Jaye Whittaker

Jaye Whittaker (Equality Professionals Network)ORGANIZATION(S) YOU VOLUNTEER FOR: Equality Professionals Network (EPN), and Chair and Founder of Cricket Wireless’s LGBT & Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG), Cricket Pride Nation.

NUMBER OF YEARS VOLUNTEERING FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION(S):  2 years with EPN; 3 years with Cricket Pride Nation.

HOMETOWN: I was born and raised in a small town in Ohio, but have also been a proud citizen of San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

SINGLE OR TAKEN: Married to my partner of 20 years.

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN SAN DIEGO? 8 years.

WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION(S)? I volunteer to improve economic equality for LGBT people and Allies and all San Diegans.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VOLUNTEERING MEMORY? Seeing all of the very generous employers come in and talk with hundreds of San Diego job seekers at The San Diego LGBT Community Center last May 2013 an our Annual EPN Career Event.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO THE WORK YOU DO? I have a passion for social and economic justice for all.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU? I grew up in a musical household, studied and play the flute and piano.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE LOCAL LGBT COMMUNITY? San Diegans are very down to earth and friendly.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGE IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY? I would like to see more of a diverse representation from women, the Latino and other ethnically-diverse communities, the transgender community, people of all ages, and people with disabilities, for example.

WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO YOU DO TO ENRICH YOUR SOCIAL LIFE OTHER THAN VOLUNTEERING? I really look forward to attending the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival every year. It’s like having Thanksgiving and New Year’s at the same time!

IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY AND INVITE THREE PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE), WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY? Harvey Milk, Mahatma Ghandi, and Harriet Tubman because they were all social and economic equality visionaries and incredible humanitarians.

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About Fernando

Fernando Lopez is the Executive Director of San Diego Pride. Lopez’s years of LGBT advocacy, nonprofit management, public education, diversity consulting, media relations, guest lectures, and organizing have made them a consistent presence ensuring the struggles of the LGBT community are ever visible.