News & Views

Liberty Education Forum, a non-partisan think tank that advocates a message of gay acceptance to conservatives and people of faith, today announced that Randi, Philip and Jacob Reitan will join its growing Speakers Bureau. The announcement marks the first time a family (mother, father and son) has joined the Speakers Bureau of LEF.

“Issues of fairness and equality for gay and lesbian Americans are being discussed with intensity and passion around the country, and I’m proud my husband Philip and son Jacob will join me in being a part of the discussion in collaboration with Liberty Education Forum,” Randi Reitan stated. “We’re so proud of our son Jacob—his activism started the day he came out to us. He was the first out gay person we really knew. He educated us. He led us. Now, we hope to lead others to the same place of compassion and acceptance.”

Randi and her husband Philip are near-lifelong residents of Minnesota and were active members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They have three sons and a daughter.

Their youngest son Jacob was the first openly gay student at his high school, where he founded the institution’s first gay-straight alliance. Jacob went on to found the Soulforce Equality Ride in 2005 while he was a student at Northwestern University and recently received the distinction of being appointed by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to the state’s Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. Jacob has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and is currently a student at the University of Minnesota Law School. The Reitan family’s story is profiled in the award-winning documentary For the Bible Tells Me So.

“Randi, Phil and Jacob are living proof of the power individuals can have on changing hearts, opening minds and advancing equality for all Americans,” said Liberty Education Forum Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo. “Their commitment to equal rights, sensitivity to people of faith, and genuine love of all of their children—gay and straight—is one that will resonate with people throughout heartland America during this critical moment in our nation’s history when discussions about equality and freedom—from the kitchen table to the public square—are more important than ever.”

Those interested in booking Randi, Philip and Jacob to speak to their school, club or local community organization should contact Liberty Education Forum Deputy Executive Director Christian Berle at (202) 360-4445 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .