Jimmy LaSalvia facts for kids

Jimmy LaSalvia (born December 15, 1970) is an American political strategist and commentator. He is best known as the co-founder and former leader of GOProud, a political group that is no longer active. He has also worked with the American Civil Liberties Union, which is often called the ACLU.

Early Political Work

Jimmy LaSalvia has been involved in politics for a long time. He volunteered and worked for Republican campaigns in South Dakota and Kentucky. He also worked for the Kentucky Opera and as a real estate broker.

Joining Log Cabin Republicans

After a short break from politics, LaSalvia became active again in 2004. This was when many states were voting on laws about marriage. He joined a group that opposed a national change to the U.S. Constitution regarding marriage. In the same year, he started the Kentucky chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans.

The Log Cabin Republicans is a group for Republicans who support equal rights for all people, including those who are gay. In 2006, LaSalvia joined the national team of this group. He worked there until December 2008.

Founding GOProud

In 2009, Jimmy LaSalvia and Christopher R. Barron started a new group called GOProud. This organization was created for conservative gay people and their supporters. LaSalvia became its Executive Director.

GOProud worked to share its political ideas. They co-sponsored a big conservative conference called CPAC for two years. They also held their own event called "Homocon."

As the leader of GOProud, LaSalvia said he would support Michele Bachmann for president. This was even though she had different views on some issues.

In early 2013, LaSalvia announced he would step down as Executive Director. He continued to be involved by serving on the group's Board of Directors.

Becoming an Independent Voter

In January 2014, Jimmy LaSalvia left GOProud. He also changed his voter registration to "No Party (Independent)." This means he no longer belonged to the Republican Party.

Political Views and Books

In 2012, while with GOProud, LaSalvia supported Mitt Romney for president. Later, in 2013, he supported Robert Sarvis for governor in Virginia.

In 2015, LaSalvia wrote a book called No Hope: Why I Left the GOP (and You Should Too). The book talks about his journey to becoming an independent voter. It also explains his thoughts on different topics, like immigration.

After becoming an independent, LaSalvia supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

Personal Background

Jimmy LaSalvia was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His family moved a lot because his father was in the military. He went to Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.