District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku has been elected as Member-at-Large for the National Association of Counties’ LGBTQIA+ Leadership Committee. The committee is focused on promoting equality and representation in local government.
Commissioner Ku is recognized as Georgia’s first and only openly gay county commissioner. He has worked to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Gwinnett County, which is known for its diverse population. In the 2022-23 school year, Gwinnett County schools enrolled a total of 190,044 students, with enrollment increasing by less than 0.1% compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). White students made up 18% of the student body during that period (https://www.gadoe.org/).
Ku serves as the senior member of the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners. His new national role builds on his efforts to develop inclusive policies and increase representation both locally and across the country.
“This opportunity allows me to amplify the work we’re already doing in Gwinnett and take that to a national stage,” said Ku. “Our communities deserve more than representation. They deserve innovation, visibility and bold leadership that unapologetically reflects who we are.”
Ku brings experience in marketing, communication, and strategy to his position on the committee. He plans to focus on increasing local engagement, raising national visibility for LGBTQIA+ leaders in government, and working with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign to bring about change.
“As Member-at-Large, I’ll bring strategy, creativity and a relentless drive to elevate our voice nationally, build deeper local connections and make sure LGBTQ+ leaders aren’t just included, they’re indispensable,” Ku added.
