Janis Walters

Janis Walters is very much active in the GLBT community in Arkansas where she serves on four boards and is also active in other ways with the community. She was born in South Bend, Ind. and grew up on a farm about 60 south of there. She lived in Texas for several years after serving in the military and then moved to Arkansas to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren after her first partner passed away in 2002. Janis now lives in North Little Rock. We asked Janis a few of the usual questions. What kind of work do you do? “I am semi-retired, but do home maintenance and repair and painting part-time,” she said. “I spent several years in case management and project development for non-profit social service agencies in Texas, served as adjunct professor at TCU teaching classes on caregiving and assisting dementia patients.” Talk about some of the work you have done for the GLBT community. “In Texas I volunteered with Tarrant County Gay Pride Association and worked for two years in a group home for LGBT persons living with HIV/AIDS. “Since moving to Central Arkansas I have been involved with and serve on the board of Little Rock Capital Pride, Diamond State Rodeo Association, Center for Artistic Revolution (CAR), and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock. I am also involved in MEA (Military Equality Alliance) and Interweave and have spoken to several groups, churches and colleges about coming out and living as a proud member of the LGBT community.” What are your thoughts on coming out, advice to others, etc.?  “The most important thing is be honest and true to yourself. You have to learn to live in your own skin and deal with all that is involved with being who you are.  It is scary and sometimes threatening and can lead to loss of family, friends, employment and housing, but the alternative is dishonesty, depression and despair.” What do you see in the near future and long-range for gay rights/equality? “With the legislative climate in the U.S. and in Arkansas it is difficult to predict what may happen in the near or long-range for equality. But, I am quite optimistic that change will happen and the rights for LGBT persons in America will improve over the next few years. “I am encouraged by the advancements being made by our neighbors in Canada and Mexico as well as many other countries around the world. At my age, I am not overly-optimistic that marriage equality will happen nation-wide during my life time, but I will continue to work and advocate for rights and equality for our younger generation so they will not have to face all the discrimination and prejudice that many in my generation have faced.” Profiles in Pride Questions Date and place of birth? South Bend, Ind. – February 14, 1943 (my mother used to say I was the best Valentine gift she ever received) What is your favorite food?  Thai, Chinese and Cajun What food will you not eat? Sushi What is the best job you've ever had?  Caregiving and educating others in caring for aging parents and relatives. What is your dream job?  Nature photographer If you didn't have to work, what would you do with all of your time?  Travel and enjoy the natural beauty in this world and capture it on film for others to enjoy. Who do you admire most (living or dead)?  My mother, who died in 1999 after caring for my dad for 12 years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Who would you lunch with if you could have anyone (living or dead)?  My parents, my partner and Bill and Hillary Clinton Who has had the greatest influence on your life?  My mother, Mahatma Gandhi, Ralph Waldo Emerson What one thing would you not have done if you could go back in time?  I've made lots of mistakes in life and cannot change that, but I regret hiding my true identity for so many years before coming out. What one thing would you have done if you could go back in time?  Be honest with myself and come out at a much earlier age so that I could have enjoyed life more fully without fear of discovery. What is your favorite word?  Yes Least favorite word?  Can't or Won't Favorite curse word?  None are favorites, but I probably use damn more than any other What turns you on?  My partner, of course!  Also, I like challenges What turns you off?  Bigotry, prejudice, negativism What word would others use to describe you?  I have had several people tell me how brave and confident I am. What word sums you up?  Optimistic