National LGBTQ Task Force

Barbara Satin is the first transgender woman to serve on President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She is a former member of the United Church of Christ‘s Executive council and a transgender leader within the denomination. She has dedicated her life in serving the LGBT community through philanthropy, HIV-AIDS services and training of senior care providers. She recently worked on the development of Spirit on Lake, which is an LGBT senior housing project opened in 2013 in Minneapolis. She is also the Assistant Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force. In addition to her work for the LGBTQ community, she is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

The White house announced Satin’s appointment, along with 10 other individuals, on May 12. “These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles. I look forward to working with them,” the president said in a statement. The people who serve the presidential council are from different faith-based and charitable, neighborhood organizations. Together, they make recommendations to the administration on how to improve the partnerships it forms to serve the people in need.

Satin released the statement, “Given the current political climate, I believe it’s important that a voice of faith representing the transgender and gender non-conforming community—as well as a person of my years, nearly 82—be present and heard in these vital conversations.”