Treating everyone fairly

Gay people have made significant progress in achieving acceptance from straight society. But things aren’t perfect, according to Josh Coleman, a gay-rights advocate recently named by Mayor Randall Woodfin as the city’s LGBTQ liaison.

“In today’s age, it’s still dangerous to be different,” said Coleman, 29, who found out the hard way as a teenager.

“When I decided to come out, I was 16 years old, and my father put me out of the house,” he said.

Coleman was able to turn to his friends and “chosen family,” but he also saw plenty of “hate and discrimination” in the culture, leading him in about 2008 to become active in trying to improve things.

He has served as volunteer coordinator with the Human Rights Campaign, is currently vice president of Central Alabama Pride and has worked with other LGBTQ groups. So it seemed logical when Woodfin introduced Coleman as LGBTQ liaison – the first person to hold the new position — during Pride Fest at Sloss Furnaces in June.

“Birmingham is the city that taught the world the importance of inclusion,” Woodfin said. “Josh will help us continue to uphold that legacy of equality by ensuring that all of our citizens have a voice in this administration.”

Coleman, who assumed his duties June 25, said his new position is “the next step to make sure that everyone in Birmingham is treated fairly and feels like they have a place.”

He said he believes he has the experience to make positive change in his new role.  He also professes to have a strong sense of mission and purpose. 

“I truly believe everyone deserves a voice and a seat at the table, and I’m willing to do everything I can to make sure that happens,” he said.

A Cullman native, Coleman attended Wallace State Community College for business management, is a certified life coach and has lived in Birmingham for three years.

He formerly worked as chief operating officer of Rickmark Inc., a large multi-unit Pizza Hut franchisee. He is also an ordained minister with Universal Life Church who has performed three same-sex marriages. Coleman has served as a national committeeman for the Alabama Young Democrats, an advisor to th at group’s LGBTQ caucus and a Greater Birmingham Democrats board member.

His involvement in politics is “a way to get involved and make sure we have the right representatives and elected officials that will look out for the best interests of our community,” Coleman said.

He describes his new city job as “serving the community and issues and events and needs, really diving into some of the existing organizations and working with and highlighting those and seeing how the city can assist with that.”

Coleman will also focus on public safety for LGBTQ communities. “There are still some areas where part of the community does not feel safe, and I look forward to working with the police chief and everyone else to make sure that everyone in the city is represented and taken care of,” he said.

Coleman believes he is well-suited personally for this effort. “I’m very level-headed and have good temperament and just want to help and serve the community the best way I can,” he said. 

In September 2017, the Birmingham City Council passed a non-discrimination ordinance. The NDO calls for the creation of a Human Rights Commission to advise the mayor and council on eliminating discriminatory practices in Birmingham. However, the NDO has not been fully implemented.

When asked about the status of the ordinance, the city supplied the following statement June 28: “There have been discussions in City Hall and with stakeholders throughout the community to refine the ordinance. That process continues.” 

“I look forward to seeing if I can assist with that in any way,” Coleman said during his first week at city hall. “It’s taken a few years to come to life, but I am confident that we’ll get it right.”

Coleman’s job also involves “reviewing existing policies within city hall and … making sure that everyone is treated fairly and respected,” he said.

Birmingham as a community is doing “a fairly good job” in making itself hospitable for LGBTQ people, according to Coleman.

“I think Birmingham’s the beacon of hope to Alabama, and I think this is by far the city where the majority of the LGBTQ community resides and feels comfortable and likes to come and enjoy our city,” he said.

Coleman is also proud to be the city’s first LGBTQ liaison. 

“I’m beyond excited to serve in this new role,” he said. “Not only to help protect and advance the life of the LGBTQ community in Birmingham, but what a honor it is to serve not only the city but the community.”

“I think it reaffirms [Woodfin’s] goal for the open, fair and inclusive city that he campaigned on,” Coleman said.

When it comes down to it, Coleman’s wish for Birmingham’s LGBTQ community is simple.

“We’re just like you,” he said. “Everyone’s the same. We just want to live, work and play in the places that we call home.”