Loretta Worthington, MA- Executive Director

Loretta is a queer activist with over a decade of experience working to reduce health disparities in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, specializing in the prevention and intervention of substance abuse including tobacco. Over the last decade, Loretta worked to improve LGBT health with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and served as the Chairperson for the LGBT Constituency Committee for the CA State Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs for several years. As the Director of Programs for Rainbow Health Initiative, Loretta leads the effort to improve the health of LGBT communities throughout MN.  Loretta was recently honored with the 2010 Troy D. Perry Living the Vision Award by All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church.

Ani Koch- Community Outreach Manager

Originally from Iowa, Ani is an activist and community organizer. In Dubuque, Ani worked with Gay Straight Alliance groups, opened a LGBTQ youth resource facility, and planned LGBTQ specific community events. Ani has had many roles working for grassroots political campaigns, most recently within the labor movement with Working America Twin Cities, Rochester, and St. Cloud.  Ani holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, criminal justice, and gender studies, was named an honorary recipient of the 2003 Matthew Shepard Scholarship, and is currently a Fellow in the Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota's Parity for Priority Populations (LAAMPP). Ani is a Trans Youth Support Network (TYSN) Advisory Board Member and enjoys serving on the network collaborative & event planning work-groups.  Ani can also be found entertaining on local stages as Johnny Lightning.

Melissa Eastman- Research Project Coordinator

In collaboration with the HIPS (HIV/STI Intervention and Prevention Studies) Program within the Division of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, Melissa coordinates a formative research project funded by Clearway Minnesota.The project involves formative research to develop a physician-delivered tobacco cessation intervention for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of HIV/AIDS patients and their experiences with tobacco cessation. Melissa has a Master's in Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota and her background includes comprehensive sex education, health disparities research, and complementary and alternative healing. She is determined to improve the health and well-being of all LGBTQ people in Minnesota.

Rachel Fletcher- Research Project Coordinator

Rachel is the new coordinator for the Exploratory Research Project on LGBTQ Youth Pregnancy Experiences.  As a queer-identified woman, Rachel has been a long-time advocate and activist within the queer and sexual health communities of the Twin Cities.  Her work includes direct contact with youth and young adults as a sexual and reproductive health educator, a workshop facilitator, and a trainer, both in the Twin Cities and abroad in Ecuador. Rachel has a BA in Anthropology and Spanish from Macalester College and is currently in school full-time pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of MN.  In her free time, Rachel is an avid cook.

Deb LeMay- Administrative Assistant

Deb brings experience in supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ individuals and their families through her work with PFLAG Twin Cities.  She is a Fellow in the Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota's Parity for Priority Populations (LAAMPP), and is a Certified Spiritual Director and serves on the Formation Team in the role of Supervisor at Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality in St. Paul. She enjoys working with people from many different backgrounds and holds a special passion for exploring beliefs and attitudes around sexuality and gender.