MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Koni Denham is being named an LGBTQ+ leader in Massachusetts.Koni Denham
Koni Denham
Age: 51
Community: Easthampton
Her story: As a member of City Council, Koni Denham stresses the importance of listening to concerns of the community and support underrepresented members in their advocacy efforts to increase resources and improve their experiences within the community.
Denham praised her community of Easthampton as being a “vibrant and diverse” locality with residents who are passionate about a variety of issues. Residents that are vocal advocates of climate justice, racial justice, affordable housing, LGBTQ+ rights, global warming and more.
“I don’t want to just advocate for my communities of interest, but instead I want to be able to model what it looks like to center the voices that need to be heard, when they need to be heard,” Denham said.
As a child, Denham watched her mother grapple with raising three children, working two jobs and choosing which bills to pay. it was early on in her life that Denham recognized that as a young woman, her only escape from poverty was to get an education. Going forward she had committed herself to being a learner, understanding the experience of others, and being an advocate for justice
This included unlearning her own and societal beliefs about being poor, challenge attitudes about women and women leaders and find pride in her identity as a lesbian. She has worked in a shelter for unhoused individuals, provided support to refugees and worked in group homes for teens. Additionally, she served in the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan. After returning from Kazakhstan, she went on to graduate school where she committed herself to working with college students interested in serving their communities or working internationally. In her role as a City Councilor, she has relied on her prior experiences to inform her advocacy for the residents and employees of the city of Easthampton.
In her words: “If there were suggestions that I could make to leaders in their communities, it would be to ground your actions and decisions in your guiding principles and core values. I think as an elected official, you want to do right by everyone. But it is challenging and sometimes complicated to please everyone. The other thing that I would recommend is find a good mentor, someone who can show you the ropes of the organization.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
