FEATURED GUEST AND PANELIST

Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, has become a leading voice for LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights. Represented by Keppler Speakers, he speaks nationally on equality, justice, and the power of love.

He is the co-founder of Equality Vines, a cause-based wine label in Sonoma County, CA that supports civil rights organizations through the sale of premium wines. Jim also serves as Executive Producer of The JustMarried Project, a multimedia initiative that includes a documentary series, podcast, and forthcoming coffee table book chronicling the love stories that shaped the marriage equality movement. He co-authored the book Love Wins, published by William Morrow, and has contributed essays, op-eds, book chapters, and forewords on LGBTQ+ topics and advocacy.

Jim currently serves on the boards of Family Equality and Equality Sandusky. He previously served on the board of SAGE and was a staff member at Family Equality. In 2022, he ran for the Ohio House of Representatives, bringing his passion for equity into the political arena. Before his advocacy work, Jim held roles as a high school German teacher, corporate trainer, relationship manager, software education consultant, and real estate agent.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Jim also holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Brandeis University. In his free time, he enjoys photography, travel, choral singing, painting, reading, and visiting art museums.

Senior VP, Public Policy & Access, National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

PANEL MODERATOR

Nathan Schaefer, MSW, is the Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Access for the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBD), where he has worked for nearly ten years. He currently chairs the American Plasma Users Coalition (APPLUS) and serves on the World Federation of Hemophilia’s Blood and Product Safety Committee. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s LGBTQ advocacy organization, and as Director of Public Policy at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation's oldest HIV service organization. A proud graduate of Perkins High School, Nathan earned his bachelor’s degree from Miami University and his Master of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University. He first discovered his voice as an advocate when the Cleveland Plain Dealer published his Letter to the Editor following Ohio’s 2004 constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Comedian, Actor, and Sandusky Native

PANELIST

Tim Murray is a comedian, writer, and actor who recently completed an award-winning and critically acclaimed run of his one-man show Tim Murray Is Witches at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He can be seen on The Other Two (HBO Max), in the film Swan Song starring Jennifer Coolidge, and across TikTok, where his viral sketch comedy videos—including the hit series Every Conversation in LA—have earned more than 4.4 million likes.

Tim was an original cast member of 50 Shades: The Musical Off-Broadway (New York Times Critics’ Pick) and Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody Off-West End. His sketch comedy TV show Wish You Were Queer, co-starring Trixie Mattel, premiered May 22 on OutTV. He also hosts the Slumber Party podcast on iHeartRadio and is a regular guest on Las Culturistas LIVE. His play The Mentor is currently in development with Olivier Award-winning director Tye Blue. Tim is a proud graduate of Sandusky City Schools.

New York Times–Bestselling, GLAAD Media Award–winning Scriptwriter

PANELIST

Grace Ellis is a New York Times–bestselling, GLAAD Media Award–winning scriptwriter. Her graphic novels include the widely acclaimed Lumberjanes—which has sold over two million copies worldwide—the long-running Moonstruck, and several works for DC Comics. Her most recent book, Flung Out of Space: Inspired by the Indecent Adventures of Patricia Highsmith, won the 2023 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work and was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2022. In the same year, she received the Ohio Individual Excellence Award in playwriting for Holding It Together, a site-specific play for high schools. A proud Midwesterner, Grace lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she can often be found enjoying ice cream or petting animals.

Trans Advocate Living with Authenticity and Resilience

PANELIST

Mickey Andrew is a transsexual gay man who takes pride in living with joy and authenticity. He began high school at Huron High and later earned his diploma from Townsend Community School. Passionate about fostering understanding, he often serves as the first openly transgender person others have met. Mickey has navigated challenges, including limited access to gender-affirming care, with resilience and optimism. He acknowledges that not everyone can brush off negativity the same way, and encourages empathy and compassion. His outlook isn’t about ignoring hardship—it’s about surviving with strength and joy intact. Mickey is deeply grateful for the support of his family, friends, and loving partner.