Rafael McDonnell, Advocacy and Communications Manager
Rafael McDonnell is the Communications and Advocacy Manager for Resource Center, the
LGBTQIA+ community center serving North Texas. 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+A 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, Policy and Advocacy Associate
At Resource Center, Patrick works to advocate on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS
community in North Texas. Patrick comes to Resource 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 a 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 Advocacy Coordinator
Leslie was born and raised in Southern California. She spent 33 years in the radio and
television business.
Leslie has two beautiful and successful daughters and 4 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.” Her 9-5 job
is Insurance Assistance Coordinator for Resource Center in Dallas. She also serves as the
Transgender Education and Advocacy Coordinator for Resource Center.
For fun, she’s a contributing columnist for the Dallas Voice and a frequent resource for Dallas
Television and radio stations on issues relating to the transgender community.