Mission Statement

The Network shall work to build a safer and healthier environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons by conducting a needs analysis, within available appropriations, collecting additional data on the health and human services needs of such persons as necessary, informing state policy through reports submitted at least biennially, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, human services, appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, other legislative committees as necessary, the Governor and the Chief Court Administrator, and building organizational member capacity, leadership and advocacy across the geographic and social spectrum of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

The goals and objectives of The Network are: (1) the promotion of equitable access to opportunities for, (2) the delivery of health and human services to, and (3) educational awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in the state.

Board & Staff

David Grant, Executive Director of The Health Collective
John Merz, CEO of Advancing Connecticut Together
Robin McHaelen, Founder and Former Executive Director of True Colors, Inc.
William Ollayos, Administrator, Law & Policy Fellow, CWCSEO
Sub-Committees

Strategic Planning & Goal Setting Committee

  • David Grant
  • JuanCarlos Soto
  • John Merz
  • Robin McHaelen
  • Julie Walsh
  • Juan Fonseca Tapia

Grant Making Committee

  • Robin McHaelen
  • Mel Cordner
  • Gina Rosich
  • Yoda
  • Rachel Simon
  • Chris Duni
  • Christopher Cole

Community Engagement Committee

  • Denise Drummond
  • William Ollayos
  • Karen Green
  • Kamora Herrington
  • Samantha Stella
  • Sarah Holmes
  • Jess Holman
  • Christopher Cole
  • Erin Williamson
  • Dante Gennaro
  • Orlando V
  • Irene Baker
  • Nicole Lenti

Bylaws and Nominating Committee

  • Kelsey O’Neil
  • John Merz

Legislative Committee

  • Diana Lombardi
  • Barry Walters
  • Melissa Combs
  • Sebastian Torres
  • Caroline Chadwick
Voting Members
  1. The president of Connecticut Latinas/os Achieving Rights and Opportunities (CLARO)
  2. The executive director of the Safe Harbor Project
  3. The executive director of the New Haven Pride Center
  4. The executive director of True Colors, Inc.
  5. The executive director of the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk
  6. The executive director of Advancing CT Together
  7. The executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
  8. The executive director of the Rainbow Center at The University of Connecticut
  9. The executive director of the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective
  10. The executive director of the Connecticut Transadvocacy Coalition
  11. The president of OutCT in New London
  12. The executive director of the Queer Unity Empowerment Support Team
  13. The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity;
  14. A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer physician, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives
  15. An LGBT Veteran Care coordinator assigned to a health care facility in the state administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate
  16. A member of the LGBT Aging Advocacy coalition, appointed by the Governor
  17. The president of Connecticut Community Care
  18. The executive director of A Place to Nourish Your Health
  19. The executive director of Kamora’s Cultural Corner
  20. A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer provider of mental health services, licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or 383
  21. The executive director of Apex Community Care
  22. The executive director of Queer Youth Program of Connecticut
  23. Robin McHaelen
  24. Melissa Combs
  25. Gina Rosich
  26. Erin Williamson
  27. Denise Drummond
  28. Barry Walters
  29. Caroline Chadwick
  30. Anthony DiLizia
  31. Juan Fonseca Tapia

Non-Voting Members
  1. Amy Griffin, Yale
  2. Christina Gray, CT Community Care
  3. Dante Gennaro, Yale
  4. Denise Drummond, CWCSEO
  5. Diana Lombardi
  6. Erin Williamson, Love146
  7. Gretchen Raffa, PPSNE
  8. Jake Joseph, Yale
  9. Jeff Currey, CGA
  10. Jess Holman, CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence
  11. Karen Green, CT Community Care
  12. Kathryn S. Tierney, Middlesex Health
  13. Matt Blinstrubas, Equality CT
  14. N. Chineye Anako, Trinity Health of New England
  15. Ocean Phillips, Connecticut Hospice
  16. Orlando Velazco, Department of Public Health
  17. Raghib Allie-Brennan, CGA
  18. Samantha Stella, State Trooper
  19. Steven Hernandez, ConnCAN
  20. Tamara Clark, Love146
  21. TJ Nuccio, CWCSEO
  22. Juan Fonseca Tapia