David Nelson, 2000

David Nelson (b. 1962) served from 1978 to 2001 as a professional marketer and writer in the United States. His interests include the studies of genealogy, history and politics. He attended the University of Utah and lives with disabilities in Salt Lake City.

In genealogy and history, he is a member of several Salem Witch Trials families whereby he owns the family-history group Bloodlines of Salem. He is also a member of the Plantagenet royal family whereby he is a descendant member of the Friends and Companions of the College of St. George at Windsor Castle.

In politics, he is a member of the political Cannon Family whereby he served since 1980 as a gay Democratic politician. He served in politics as a party leader, a presidential campaigns leader and a delegate at the 1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions. He served in government as a city-government commission nominee and council candidate, a county-government public-information officer and social-service adviser, a state-government lobbyist and a federal-government hate-crime adviser. He wrote and lobbied successfully for the adoption of several public laws including two Utah hate-crime laws, a state viatical-settlement law and two Salt Lake County nondiscrimination laws. He owns the Second Amendment group Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah and is an annual member of the National Rifle Association of America Inc.

He founded or co-founded 16 state and national groups, and directed several more. His work was cited internationally by more than 1,973 reports and commentaries published by newspapers, broadcasts, magazines and books including A&E Network, The Associated Press, The (London) Sun, The New York Times and USA Today.

Recognition of his work includes:

Salt Lake City Weekly Best of Utah "Best 'Cold Dead Hands'" Award winner (2008)
Deseret Morning News "Political pioneers, then and now, deserve thanks" encomiant (2006)
Utah Stonewall Historical Society Milestone Award nominee (2003)
U.S. Department of Justice encomiant (1999)
Democratic National Committee Lawrence O'Brien Award winner (1998)
Utah Pride Inc. Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award nominee (1997-2003)
Salt Lake County Board of Commissioners encomiant (1995)
Utah Stonewall Center Diversity Is Great Lifetime Achievement Award nominee (1995)
People with AIDS Coalition of Utah Community Award In Politics nominee (1994)
Utah Stonewall Center Diversity Is Great Award winner (1993)
Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats Board of Directors Founder's Award winner (1990)
Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah Inc. encomiant (1987)
Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival encomiant (1983-6)