Kelvin Atkinson (born April 8, 1969) is a former Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing District 4. He previously served in the Nevada Assembly, representing Clark County District 17 from 2002 to 2012.
On April 22, 2013, during a debate on repealing Nevada's gay marriage ban, Atkinson announced on the Senate floor that: "I’m black. I'm gay." It was the first time he had publicly identified as gay. He became the fifth openly LGBT member of the Nevada legislature, alongside Senators David Parks and Patricia Spearman and Assemblymembers James Healey and Andrew Martin.
Atkinson and his partner Sherwood Howard were the first same-sex couple to marry in Nevada, which occurred on October 9, 2014.
Resignation and Federal Charges
On March 5, 2019, Kelvin Atkinson resigned amid federal charges accusing him of misusing campaign funds for personal use.
He was later convicted of fraud.
On July 18, 2019, a federal judge ordered Atkinson to serve 27 months in prison and pay $249,900 in restitution for his misuse of campaign funds.
Atkinson ended up getting out of prison in March 2020, due to being high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
External links
Nevada Assembly - Kelvin D. Atkinson official government website Project Vote Smart - Representative Kelvin Atkinson (NV) profile Follow the Money - Kelvin Atkinson 2006 2004 2002 1998 campaign contributions