrated for who they are. I am looking forward to serving as a personal contact for community leaders, residents and businesses within the LGBTQ+ community as we work toward the common goal of ensuring our city is open and inclusive to all citizens.” – LGBTQ+ Liaison Natalie Fox

“The Human Rights Campaign is glad to see Mobile taking this important step forward in the fight for equality—city liaisons play a critically significant role in uplifting LGBTQ+ voices during municipal policy-making. There is always more work to do, and it is our sincere hope that Mobile continues to make strides toward LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion. Thank you to Mayor Stimpson for supporting this move and ensuring LGBTQ+ people have a seat at the table.” Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey, Human Rights Campaign Alabama State Director

You can find more information about the City of Mobile’s LGBTQ+ Liaisons at the link below:  
https://www.cityofmobile.org/lgbtq-liaisons-to-the-city-of-mobile/ 

This press release was produced by the City of Mobile. The views expressed here are the author’s own.