Kelvin Atkinson | |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate | |
| In office November 8, 2018 – March 5, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Aaron Ford |
| Succeeded by | Nicole Cannizzaro |
| Member of the Nevada Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office February 4, 2013 – March 5, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Steven Horsford |
| Succeeded by | Marcia Washington |
| Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 17th district | |
| In office February 3, 2003 – November 6, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Price |
| Succeeded by | Steven Brooks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 8, 1969 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Nevada, Las Vegas Howard University (BA) |
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.
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]
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]
