Kelvin Atkinson

Kelvin Atkinson (born April 8, 1969) is a former Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing District 4. He previously served in the Nevada Assembly, representing Clark County District 17 from 2002 to 2012.

Kelvin Atkinson
Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate
In office November 8, 2018 – March 5, 2019
Preceded by	Aaron Ford
Succeeded by	Nicole Cannizzaro
Member of the Nevada Senate from the 4th district
In office February 4, 2013 – March 5, 2019
Preceded by	Steven Horsford
Succeeded by	Marcia Washington
Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 17th district
In office February 3, 2003 – November 6, 2012
Preceded by	Bob Price
Succeeded by	Steven Brooks
Personal details
Born	(1969-04-08) April 8, 1969 (age 56) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Nevada, Las Vegas Howard University (BA)

On April 22, 2013, during a debate on repealing Nevada's gay marriage ban, Atkinson announced on the Senate floor that: "I’m black. I'm gay." It was the first time he had publicly identified as gay.^[1] He became the fifth openly LGBT member of the Nevada legislature, alongside Senators David Parks and Patricia Spearman and Assemblymembers James Healey and Andrew Martin.

Atkinson and his partner were the first same-sex couple to marry in Nevada, which occurred on October 9, 2014.^[2][3][4]

Resignation and Federal Charges

On March 5, 2019, Kelvin Atkinson resigned amid federal charges accusing him of misusing campaign funds for personal use.^[5]

He was later convicted of fraud.^[6]

On July 18, 2019, a federal judge ordered Atkinson to serve 27 months in prison and pay $249,900 in restitution for his misuse of campaign funds.^[7]

Atkinson ended up getting out in March 2020 for a prison camp due to being high risk and the COVID-19 pandemic.