Shannon Kenney, 26, is the current Project Director for the Coalition for Education on Sexual Orientation (CESO), whose mission is dedicated to creating well-being for LGBTQ youth in Illinois schools. Through her affiliation with CESO, Shannon has had the opportunity to work with the Allies Council for About Face Youth Theatre and GLSEN Chicago, as well as with many LGBTQ high school youth groups including the Questioning Youth Center, Morton East High School, and the Phoenix Center. Her role models include Wonder Woman, her parents and Michael Dukakis, whose campaign was the first she ever worked on.
One of the biggest issues facing the GLBT community is combating heterosexism, Shannon said, and she feels her work with CESO is a step in the direction of equality. ‘I feel this work is crucial to the fight for social justice and equality for all people,’ she said. ‘As we combat heterosexism in schools, we are also combating sexism, racism, ableism, classism … .’ Shannon is also currently active in fighting for equal rights for people with mental illness.