Rafael McDonnell, Advocacy and Communications Manager
Rafael McDonnell is the Communications and Advocacy Manager for Resource Center. At the Center, he works on external communications as well as leads a three-person team who works on education, advocacy and policy issues involving the LGBTQIA+ community on behalf of the Center.
Since June 2010, he has successfully participated in or led community advocacy for new or expanded LGBTQIA+ employment protections for over 55,000 public sector employees in North Texas, as well as partner benefits at both Dallas County and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
McDonnell has also worked on and advocated for anti-bullying and non-discrimination policies covering more than a quarter-million students at Dallas ISD, Dallas County Community Colleges and Uplift Education.
McDonnell’s 30-year career as a professional communicator includes working at radio and television stations in Dallas, Houston and Oklahoma City, where his work was honored by the Texas AP Broadcasters, the Dallas Press Club and the Texas Public Health Association. Prior to joining the Center in 2008, he was a member of the news office at the University of North Texas and participated in UNT’s Allies program. McDonnell is a former president of Lambda Pride Toastmasters and vice president of Dignity/Dallas, a group for LGBTQIA+ Roman Catholics. He is a former board member of the Trinity Valley School alumni association, a member of the City of Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission and has volunteered for the Tanqueray AIDS Rides & the Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS.
Patrick Hanley, Public Policy & Advocacy Lead
At Resource Center, Patrick works to advocate on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS community in North Texas. Patrick comes to the Center with nearly ten years of experience working in politics and policy both in Washington, DC and London. He spent four years working in a variety of positions in the office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), ultimately becoming Special Assistant to the Senator.
After leaving the Senate, he engaged in targeted advocacy and policy research as the National Security Program Associate at Human Rights First, working on issues related to counterterrorism and human rights. While at Human Rights First, he observed the military commission trials ongoing at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Patrick holds an MSc (with distinction) in Public Policy and Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BA (with honors) in Political Science from the University of Florida.
Patrick lives with his partner, Alex, and two kittens in downtown Dallas.
Leslie McMurray, Transgender Education & Advocacy Coordinator
Leslie was born and raised in Southern California. She spent 33 years in the radio and television business. She has two beautiful and successful daughters and four gorgeous grandchildren. Her transition has only strengthened the bonds she has with her children.
Leslie lives in Coppell with her wife, Katie, and Border Collies “Breezy and Patches.”
For fun, she’s a contributing columnist for the Dallas Voice and a frequent resource for national and local media on issues relating to the transgender community.