Brian L. Bates is the first openly gay Republican elected to the the Doraville, Georgia city council. Gates, born and raised in Denver Colorado, moved to Doraville, Georgia in 2001.
Bates is the co-owner and Principal of The Laurus Group, a professional consulting group that specializes in fundraising and annual communication plans for non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on fraternal organizations. He is also in charge of Doraville's annual Police Appreciation Day.
Brian Bates lost his first bid for city council in the conservative state, but says recent victory has little to do with his sexuality. "I am gay and there's no reason to hide it," he said. "I made the conscious decision to be open and honest about my orientation. It really didn't come up with my conversations with voters and for the most part, I don't think they care. It was not a campaign issue. There is not a gay agenda. It wasn't an issue."
