Kelvin Atkinson

Kelvin Atkinson (born April 8, 1969) is a former Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing District 4. He previously served in the Nevada Assembly, representing Clark County District 17 from 2002 to 2012.

Kelvin Atkinson
Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate
In office
November 8, 2018 – March 5, 2019
Preceded byAaron Ford
Succeeded byNicole Cannizzaro
Member of the Nevada Senate
from the 4th district
In office
February 4, 2013 – March 5, 2019
Preceded bySteven Horsford
Succeeded byMarcia Washington
Member of the Nevada Assembly
from the 17th district
In office
February 3, 2003 – November 6, 2012
Preceded byBob Price
Succeeded bySteven Brooks
Personal details
Born (1969-04-08) April 8, 1969
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
Howard University (BA)

On April 22, 2013, during a debate on repealing Nevada's gay marriage ban, Atkinson announced on the Senate floor that: "I’m black. I'm gay." It was the first time he had publicly identified as gay.[1] He became the fifth openly LGBT member of the Nevada legislature, alongside Senators David Parks and Patricia Spearman and Assemblymembers James Healey and Andrew Martin.

Atkinson and his partner were the first same-sex couple to marry in Nevada, which occurred on October 9, 2014.[2][3][4]

Resignation and Federal Charges

On March 5, 2019, Kelvin Atkinson resigned amid federal charges accusing him of misusing campaign funds for personal use.[5]

He was later convicted of fraud.[6]

On July 18, 2019, a federal judge ordered Atkinson to serve 27 months in prison and pay $249,900 in restitution for his misuse of campaign funds.[7]

References
  1. "In split vote, Nevada Senate passes measure to begin repeal of gay marriage ban". Las Vegas Sun. April 22, 2013.
  2. "With Nevada, same-sex marriage legal in more than half the states; W.Va. next". CNN. Oct 9, 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  3. "First gay couple weds in Las Vegas". POLITICO. Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  4. "Kelvin Atkinson says he's evolved in his 16 years in Carson City". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2019-02-10. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  5. "Nevada Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson resigns". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 5, 2019.
  6. DeHaven, James. "Former state Sen. Atkinson pleads guilty, used $250K in campaign funds for SUV, night club". Reno Gazette Journal.
  7. "Atkinson to serve more than two years in prison and pay nearly a quarter million dollars in fines". The Nevada Independent. July 18, 2019.


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