"Kelvin-Atkinson" (1969)

A democratic of the Nevada Senate,Kelvin made history in April 2013 by becoming the fifth openly LGBT (lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender) member,and the first African American gay member of the Nevada legislature.He revealed his sexual orientation during a legislative debate surround a gay marriage ban in the state.


He was born in Chicago,Illinois.Kelvin was one of three children.His mama was a unionized employee in a Chicago factory for more than 20 years,while his daddy was a railroad worker.Later,his daddy became the first in his family to graduate from college and then law school.He practiced as a criminal law attorney in Chicago until a former client murdered the elder Atkinson.


In 1979,Kelvin visited his fraternal grandsparents in Los Angeles.While there,he fell in love with the city and asked his parents' permission to stay there.Two years later his mama also relocated to Los Angeles.


After graduating from Culver City High School in Culver City, California in 1988,Kelvin enrolled in Howard University in Washington,D.C. to pursue a B.A. in Political Science.While there,he also became involved in community service.Kelvin graduated in 1992.He also a 2004 graduate of the Western Legislative Academy and a Henry Toll Fellowship recipient (2005).


In 1990 while Kelvin was still at Howard University,his grandparents moved to Las Vegas.Shortly before graduation he joined them.In 1991,while still enrolled at Howard,he began working part-time for the local government.That part-time position led to several promotions and eventually he chose to pursue a career as a civil servant.His most recent professional position was management analyst and mediator for Clark County (Las Vegas) Government.


His daughter Haley was born in 1996.After Haley began elementary school in Las Vegas,Kevin decided to run for the State Assembly with the goal improving educational opportunities for Haley and other children in the state.He was elected in 2002 and represented District 17 from 2003-2012 as the Senior Deputy Whip.Currently,he serves as the Co-Minority whip in Nevada and is vice Chairman of the National Council of State Governments.


Kelvin and his partner Sherwood Howard became the first same-sex couple to marry in Nevada on October 9,2014.