Amy Johnson, a Minneapolis attorney and longtime leader in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, is the new executive director of OutFront Minnesota, the state’s leading GLBT advocacy organization.

The founding executive director, Ann DeGroot, left the 21-year-old organization earlier this year.

Johnson’s credentials include serving as  board chair of the GLBT community foundation PFund and helping raise its endowment to more than $1 million.

She's also been president of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, where she co-chaired the local host committee for the national Lavender Law convention.

As a member of the American Bar Association, Johnson helped to ensure passage of a national policy against discrimination of same-sex couples in adoption cases. She has advocated for GLBT legal issues and equality as a member of the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association and Minnesota Women Lawyers and for civil rights generally as a commissioner on the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission.

“Amy brings outstanding leadership, vision and energy to OutFront Minnesota. She has been a catalyzing force in other organizations, and we’re thrilled that she is bringing her skills and talent to this position,” says OutFront Minnesota Board Chair Michael Robins. “Her depth of experience in management and fundraising and longtime commitment to community advocacy will serve the organization well. She’ll be a key asset in helping us move Minnesota forward to secure equal rights for all GLBT people.”

The organization describes itself as the state’s leader in providing advocacy for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. It provides public policy, community organizing, education and training, legal services and anti-violence prevention on behalf of GLBT people.  OutFront Minnesota’s mission is to make Minnesota a place where GLBT Minnesotans have the freedom, power and confidence to make the best choices for their own lives.