VICTORY FUND RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE PROFILE Jonathan Wilson for Des Moines (IA) School Board School Board Member Jonathan Wilson announced his sexual orientation at a packed school board meeting that was broadcast live throughout the state. In an act of uncompromising integrity and courage, Jonathan chose to come out of the closet despite a campaign of intimidation that included threats of violence against him and his family. A school board member for 12 years, Jonathan has been elected and re-elected four times, served as Board Vice-President twice and as Board President three times. He has also served as Chairman of the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), a consortium of all of the largest school districts in the country, and continues to serve on the CUBE Steering Committee. He has two children, both of whom graduated from the Des Moines schools. Even before coming out publicly, Jonathan was an outspoken advocate, both locally and nationally, for nondiscrimination, equal educational opportunities, and the Des Moines School District's multi-cultural, non-sexist policies and curriculum. Because of his national involvement, he is a frequent presenter at conferences and seminars and has appeared on all of the national networks, including CNN, CSPAN, the Larry King Radio Show, and other programs addressing a wide variety of education topics.