Dixon Taylor has seen a few things in her long and decorated career. She’s owned her own real estate agency for 40 years. She’s worked as a sales representative and later as an investor owner and associate publisher for the former Southern Voice. She created the annual Good Friends for Good Causes women’s dance that benefited Charis Circle and the Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative among others, and she’s served on the board of LGBT business group the Atlanta Executive Network.
And she’s also served on the Human Rights Campaign’s Dinner Committee, was the first openly gay female to be appointed to the Small Business Task Force for the state of Georgia, and was an LGBT adviser to former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell. There’s more—she’s served on the advisory board of Pets Are Loving Support, served on the board of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, founded the PRIZM Ball to benefit LGBT youth at risk, was named by Atlanta Magazine in 2000 as one of 20 “Women Making a Difference” in Atlanta; and received a lifetime achievement award from the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in 2008.
So it goes without saying how proud we are to have her join the Georgia Voice as our new sales executive. Get to know Dixon a little better as we sit down with her for five questions.
What’s the biggest difference between working in LGBT media then and LGBT media now?
Clearly the biggest difference is the internet and social media. Anytime you want information it’s readily available.
What’s the most memorable thing a client has ever told you?
In 1993, a car dealer who was considering advertising in this “radical gay” publication asked me if I could remember when I decided to be gay. I believe my response was “Great question. It’s been such a long time ago. But I’m guessing it was about the same time you decided to be straight. When did you decide to be straight?” He bought the advertising.
Out of all the groups you’ve served with or positions you’ve held, which has been the most rewarding personally and why?
The Women’s Holiday Balls for 19 years and the PRIZM Ball for New Years 1999 and 2000. We gave a total of over $500,000 to women and children of physical and sexual abuse and GLBT youth at risk.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Don’t ever apologize for who you are.
What’s one fact that Atlanta’s LGBT community should know about you that they don’t already know?
I think they probably know too much already!