\u201cIt is a self-guided tour of Kansas City\u2019s very rich LGBTQ history,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cPeople think that things always start on the coasts and then slowly work their way inward to the Midwest. The Midwest is kind of like the last to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut regarding LGBTQ history, there is a lot that started here and ended up on the coasts. Midwesterners aren\u2019t very good at promoting ourselves, and so stories have kind of gone just untold or just tucked away. I really see the need to keep our stories alive for the coming generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barrett is willing to have tough conversations with people who disagree with him, politically, socially and morally. But he doesn\u2019t want to argue. He doesn\u2019t believe that accomplishes anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not interested in trying to defend or attack or be on the offense,\u201d he said. \u201cIf people are willing to say, \u2018I don\u2019t understand why there\u2019s a Pride Month,\u2019 I\u2019m happy to talk about that. If someone is politically or religiously different than me, I\u2019m willing to listen why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActually, I\u2019m quite curious sometimes about why people believe the way they do. I don\u2019t claim to understand everything, but the truth is, I don\u2019t really have to understand, but I think I can listen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBarrett, the vice president of the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce<\/a>, isn\u2019t a typical activist. He\u2019s willing to stand on the street corner holding a sign, when necessary, but he would prefer to bring people together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am more of a uniter than a divider,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that with activism or advocacy, there are no rules. I\u2019m not the one to be holding the sign, shouting on the street corner. I\u2019m not against that. I think there\u2019s a place for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut I\u2019m much more about building relationships, building community, spreading stories, uniting people and bringing people together. I refer to myself as a gatherer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unity over divisiveness: For that reason, Barrett is the June \u201cBlue KC Gamechanger.\u201d Launched during the 2024 season, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the Kansas City Current<\/a> have teamed up to create this exclusive program highlighting local individuals blazing the trail for all women across the Kansas City area. A Blue KC Gamechanger inspires bold ambition in all his or her work, enriching the community around them, and enacting positive change through intentional action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are very excited to honor Joel as this month\u2019s Blue KC Gamechanger,\u201d said KC Current VP of Community Relations, Ben Aken. \u201cHis important, impactful work uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community and telling their stories deserves to be celebrated, especially during Pride Month.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt came as a complete surprise out of nowhere,\u201d he said of receiving the news about the honor. \u201cI\u2019m quite honored to be recognized because I know there are many, many outstanding people in this community doing good work. By no means do I think I stand above them in any way, but I appreciate the recognition, and I\u2019m excited to be a part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJoel is a shining example of someone who stands up for his beliefs and wants others to be supportive of each other, regardless of their background,\u201d said Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christina Lively. \u201cWe are very proud of Joel, the LGBTQ community and excited to recognize him as our monthly Blue KC Gamechanger!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJune is Pride Month, which is such an important month,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cIf anything, right now, there\u2019s all the more reason to lift the voices of LGBTQ people because there\u2019s a lot of people trying to erase us and to take back the rights that were fought so hard for. So, I think it\u2019s a very timely moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about the \u201cBlue KC Gamechanger\u201d program, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n Blue KC Gamechanger<\/p> <\/div>\n Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>