MISSION STATEMENT
The Summit is an effort to (1) acknowledge common ground between the faith and LGBT communities—that both want to live their lives openly according to their sincerely-held convictions, (2) explore ways that both communities can do so without coming into conflict, both socially and legally, (3) educate and empower community leaders and community members to support religious freedom and nondiscrimination in their own spheres, and (4) influence Idaho policy and legislation where gaps for religious freedom and LGBT nondiscrimination remain.
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The Summit aims to achieve these objectives by co-sponsoring the event with like-minded members of the faith and LGBT communities, as well as scholars with expertise in Idaho religious freedom and nondiscrimination law. These individuals will share their opinions during panels and workshops over the course of a day. Special attention will be given to galvanizing attendees to act by providing them with tangible actions they can take in their own communities.
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The first Summit was convened by members of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, together with multiple other partners, on February 21-22, 2019. Over the course of four panel discussions, 20+ speakers and 150+ audience members, of diverse backgrounds ranging from various faith traditions, to government representatives, to leaders in the LGBT community, came together to address how to adequately protect religious liberty and LGBT nondiscrimination in Idaho. The Summit was reconvened on January 10, 2020. Over the course of three panel discussions focused on LGBT nondiscrimination and religious freedom in public accommodations (the public business marketplace), similar panelists spoke on discrimination faced by customers and business owners. In 2021, the Summit turns it focus to the workplace.
PARTNERS
Organizing Committee
Tanner Bean: J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Religious Freedom Committee / Summit Organizing Committee Member
Tanner Bean is an attorney at Fabian VanCott who focuses on employment, litigation, and appellate matters. Tanner joined Fabian VanCott after completing a clerkship at the Idaho Court of Appeals for the Honorable Molly J. Huskey. Tanner has particular experience in the intersecting areas of religious and LGBT discrimination found in workplaces, housing, public accommodations, and education, largely from his time as a Fellow with the Fairness for All Initiative and Tolerance Means Dialogues. Tanner graduated with honors from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, where he served as President of the Trial Advocacy Team, Symposium Editor of the BYU Law Review, and Research Fellow and Student Management Board Member of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies. Currently, Tanner serves as a member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society's Religious Freedom Committee, has chaired the law society's Religious Liberty Fellowship, and is the founder of the Workplace Religious Accommodations Database (WRAD) Pro Bono Project. Tanner is one of the founders of the Interfaith & LGBT Summit.
Spencer Felton: J. Reuben Clark Law Society, University of Idaho College of Law Chapter / Summit Organizing Committee Member
Pedals, powder, and persuasive argument. Spencer is a devout cyclist of all disciplines and find the best networking tool involves the discussion of anything pedal powered. Working his way through law school, Spencer helped a struggling Boise bike shop rebrand and have the 3 strongest years in its 40-year history. When not on the bike, Spencer is scouting the snow report and seeing if he can attend Zoom classes from the ski lift wherever the snow is falling. However, since neither of those careers panned out, Spencer went to law school to fuel his passion for logical arguments and his curiosity for the surrounding world.
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Spencer is a law student at the University of Idaho and will be graduating this Spring with an emphasis in business and entrepreneurship law. He will be the first graduate of the JD/MBA program offered by the University of Idaho in connection with Boise State University. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, he attended BYU for a degree in English Language with an emphasis in forensic linguistic analysis. While there, he interned with the Utah State Legislator as a legislative intern for Attorney General Sean Reyes. While there, he aided in legislative drafting and was kept on as legislative drafting aid following the session
Following graduation, Spencer has accepted the position as Staff Attorney for the Honorable Bruce L. Pickett in Idaho's Seventh District.
Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln: Add the Words Idaho / Summit Organizing Committee Member
Chelsea completed her undergrad at the College of Idaho with a degree in psychology and minor in education. She has worked in the mental health field for nearly 17 years. Currently, she is employed as a habilitative interventionist with children with cognitive disabilities and their families. Chelsea is also a private contract consultant working on campaigns, social justice, and liberation efforts with individuals and groups, and providing facilitation and workshops. She is on numerous boards and action committees but is most known for her work as Chair of Add the Words, Idaho, a volunteer organization working to update the Idaho Human Rights Act to include protections for LGBTQ+ people. She currently serves on the Board of Advocates for Planned Parenthood of Idaho Votes Northwest and Hawaii, and is a committee member for Idaho Rural Community Collaborative for Underserved Youth. Chelsea served as the state liaison for Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign and holds a state, regional, and county position with the Idaho Democratic Party. She is a founder of the Add the Words Coalition and co-founder of the first LGBTQ Democratic Caucus in Idaho. Gaona-Lincoln was also a candidate for the Idaho House of Representatives 2018 cycle, in Caldwell’s District 10, Seat B. She resides in Caldwell with her wife, their infant Rolly, and senior dogs. Currently Caldwell lacks a nondiscrimination ordinance that would offer full protection from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to the LGBTQ+ community.
Rich Gardner: J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Boise, Idaho Chapter / Summit Organizing Committee Member
Richard Gardner is a fiduciary specialist with Wells Fargo Wealth Management, located in Boise, where he brings a planning-based approach to help clients ensure their investments are aligned with their personal and family values, priorities and financial goals. Prior to joining the financial services industry, Rich practiced law with Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy in Salt Lake City for seven years, where he practiced in the areas of estate planning, tax law, and probate and trust administration and litigation. He also served a one-year clerkship at the Idaho Supreme Court. He received undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University, a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, and holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation. At present he serves as the treasurer for the Boise chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. JRCLS is an organization of lawyers dedicating to promoting fairness and virtue founded upon the role of law through public service, professional excellence, and personal religious conviction. As a lawyer, an Idahoan, an American, an officer of JRCLS, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a father and husband, and as a human, Rich believes in the fundamental dignity and worth of all people and supports efforts to promote fairness and equality for all of God’s children (whether or not they consider themselves as such!). He is grateful for the opportunity to support the Interfaith & LGBT Summit.
Brit Kreimeyer: Diversity Section, Idaho State Bar / Summit Organizing Committee Member
Brit was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She relocated to Boise in 2013 to follow her law school dream by attending Concordia University School of Law. During her time in law school, Brit logged over 400 hours of pro bono service at various agencies and was an active member of the Student Bar Association. After passing the bar exam, Brit started her career at the Ada County Public Defender’s Office as well as becoming an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University School of Law. In September of 2020, Brit proudly joined McConnell Wagner Sykes + Stacey PLLC as an associate attorney. She is currently the President of her local American Inns of Court Chapter and the former chairperson for the Idaho State Bar Diversity Section. In her free time, she mentors law students, high school students, and is active in various programs like We the People and National History Day. Brit will never turn down the opportunity to get young people involved in their government and learning about the justice system. Brit’s life mission is based on the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To laugh often and much…to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.”