Lisa Gaddy was nominated by someone on a lesbian Yahoo group to be profiled on this site and we were happy to do it. She didn't mention some news that she and her partner got recently. They will soon be hosting an exchange student in their home for the upcoming school year.
We began by asking Lisa where she grew up and how she ended up in Arkansas.

“I grew up in a suburb of Chicago called Homewood,” Lisa said. “After attending college in Mississippi, job opportunities took me to Chillicothe, Ohio, West Monroe, La., Fort Worth, Texas, Jackson, Miss., and then finally to Little Rock, Ark. in 1994. I currently live in Cabot.”

Lisa works in the legal field as a legal assistant for an international non-profit organization – Heifer International.

What are your thoughts on coming out, advice to others, etc.?
“This is a very personal decision and should be based on one's own timeline and comfort level,” she said.

“My advice on the coming out process is to start with someone with whom you feel very ‘safe,' someone that you know will love you regardless of your sexual orientation. This will build confidence and a feeling of acceptance/security.”

What do you see in the near future and long-range for gay rights/equality?
“I think equal rights and equal protection for GLBTs is a long-term goal,” Lisa said. “Standing solid in what we believe is crucial for this struggle. For now, the best thing we can do is to show the world solid, stable individuals, relationships, and families that can weather the storms of life without crumbling on the journey.”

Profiles in Pride Questions:

Date and place of birth? May 18, 1963 in Harvey, Ill. (a suburb of Chicago)

What is your favorite food? Mexican (chicken burrito) and Italian (any type of pasta with marinara sauce)

What food will you not eat? Brussel sprouts and liver

What is the best job you've ever had? My current one with Heifer International

What is your dream job? To travel to exotic locations of the world to review high-end hotels and restaurants!

If you didn't have to work, what would you do with all of your time? Travel the world doing community service projects in 3rd world countries - bringing hope and making a difference in the lives of others.

Who do you admire most (living or dead)? My best friend, Charla. She defines true friendship and loyalty.  She has stayed by my side through thick and thin, through good times and bad for over 18 years. She's the “sister” I never had.  Her friendship has truly impacted my life like nothing else. I am a very lucky person to have someone like her in my life.

Who would you lunch with if you could have anyone (living or dead)? Tommy Johnson – my next door neighbor when I was a child.  We lost touch when we both moved away from our childhood neighborhood.  I later learned that he died of AIDS as a young man.

Who has had the greatest influence on your life?   My two sons – they are incredible kids!

What one thing would you not have done if you could go back in time? Got married right out of college.

What one thing would you have done if you could go back in time? It's easy to say, “I should have done this differently,” but the reality of life is that every situation in which we find ourselves has contributed to the molding of who we are today.  As difficult as some things have been for me throughout my life, those circumstances have helped me to become the person I am today and for that, I'm grateful.  As much as I might think that I would have done things differently if given the chance, I don't think I actually would do anything differently if I had that ability.

What is your favorite word? I don't have one.

Least favorite word? Any racial slur.

Favorite curse word? I try not to rely on cursing when expressing emotion, although “Crap!” pops up in my vocabulary from time to time!

What turns you on? Intelligent people with specific direction and goals in their life with a plan to reach those goals.

What turns you off? Judgmentalism, arrogance, and/or complacency

What word would others use to describe you?
Enthusiastic

What word sums you up? Passionate