Sims brings significant expertise to growing national organization; proceeds from speaking engagements managed by Campus Pride will directly benefit LGBT youth

Campus Pride, the nation’s leading educational organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, is proud to welcome onto its board of directors Brian Sims, the newly-elected Democratic nominee for the 182nd District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Known nationally for his outspoken work in the field of LGBT legal and social equality, Sims’ victory in the recent 182nd House Democratic will make him Pennsylvania’s first and only openly gay state legislator; Sims faces no challenger in the general election.

“I am extremely excited to join the Campus Pride Board of Directors and join in the organization’s important work of ensuring safe and inclusive college and university campuses for LGBT students,” said Sims. “I have met many LGBT students across the country and have been moved by their courage and fortitude. I am grateful to have the opportunity to help them develop the necessary leadership skills to create positive and inclusive social justice change in their schools and in their communities.”

Sims has distinguished himself as an attorney and civil rights advocate in Philadelphia and served as the staff counsel for policy and planning at the Philadelphia Bar Association. He recently stepped down as president of the Equality Pennsylvania Board of Directors and as chairman of GALLOP (Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia).

“Brian Sims brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our growing board of directors and to our national organization,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride executive director. “Brian’s experience in LGBT advocacy and in speaking out on behalf of LGBT students, particularly to athletes, fits well with our mission and commitment to LGBT students.”

In 2000, Sims, the son of two retired Army lieutenant colonels, came out to his college football team after leading them to the Division II National Championship game as their captain. He remains the only former NCAA football captain to have ever come out, and is one of the most notable collegiate athletes to do so in any sport.

In the last three years, Sims has been named one of the nation’s Top 40 LGBT Attorneys Under 40 by the National LGBT Bar Association – ABA and one of the of the Top 40 Most Influential LGBT People Under 40 by The Advocate. Sims has also been on Campus Pride’s annual “Hot List” of the best LGBT and ally educators, artists and entertainers as for college campuses.

Sims holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor degree in International & Comparative Law from Michigan State University College of Law.

In addition to his service on the Campus Pride Board of Directors, Sims’ speaking engagements will also be managed by Campus Pride staff. A portion of those proceeds will directly benefit Campus Pride and support its work with LGBT and ally students across the nation. Those interested in learning more about Sims’ available speaking dates, booking information and prices or other general questions can contact Campus Pride at 704-277-6710 or email [email protected].

Based in Charlotte, N.C., Campus Pride was founded in 2001. Other members of its board of directors include: Thomas Feldman, vice president and senior art director for Tyvola Design; Patrick Washburn, a North Carolina-native and employee of Food Lion; and John Witherington, a Memphis, Tenn.-native and employee since 2003 of Wells Fargo Securities; Lesley Tait, a mother of a 23-year-old gay son and website development manager of Food Lion; and Nikita Burks, former Campus Pride student and current residence life coordinator at Columbia College in Columbia, S.C.