Michael Knote he/him
Michael Knote (he, him) founded Have A Gay Day as a social media presence February 25th, 2012. In 2016 Michael with the help of his friends and board turned the social media presence into a 501c3 non-profit organization. Michael has received multiple Community awards for his work including the Morty Manford Volunteerism award from PFLAG National. Humanitarian of the Year award from the NCCJ of Greater Dayton, the Ruby Award from the LGBT Her/ History Project and the Daray Lorez Community Activism Award. Michael has had years of experience as a Community advocate and Community Servant. He devotes his time to personal growth in developing his knowledge to expand the work of Have A Gay Day.
Laura Gentner Hutchinson she/they
Laura Gentner Hutchinson (she/they) is an intersectional allyship educator, consultant, and public speaker. She is the founder and sole proprietor of How Do You Ally Consulting. Laura has two degrees from the University of Dayton, including a Masters of Science in Education, where they also spent 5 years establishing UD's first LGBTQ+ student services program. Laura's research on what LGBTQ+ students actually want and expect in allies led to her mission to make "ally" a verb -- literally. She believes that allyship is incomplete without addressing multiple systems of oppression such as ableism, racism, queerphobia, classism, etc.
Laura started volunteering with Have A Gay Day after her wife, Andie, found joyful queer community as a volunteer. She also appreciates Have A Gay Day’s comprehensive community approach to LGBTQ+ support, and the team of volunteers who are passionate about making our community and world a better place for everyone, especially LGBTQ+ folks.
Laura grew up in Centerville, OH and now lives in Dayton with her wife, Andie, and their blue heeler, KC. She also volunteers with Alpha Phi Omega, a national coed service fraternity, and WrightChoice Mentoring, an organization that pairs marginalized college students with mentors in their chosen career fields.
Dee DiVittis (they/them)
Dee DiVittis (they/them) is an indirect tax senior at Ernst & Young, based in Columbus, OH, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Accounting and a minor in Public Policy and Leadership from Carlow University. As a co-chair of the Columbus Unity Group, EY’s internal LGBTA+ professional network, Dee directly supports the firm’s DE&I initiatives.
Dee is a life member of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. As an alumni volunteer, Dee helps student members and advisors with chapter finance concerns and has presented at conferences on various chapter finance and leadership topics.
Dee joined HAGD’s board of directors after volunteering during food pantry open hours. Identifying as a nonbinary and pansexual person, Dee understands the value that HAGD brings to the community by creating a safe and supportive space for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
When Dee is not working or volunteering, you can find them spending time with friends around Columbus, their family in western Pennsylvania, or at home with their two orange tabbies.
Cait Iovanisci (she/her)
Cait Iovanisci (she/her) is someone deeply committed to supporting marginalized communities and advocating for LGBTQIA rights, I am inspired by the impactful work Have A Gay Day does to promote inclusivity, acceptance, and support for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
My personal experiences have shaped my passion for serving others and have fueled my desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those in need. Having faced my own struggles in the past, I understand firsthand the importance of having access to non-judgmental resources and support systems, especially within the LGBTQIA community. The mission of Have a Gay Day, particularly its commitment to providing inclusive pantries and support services, deeply resonates with me, as I firmly believe that everyone deserves dignity, compassion, and access to essential resources.
Cait currently volunteers on Sunday mornings with the food pantry for Have a Gay Day and serves as the Secretary of Have A Gay Day Inc.
Bree Swanson (she/her)
Bree Swanson (she/her) has been volunteering with Have A Gay Day since 2017, and has been serving on the board since 2021. She is a student and mother, and loves listening to music. She keeps volunteering because she enjoys helping, and being around people she can relate to. As a bi woman, she appreciates that she gets to be authentically herself at HAGD alongside other amazing LGBTQ+ people and allies.
Amity Pennington (she/her)
Amity Pennington (she/her) has been volunteering with Have A Gay Day since 2018. She support’s HAGD’s mission because she believes in supporting everyone in the community, that everyone should be able to be themselves, and that everyone should be able to love who they love. Amity has a BA in international studies and her hobbies include travel, trying new restaurants and finding local places to visit.
