Jonathan “Jon” Sparer of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a retired architect who is active in the local Jewish and LGBTQ communities. He grew up on Long Island, New York, in the hamlet of Woodmere, where his father was an importer. After graduating in Architecture from Ohio State University in 1977 Jon moved to Los Angeles, California, where he worked first with architect Jack Chernoff, then with architect Bob Barnett until 1981, when he accompanied his future wife and college classmate who worked for Martin Stern to Las Vegas. Stern sent her to open a field office to supervise the reconstruction of the MGM Grand after it burned in November 1980. Once in Las Vegas, Jon began working for architect Homer Rissman on Steve Wynn’s future project, The Mirage. Although Jon switched firms, he continued working on The Mirage and other Wynn projects with Marnell Corrao, where he would stay until 2001. Ironically, Jon’s original supervisor at Marnell Corrao was his future husband, architect John R. Klai II; Klai’s subordinate in turn was Jon’s Spring Valley neighbor. After Jon left Marnell in 2001, he became a founding principal architect at YWS Design & Architecture. Although he has retired from full-time architecture, Jon has since designed the Temple for Congregation Ner Tamid (pictured above) and The Center (Las Vegas's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer community center). Jon remains active in the AIA Las Vegas Chapter as the incoming president as well as serving as a board member for Jewish Family Services Agency and The Center.

From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: Kelvin Atkinson came out on the floor of the Nevada Senate on April 22, 2013 while arguing against the state's proscription of same-sex marriage. On October 9, 2014 Atkinson and his partner, Sherwood Howard, became the first same-sex couple to marry in Nevada. Atkinson resigned his office on March 5, 2019 over accusations he misappropriated campaign funds for his personal use. He was convicted of fraud and sentenced to prison on July 18, 2019. ... Ruben Kihuen was later elected to the U. S. House of Representatives from Nevada's District 4. Accused of sexual misconduct he did not seek re-election in 2018. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: unidentified Latino man; James Healey [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 35, Democrat (gay)]; Heidi Swank [Nevada State Assemblywoman, District 16, Democrat]; Ruben Kihuen [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 10, Democrat]; Kelvin Atkinson [Nevada State Senator, District 4, African American, Democrat (gay)]; David Parks [Nevada State Senator, District 7, Democrat (gay)]; unidentified Club Metro owner; unidentified man; Mother Loosey Lust Bea Lady [aka Tracy Skinner (Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence)]; Tony Clark; unidentified Sin Sity Sister

From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: Kelvin Atkinson came out on the floor of the Nevada Senate on April 22, 2013 while arguing against the state's proscription of same-sex marriage. On October 9, 2014 Atkinson and his partner, Sherwood Howard, became the first same-sex couple to marry in Nevada. Atkinson resigned his office on March 5, 2019 over accusations he misappropriated campaign funds for his personal use. He was convicted of fraud and sentenced to prison on July 18, 2019. ... Ruben Kihuen was later elected to the U. S. House of Representatives from Nevada's District 4. Accused of sexual misconduct he did not seek re-election in 2018. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: unidentified Latino man; James Healey [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 35, Democrat (gay)]; Heidi Swank [Nevada State Assemblywoman, District 16, Democrat]; Ruben Kihuen [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 10, Democrat]; Kelvin Atkinson [Nevada State Senator, District 4, African American, Democrat (gay)]; David Parks [Nevada State Senator, District 7, Democrat (gay)]; unidentified Club Metro owner; unidentified man; Mother Loosey Lust Bea Lady [aka Tracy Skinner (Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence)]; Tony Clark; unidentified Sin Sity Sister

Interviewed by Monserrath Hernández and Rodrigo Vazquez. Born (1985) and raised in Nevada, Ace is the Senior Conference Sales Manager at Wynn and Encore. His parents immigrated from Dominican Republic and are casino dealers. Ace is a UNLV graduate with degrees in Business and in Theatre Arts. Enthusiastic support of local theatre arts, he is active with the Super Summer Theatre Advisory Board. Married to Raul Daniels.