A-LISTS community spotlight by david vera
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE MARCI BAIR
Some girls just wanna have fun. Others just want to settle down. But a rare
few like to have the best of both worlds while making sure everyone else is entitled to the same. San Diego native, Marci Bair, has been volunteering her time for the sake of equal treatment for all since she coached for the Special Olympics in her junior high school years. Combining her love of volunteering, family and sports, Marci has enjoyed
coaching youth sports for the past 25 years—more recently for her kids’ little league teams. It seems that family is a resounding passion of hers, as her involvement with Family Matters (San Diego’s LGBT parenting association) dictates. “I grew up in City Heights and now live in Chula Vista with my partner and
our kids,” said Marci. “When my partner and I had our first child 15 years ago there were only a handful of families. As evidenced by the popularity of the Children’s Garden at Pride and the size of Family Matters, there are now hun- dreds of families and more being created out of love each day.” Having been with the organization for more than 15 years, both as the
executive director and currently serving on the Advisory Committee, it would only be a matter of time before Marci would get her chance to hear a bold new project a little closer to home—a venture for which we all owe Marci a round of thanks. “South Bay Alliance was formed in 2006. I founded Gay Day in South Bay
several years ago as the first LGBT pride event for the families and business owners in Chula Vista, and was approached by Mitch Doty-Cabera about helping to form an LGBT and allied group in the South Bay. We now have a full board and we are an official 501(c)3 (nonprofit organization).” Gay Day in the South Bay is now called South Bay Pride & Music Festival and
is organized by the South Bay Alliance Board. “I am really excited about the musicians that we have lined up this year.
Entertainment Chair Dae Elliott really secured some great musicians that everyone loves like Rhythm and the Method, The Tighten Ups…and new this year are Billy Dortch and Sammy Elliott. Our emcee will be the incomparable, Laura Jane who has been involved since our very first event in the South Bay.” Being on the executive committee of the South Bay Alliance requires Marci
to consider how the organization’s image stands with the South Bay as well as the LGBT community. “We are trying to build bridges and alliances with other mainstream and
“When my partner and I had our first child 15 years ago there were only a handful of families.
As evidenced by the popularity of the Children’s Garden at Pride and the size of Family Matters, there are now hundreds of families and more being created out of love each day.”
progressive organizations in the South Bay Community that have not done much work with the LGBT community—but are open to it, or need a little more education to become more comfortable…I also try and meet all of the politicians as much as possible so that they can put a face on our community and know that we exist. So when legislation comes up that affects our com- munity, like Marriage Equality, these people will think of us. Each year more of the local politicians attend South Bay Pride, so they see our community and know that we are tax paying residents and they need to represent us too.” Marci’s personal hope for the LGBT community is one of complete
equality—acceptance, not just tolerance. “I would like to see greater support from churches and not so much hatred
and divisiveness. I dream of a world where we are all accepted for who we are and for the talents that God gave us—when being LGBT is a non-issue. Until then, we will continue to educate the larger community that we all have the same hopes and dreams for our families as they do for theirs.” When she’s not envisioning and facilitating the path to a better future, Marci
enjoys “spending time with my partner of 26 years and our two boys, playing some sport with them…whether it be football, basketball or baseball. You will find me on some court or field. Wherever they are and whatever they want to do is where I am. We also have a new boxer puppy that is keeping us busy.”
14 RAGE monthly | AUGUST 2010
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