Associate Director of Field Outreach
Department: Field
Donna Payne
As one of HRC's key representatives, Payne works closely with civil rights organizations and their leaders to increase visibility of the LGBT community within the religious and people of color communities. Payne has led HRC's diversity work by coordinating its role in "Gospel & Soul" events and its participation in Black and Hispanic pride events in major cities nationwide. Payne has been given many awards across the country for her organizing skills and political forums in the African-American same-gender-loving community. As a change agent, Ms Payne has directly advocated for open dialogue between African American ministers and the LGBT community. In 2004, 2005, she was given awards from the state of NY and MA for her work on opening the dialogue on Marriage and Religion in the African American community. In 2009, Payne received the Capitol Pride Hero award in Washington, D.C. and was nominated by The Root.com to be recognized as one of 100 established Black Americans making exceptional contributions in their professions and communities.
HRC's diversity work has expanded during Payne's 12 year tenure. In 2001, Donna was the LGBT representative for HRC and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. She has served the political community by working with the Young Democrats in Washington, D.C., the Political Congress of Black Women and on congressional campaigns in the south. Payne is a founding board member & the Board Vice President of the National Black Justice Coalition and a past board member of Zuna Institute, a black lesbian advocacy organization. Ms Payne is also a member of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC since 1989. Payne graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in political science in 1986.