To view the recording of this program, click here.

On Tuesday, February 7, the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will host John Jaruzel and Anne Backus, co-chairs of Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Oak Ridge, and Nathan Higdon, CFO of Knox Pride, to discuss laws and children of different sexual identities. 

This hybrid “Lunch with the League” event (available in person and virtually via Zoom), will be held at 12:00 p.m. ET at the Unitarian Universalist Church Social Hall in Oak Ridge. A lunch from The Soup Kitchen will be available for purchase or bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided. If you cannot attend in person, please use the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85481905266.

Since moving to Oak Ridge seven years ago, John Jaruzel has continued his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in East TN. As treasurer of the AIDS Housing Project in South Knoxville, he helps provide low-cost housing for people dealing with HIV/AIDS. He co-chairs PFLAG Oak Ridge, is on the Grants and Allocation committee of the East TN Ryan White Planning Council, and volunteers with the Bearden Central Baptist Church outreach group Samaritan Ministries doing HIV prevention outreach.

Anne Backus earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University. She worked for 33 years at Y-12 as a Project/Program Manager before retiring in 2014. She has spent her retirement volunteering in the community and is currently co-chair of the PFLAG Oak Ridge Chapter. She supports the youth at two local high school and one middle school by attending their weekly meetings. She assists the high schoolers in planning the annual Youth Pride Fest. In addition, Anne is a CASA volunteer and works with the youth at her church.

J. Nathan Higdon, Ph.D., is the CFO of Knox Pride, the largest free Pride festival in the South. He is a sixth generation Blount County native and is active in politics. Higdon is Chair of the Blount County Democratic party and was elected State Executive Committeeman for the 2nd Senate district in August 2022. He is a professor of Marketing and Economics at Mercy College in NYC and a Social Impact, Political, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant with Full Circle Strategies in DC. He will be discussing "The Slate of Hate & YOU," the proposed anti-LGBTQIA bills, and how individuals can have a meaningful impact in stopping them.

Guests are welcome to participate. The League welcomes members and nonmembers alike to all its first and third Tuesday noon gatherings. Anyone not familiar with Zoom meetings may go to https://support.zoom.us, then scroll down to frequently asked questions. Several days after each event, attendees may view the recorded session on the League’s website (https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge). 

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.