User:Crv716/sandbox

Christopher R. Vasquez (he/him) (born July 16, 1983) is a San Francisco, CA-based LGBTQ activist and the Director of Communications for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Vasquez was born in Phoenix, AZ and was raised by his mother Ruby Diann Hornborg in Orlando, FL. He attended Edgewater High School in Orlando and attended the University of Miami where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in public relations and political science, with a minor in marketing. He has also attended San Francisco State University where he has done master's work studies in public administration. While at the University of Miami, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the editor-in-chief of the Ibis Yearbook.

While in high school, Vasquez worked with Equality Florida to help pass the Dignity for All Students Act, activism work that later earned him the honor of one of Teen People's "20 Teens that will Change the World" in 2022. After graduating from the University of Miami, Vasquez moved to Phoenix, AZ to serve as a legislative intern for Tom Simplot, the first openly-LGBTQ elected city official in Phoenix, AZ. In 2009, Vasquez moved to San Francisco, CA where he briefly served as a legislative intern for San Francisco District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty, whom he was later housemates with for nine years.

In October 2019, Vasquez was hired by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) as their new Director of Communications. During his time at NCLR, Vasquez has helped hire and onboard Imani Rupert-Gordon, the organization's first new Executive Director in 23 years after Kate Kendell left. Vasquez has worked on several national LGBTQ advocacy campaigns while at NCLR, including the passage of the Equality Act and the Respect for Marriage Act, the repeal of President Trump's Transgender military ban in the United States, and the federal response to COVID-19 and Monkeypox  in the LGBTQ community.

Vasquez is also a community-elected member of the Castro LBGTQ Cultural District and serves on the advisory board of the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza.Vasquez has also served in the past on the board of the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club.

Vasquez lives in the Castro District of San Francisco with his Basenji Ziggy Stardog.