The Bay Area’s BOMB Power Moms

A strong 23-year marriage, 3 brilliant kids...oh yeah, and leading (and winning) the fight for the legalization of gay marriage in America—those are just a few of Kate's accomplishments. For 20 years this brilliant activist and lawyer has lead an LGBTQ civil rights organization, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NLCR). "We were founded in 1977 and have been doing bad-ass, life-saving work for LGBTQ folks around the country for almost 40 years," explains Kate. The group advocates for change through litigation (suing people or governments), legislation (getting good laws passed) and policy reforms (assuring that businesses, agencies and institutions operate in a way that supports LGBTQ people).  Before NCLR, Kate was the first staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. She lives in the Excelsior District of San Francisco with her wife Sandy, and their youngest daughter, Ariana, 14. (Kate's other two children are Julian, 20, and Emily, 35.)

Proud Moment: NCLR has been at the forefront of many big fights for LGBTQ justice, and there will be more to come, but playing a leading role in winning the freedom to marry nationwide in this country was a huge honor…and a great deal of work and effort.

Words of Wisdom: My job is very demanding and Sandy has been the glue that keeps all the pieces together. Her commitment to playing that role in our family has been so critical and helpful to me. I also try to keep most evenings free (when I’m not traveling) and to really show up when I am home. I’m the main chef and gardener. I love my work, but my family IS my priority. It has all worked because all of us, Sandy and the kids, value the work I do and feel like they too are part of a movement greater than themselves.