{{short description| LGBTQ+ activist}} {{Infobox person | name = Kim Fountain | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = 1968 | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = LGBTQ+ activist, CEO, former COO and executive | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = }}
'''Dr. Kim Fountain''' (born 1968) is the Deputy CEO of The San Diego LGBT Community Center. She was previously the Chief Operating Officer of the Center on Halsted, the Midwest's largest LGBTQ+ community center, located in Chicago, Illinois,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Center on Halsted - Chicago's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center |url=http://www.centeronhalsted.org/team.html |website=www.centeronhalsted.org}}</ref> the executive director of the Pride Center of Vermont,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/28/lgbt-advocates-supreme-court-follow-vermont/26508187/ |title=LGBT advocates: Supreme Court follow Vt. |last=Dover |first=Haley |website=Burlington Free Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vbsr.org/vtconversation/kim-fountain-the-lgbtq-struggle-continues/ |title=Kim Fountain: The LGBTQ Struggle Continues |website=VBSR |language=en-US |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8r2aBQAAQBAJ&q=%22Kim+Fountain%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA1207 |title=Proud Heritage: People, Issues, and Documents of the LGBT Experience [3 volumes]: People, Issues, and Documents of the LGBT Experience |last=Stewart |first=Chuck |date=December 16, 2014 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-399-8 |language=en}}</ref> and the co-director for the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dGQEAAAAMBAJ&q=kim+fountain%2C+adjunct+professor%2C+lgbt&pg=PA30 |title=The Advocate |last=Publishing |first=Here |date=September 27, 2005 |publisher=Here Publishing |via=Google Books}}</ref> Fountain has served on the New York State Crime Victims Board and is a trainer for the Office of Victims of Crime<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/HowWeCanHelp/dspSpotlightGallery_Ind.cfm?cs=kFountain |title=Consultant Spotlight |website=www.ovcttac.gov |language=en-US |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cchr/supp_info/HCSummitHateCrimesAndCommunity.pdf |title=Summit on hate crimes |publisher=www.chicago.gov |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102022455/https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cchr/supp_info/HCSummitHateCrimesAndCommunity.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' Reports Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://4cv6673q3rq92smo7p3grp2z-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2009_NCAVP_HV_Report.pdf |title=Report |date=2017 |publisher=4cv6673q3rq92smo7p3grp2z-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com |access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> She serves on the board of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.napawf.org/board |title=Board |website=NAPAWF}}</ref>
==Early life== Fountain grew up in Massachusetts. She is the product of an interracial marriage;<ref>''Queery'' podcast, 42:15.</ref> her parents, a white father and a Japanese mother,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/out-front-kim-fountain-leads-lgbtq-community-through-tragedy/Content?oid=3431645 |title=Kim Fountain Leads Vermont's LGBTQ Community Through Tragedy |last=Freese |first=Alicia |website=Seven Days}}</ref> married before anti-miscegenation laws passed. Fountain's father, who was in the army at the time, was told he must leave his wife up north while stationed in the American South, which he refused to accept. He was forced to leave the military because of this. Fountain credits her parents' interracial marriage and steadfast love for each other as providing the foundation for their acceptance of and love for her as a queer woman, since they "understood loving somebody that society tells you is not ok."{{Quote without source|date=January 2020}}
Fountain came out as gay in the 1980s, during college.<ref>''Queery'' podcast, 42:47.</ref> The first person she told was her residence hall director, also a queer woman. Fountain then came out to her roommates and her parents.<ref>''Queery'' podcast, 44:44.</ref> After college, she took a motorcycle trip to Santa Cruz, California, settling there in a "tight-knit lesbian community."<ref name="auto3" /> She moved to Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York in 1995 to pursue graduate studies at The New School.<ref name="auto3" />
==Education== Fountain holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst<ref name="auto3" /> and a PhD<ref name="auto1" /> in Cultural Anthropology from New York's The New School. In school, her emphasis was on studying issues of identity-based violence.<ref>''Queery'' podcast, 4:27.</ref> She did field work studying the Presbyterian Church (USA) in order to better understand the intersection of the politics of queerness and religion.<ref>''Queery'' podcast, 4:55.</ref>
==Career== Fountain has been working in LGBTQ+ movement since the 1980s, when she began as a participant in street demonstrations alongside other queer activists. She formally entered the field in 1995, when she went to work for the New York City LGBT Community Center,<ref>''Queery'' podcast, 3:40.</ref> where she spent a year. She then spent ten years working for the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, holding the office of Deputy Director <ref>''Queery'' podcast, 3:48.</ref> as well as associate director of Education & Public Advocacy.<ref name="auto2" /> Following that, she worked as executive director of the Pride Center of Vermont for five years.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/07/12/kim-fountain-to-leave-pride-center-of-vermont |title=Kim Fountain to Leave Pride Center of Vermont |last=Freese |first=Alicia |website=Seven Days}}</ref> She is credited with revitalizing the center, which was struggling to stay afloat financially when she started her tenure.<ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto3" /> Her current post as of 2019, which she's occupied for several years, is Chief Operating Officer of the Center on Halsted, the Midwest's largest LGBTQ+ community center, located in Chicago, Illinois.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}
Fountain has authored reports such as ''Rethinking Victim Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Victims of Hate Violence & Intimate Partner Violence'' (2010).<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |url=https://victimsofcrime.org/docs/Reports%20and%20Studies/WhyItMatters_LGBTQreport_press.pdf?sfvrsn=0 |title=Why it matters report |publisher=victimsofcrime.org |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205101716/http://www.victimsofcrime.org/docs/Reports%20and%20Studies/WhyItMatters_LGBTQreport_press.pdf?sfvrsn=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her speaking engagements have included the Chicago Equality Rally at the Andersonville Midsommarfest,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/85671001 |title=Hundreds expected for Chicago Equality Rally today in Andersonville |last=Staff |first=GoPride com News |website=ChicagoPride.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Chicago-Equality-Rally-At-Andersonville-Midsommarfest-Announces-Lineup-20170605 |title=Chicago Equality Rally At Andersonville Midsommarfest Announces Lineup |author=BWW News Desk |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref> the Illinois Women's Health Conference (at which she led the workshop ''Accessing Women’s Health: Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Women’s Lives at the Intersection of Healthcare and Knowledge''),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ipha.com/content/uploads/Events/Attachments/47-2017%20Conference%20Agenda%20-%20updated%203-21-17-636256917868607975.pdf |title=Conference agenda |date=2017 |publisher=ipha.com |access-date=January 12, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> the #WeAreOrlando rally in Burlington, Vermont,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/weareorlando |title=#WeAreOrlando |date=September 27, 2011 |website=CCTV Center for Media and Democracy}}</ref> the PricewaterhouseCoopers and Center on Halsted panel on LGBT politics in the workplace,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Panel-talks-LGBT-politics-and-the-workplace/59492.html |title=Panel talks LGBT politics and the workplace - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive |website=Windy City Times |date=16 June 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> Chicago Hacknight (at which she presented on Center on Halsted data), and Lesbians Who Tech{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}
===Teaching=== Fountain has been a university lecturer for 11 years, instructing in anthropology and gender studies. Her courses have included ''The Anthropology of Violence''; ''Sexuality and Nation Building''; ''Gender and Social Change''; and ''Gender, Race, and Class''.<ref name="auto4"/>
===Other activism=== In addition to her jobs and lectures, Fountain has participated in activism activities such as the AIDS Run & Walk Chicago,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://events.aidschicago.org/site/PageServer;jsessionid=00000000.app20119b?NONCE_TOKEN=AC391B9E3E640E4A21EBED8EF4B14C25 |title=Donate |website=events.aidschicago.org |access-date=January 19, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A Love Letter to Myself: A Chicago Variety Show promoting self-acceptance and empowerment,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/comedians-defying-gravity/2018/03/chicago-comedy-spotlight-for-monday-march-12-thursday-march-15-2018/ |title=Chicago comedy spotlight for Monday, March 12-Thursday, March 15, 2018 |language=en-US |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> and storytelling events in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/am-i-man-enough-a-storytelling-podcasting-show/Event?oid=69874674 |title=Am I Man Enough?: A Storytelling/Podcasting Show |website=Chicago Reader|date=23 September 2009 }}</ref>
==Bibliography==
===As author=== * *''Addressing Sexual and Relationship Violence in the LGBT Community Using a Bystander Framework'' (2012)<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Potter |first1=Sharyn J. |last2=Fountain |first2=Kim |last3=Stapleton |first3=Jane G. |date=August 21, 2012 |title=Addressing Sexual and Relationship Violence in the LGBT Community Using a Bystander Framework |journal=Harvard Review of Psychiatry |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=201–208 |doi=10.3109/10673229.2012.712838 |pmid=22894729 |s2cid=20648727 |issn=1067-3229}}</ref> *''Online Gay High School Offers New Safe Haven for LGBTQ Youth'' (2011)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.geteducated.com/elearning-education-blog/in-favor-of-gay-high-school-online-education-for-lgbtq-youth/ |title=Online Gay High School Programs for LGBTQ Youth |website=GetEducated |language=en-US |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> *''Rethinking Victim Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Victims of Hate Violence & Intimate Partner Violence'' (2010)<ref name="auto5"/> *''Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in the United States in 2008: A Report From The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs'' (2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://avp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2008_NCAVP_DV_Report.pdf |title=LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2008 |last1=Fountain |first1=Kim |last2=Mitchell-Brody |first2=Maryse |date=2009 |publisher=National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs |access-date=January 19, 2020 |last3=A. Jones |first3=Stephanie |last4=Nichols |first4=Kaitlin}}</ref> *''Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence'' (2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vawnet.org/material/culturally-competent-service-provision-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-survivors |title=Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence |website=VAWnet.org |language=en |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> *''Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in the United States in 2006: A Report of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs'' (2007)<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=27UxOAAACAAJ&q=%22Kim+Fountain%22+-wikipedia |title=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in the United States in 2006: A Report of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs |last=Fountain |first=Kim |date=2007 |publisher=National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs |language=en}}</ref>
===As contributor=== * ''Understanding the Affordable Housing Development Process: A Primer for LGBT Aging Providers'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sageusa.org/resource-posts/understanding-the-affordable-housing-development-process-a-primer-for-lgbt-aging-providers/ |title=Understanding the Affordable Housing Development Process: A Primer for LGBT Aging Providers |date=May 15, 2018 |website=SAGE |language=en-US |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> * ''Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence'' (2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rhyclearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/docs/21454-Culturally_Competent_Service.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116050408/https://rhyclearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/docs/21454-Culturally_Competent_Service.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |title=Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence |last1=Gentlewarrior |first1=Sabrina |last2=Fountain |first2=Kim |date=September 2009 |publisher=National Resource Center on Violence Against Women |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> *''Testing Women, Testing the Fetus: The Social Impact of Amniocentesis in America'' by Rayna Rapp (2000) <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LdUrBgAAQBAJ&q=%22Kim+Fountain%22+-wikipedia&pg=PR11 |title=Testing Women, Testing the Fetus: The Social Impact of Amniocentesis in America |last=Rapp |first=Rayna |date=November 23, 2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-96392-7 |language=en}}</ref>
==Podcasts== {|class="wikitable" !Date !Show !Episode |- |2019 |''Am I Man Enough?''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://allevents.in/chicago/am-i-man-enough-a-storytelling-podcasting-show/200016965583700 |title=Am I Man Enough?: A Storytelling/Podcasting Show |website=allevents.in |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> |n/a |- |2018 |''Queery''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.earwolf.com/episode/kim-fountain/ |title=Kim Fountain, episode #49 of Queery with Cameron Esposito on Earwolf |website=www.earwolf.com |language=en-US |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> |"Kim Fountain" |- |2016 |''Vermont Conversation''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vermontconversation.com/2016/06/17/kim-fountain-the-lgbtq-struggle-continues/ |title=Kim Fountain: The LGBTQ Struggle Continues |last=David |date=June 17, 2016 |website=Vermont Conversation |language=en |access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> |"Kim Fountain: The LGBTQ Struggle Continues" |- |}
{{Portal bar|LGBTQ}}
==References== === Notes === {{reflist}}
=== Sources === * ''Queery'' podcast, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kim-fountain/id1268343859?i=1000418568494 Episode 219] (Aug. 27, 2018).
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fountain, Kim}} Category:Living people Category:1968 births Category:American LGBTQ women Category:People from Park Slope Category:American chief operating officers Category:LGBTQ people from Massachusetts Category:The New School alumni Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Social and Behavioral Sciences alumni Category:LGBTQ rights activists from Massachusetts Category:American women human rights activists