About Us
Our Mission
Equality Arlington is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and extended (LGBTQ+) community in Arlington, Virginia. We advocate for policies, programs, and services that meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community whether provided by the government, non-profit, or private sector.
The Need
With attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community increasing throughout the United States and in Virginia, a group of young LGBTQ+ community leaders came together to discuss the need for an advocacy organization in summer 2022. These discussions led to the formation of Equality Arlington in 2023 as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit working to advocate, alongside LGBTQ+ residents and their allies, for the protection of rights and addressing the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. We advocate to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ residents in Arlington through better local, state, and national policies and programs.
Board of Directors
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Kellen MacBeth
PRESIDENT
In 2022, alarmed by increasing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community from political forces around the country, Kellen (he/him) convened a group of LGBTQ+ leaders in Arlington to identify pressing issues and begin setting up an advocacy coalition that would evolve into Equality Arlington. He's excited to work with the Equality Arlington board to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ community members! Kellen also serves as Chair of Arlington's Housing Commission and is on the NAACP Arlington Branch's Executive Committee. He lives with his husband in Shirlington.
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Sacha Brenac
BOARD MEMBER
Sacha Brenac (he/him) has always wanted to give back to his community and has found such a space with Equality Arlington. He is a life-long Arlingtonian and organizer with the local and state-wide Democratic Party. Sacha's self-realization and coming out process was relatively easy and cushioned by privilege; he hopes that one day through community efforts we can make this world safe for all members of the queer community.
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Whytni Kernodle
BOARD MEMBER
Whytni Kernodle (she/her) is a dedicated attorney, political strategist, and the driving force behind several community initiatives. As co-founder and president of Black Parents of Arlington and a steering committee member of Arlington for Justice, she prioritizes advocacy for equitable education and social justice. Currently serving as a board member of True Ground (formerly APAH) and as the former CEO of Arlington Independent Media, Whytni’s commitment to community empowerment is evident through her past involvement on Arlington's Human Rights Commission, Police Practices Work Group, County Council of PTAs, and the Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning for Arlington Public Schools.
Whytni holds a B.A. from Temple University and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as an Editor of the Journal of International Law. Currently pursuing an M.A. in Journalism at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY, Whytni believes in the power of storytelling as a tool for change.
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Hans Bauman
SECRETARY
Hans Bauman (he/him) is a native of Arlington, father of three young adults, and a lifetime fierce ally to the LGBTQ community. When his child came out as transgender, it was transformative for the entire family, bringing them closer and bonding their family in ways none expected. It also gave focus to Hans's advocacy efforts alongside the LGBTQ community, in particular fighting for transgender healthcare for adults and youth. Hans looks forward to using his decades of community and non-profit organizational experience to benefit all queer Arlingtonians.
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Jamee Hood
TREASURER
Jamee Hood (she/her) is the development and operations manager for Arlington Community Foundation and co-founder of the Fund for Queer Causes. She enjoys using her technical knowledge, data skills, and love of learning to further causes she cares about including LGBTQ+ issues and the wellbeing of all in our local community. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, she first found her way to Arlington through the Lutheran College Washington Semester program and has now lived in Arlington for over 6 years. Jamee currently lives in South Arlington with her partner and their beloved rescue dogs, Oliver and Emma.
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Laura Tinter
BOARD MEMBER
Laura Tinter (she/they) has lived and worked in Arlington for over 25 years. She has friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community and, because she's read the rest of the poem, wants to use her voice and privilege to speak up against the community's increasing marginalization, the erosion of the community's human rights, and the hateful rhetoric of our current administration. Laura works with other LGBTQ+ organizations like PFLAG and He She Ze & We, and serves on Arlington's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee to the County Manager. They have been involved with Equality Arlington as a volunteer since its inception and look forward to playing a bigger role in its advocacy work.
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Amy Killelea
BOARD MEMBER
Amy Killelea (they/them) is an Assistant Research Professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. Their research focuses on access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage for people with chronic or complex conditions, preventive services and vaccine coverage policy, and prior authorization. Amy began their career providing legal services to people living with HIV who faced access challenges to healthcare, including discrimination, affordability, and stigma. Since then, Amy has worked to ensure that state and federal non-discrimination laws are implemented and enforced to protect LGBTQ+ communities to access the health care they need.