LGBTQ Trailblazer: The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek

The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek is originally from Chicago but Michigan has been home for many years. She and her wife have been married for 47 years with three married sons and seven grandchildren.

In 2007 she made national news when she was fired from Spring Arbor University when she came out as a transgender professor. While at Spring Arbor University Julie led the university into online education, developed three graduate programs, and was recognized internationally as an expert in adult education. She left the University after a mediated settlement of her EEOC complaint.

In 2008 Julie was appointed co-executive director for the LGBT civil rights organization Michigan Equality. She was the first transgender person to serve as executive director for a statewide civil rights organization

She has spoken at numerous colleges and universities as well as dozens of churches. Julie has served on three national boards working for LGBTQ equality including National PFLAG board of directors 

Julie is currently serving on the board of Outwords, the first-ever national project to document the remarkable evolution of the LGBTQ community over the past several decades, through on-camera interviews with the people who led, participated in, or simply witnessed it. She and her wife are featured in the soon to be released collection of the stories of 75 leaders and activists on the front lines of the LGBTQ movement, from the 1960’s to the present in “The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed The World” a stunning collection of interviews and compelling black and white photographs.