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Justin P. Nichols, 26, is a Texas politician and community activist, particularly in the are of gay rights and juvenile delinquency prevention.

Early years

Nichols, a sixth generation Texan, was boring in San Antonio, Texas. His family moved to Plano, Texas in 1992. Nichols graduated from Plano Senior High School and received a degree from Southern Methodist University in political science. In 2009 Nichols returned to San Antonio, and he currently attends St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. Nichols' mother, Deena Nichols, an accountant and CEO for Any Baby Can, passed away suddenly on September 15, 2010 from a brain tumor.

Teen Court & Juvenile Delinquency Prevention

Since the age of 15 Nichols has participated in Texas teen courts. Nichols helped establish multiple teen court programs across Texas, including Brazoria County, Murphy, Texas, and Collin County, Texas. In 2006 the Collin County Commissioners Court established Collin County Teen Court, and Nichols was appointed as its first director. Nichols led Collin County Teen Court to multiple awards and established the MADD About Crime Scholarship Fund. In 2007 Nichols was elected president of the Teen Court Association of Texas - the youngest member ever to hold such a position. Nichols traveled the state advocating for teen court programs, and in 2009, led an effort to pass a state-wide funding initiative, which did not pass due to the Texas Legislature taking up the issue of voter ID cards.

Nichols also wrote and taught several courses for truancy prevention and cyberbullying, is a licensed instructor of the Texas Alcohol Education Program for Minors, and is a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Gay Rights Activism

Nichols, a member of Log Cabin Republicans, has been active in advocating for gay and lesbian rights and has written on the issues extensively, including criticisms of President Obama and the African American community for failing to support gay rights which supporting civil rights for other groups. Nichols is the first openly gay candidate in Plano or Collin County, Texas history.

In 2008 Nichols was endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in his campaign for Plano City Council. After learning of the endorsement the Collin County Commissioners Court began an effort to remove Nichols. Though Nichols was pressured by gay rights groups to force the county to fire him, Nichols entered into a severance agreement with Collin County on June 22, 2008, and although the agreement contained a confidentiality provision, public information requests quickly disclosed the agreement in which Nichols received $26.5 million. It appeared to be a typographical error, and Nichols only pursued the county for $26.5 thousand. The editorial board of The Dallas Morning News denounced the Commissioners Court actions.

Nichols has been criticized for his willingness to endorse and promote legislative initiatives which don't include gender identity in addition to sexual orientation protections. In 2009 the Dallas Voice named Nichols one of Dallas's 25 Future Pioneers.

2003 Campaign

After becoming upset by the disproportionate pay rates between football coaches and long-time English teachers in the Plano Independent School District, Nichols announced his candidacy for Place 7 on the Plano ISD school board. Nichols 18 at the time and still a senior at Plano Senior High School.

Nichols challenged incumbent, Alan K. Bird, who had been on the school board for 19 years - longer than Nichols had been alive. Nichols garnered 38.53% of the vote, more than any candidate had received against an opponent in more than 10 years.

2008 Campaign

Nichols announced his candidacy for Place 1 of Plano City Council in October 2007 after he resigned his chairmanship from the Plano Heritage Commission. Nichols had been appointed to the commission in 2004 and became its chair in 2006. Nichols ran against Pat Miner.

After Nichols' endorsement by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund became public, Collin County commissioners began to question Nichols' worthiness to work with children through Collin County Teen Court. Nichols' job was set on the Collin County Commissioners Court agenda for April 15, 2010, but was dropped prior to the meeting after local media reported the agenda item resulting in claims of discrimination and after Nichols exercised his right under Texas law to force commissioner to debate his job in public.

On May 10, 2008, Nichols lost his bid for Plano City Council after wide-spread publication of his sexuality, although he had been openly gay since the age of 16. Of those candidates who lost, Nichols received the most votes, and he later stated he did not loose because of his sexual orientation.

Media appearances

Nichols appeared on Plano Television Network for the dedication of the Douglas Community Art Wall.

Nichols appeared on Plano Television Network for the dedication of the Crossroads Family Services play therapy rooms in 2009.

Nichols wrote a column in The Dallas Morning News on the American Dream in 2008.

Nichols wrote a column in The Dallas Morning News on navigating complex corporate customer service schemes in 2007.

External links

• Justin Nichols Official Website