Michael Gilson De Lemos
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Michael Gilson-De Lemos, popularly called "MG", is a Libertarian activist who is frequently on the Libertarian National Committee of the US Libertarian Party and is co-founder of the Libertarian International Organization in its current form. He is considered a major co-founder and synthesist of the modern Libertarian movement.
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[edit] Notable Activist
According to the US Libertarian Party Political Director, as of 2002 he had apparently served as a Libertarian in more government offices than anyone, and is "generally recognized as one of the most experienced and effective Libertarians" in government office. As of 2006 he is in a local board in Florida and active in election reform coalitions there. He has been called one of the leaders of the US Libertarian 'Revolution of Reason' in Science and Policy magazine, and is identified as a key promulgator of Libertarianism in articles of the JuanDeMariana Institute and other international classical Liberal or Libertarian think tanks. He is considered notable in coalition work. According to André Azevedo Alves a director of Causa Liberal, his writings and influence were, for example, key in the decision to create a Libertarian network in Portugal.
[edit] Public Intellectual
A commentator with a 'reputation as an observer given to intriguing factoids and a knack for engaging unusual people' (WTAN NEWS), he co-founded the popular Libertarian Radio Show FreedomWorks!, whose public affairs format features guests such as Congressman Bob Barr, Journalist John Stossel, actor Michael Moriarty, and an array of citizens "working to solve problems through voluntary, non-governmental" action. He is contributing editor to LibertyForAll, the Free Liberal, and columnist for e-zines such as Lew Rockwell and FMNN; is active in several coalitions, is on the board or is advisor of numerous Libertarian and educational groups around the world such as the Mexican Institute for Free Enterprise and Development and the Limon project in Costa Rica, where Libertarians occupy 10% of the legislature.
[edit] Futurist
Mr. Gilson's interests and work are far-ranging. He was for many years active in Penal Reform, prison abolition, creation of Permanent Funds, and futurism. He has been credited with helping coin terms such as 'space tourism' and 'restorative justice;' a paper he presented in 1977 advocating private space colonization is considered seminal to current Space Privatization efforts. For several years he headed with Timothy Leary and Dr. Roy Walford a 'Committee for the Elimination of Death' that through a series of colloquia and media initiatives helped make life extension research respectable. He also crusaded to prevent various legal regulations that potentially blocked the internet with Leary and futurist G. Harry Stine and that contributed to its spread. Their effort was viewed at the time by even many future minded Libertarians as, ironically, too 'Libertopian' or 'Libertarian-anarchist' to present to the public.
For several years he was a management systems and productivity consultant for major Fortune 100 companies and non-profits. Clients included American Express, Cargill, the US Energy Department, NASA, and the March of Dimes. Foreign clients included AluSuisse, Jaguar, Manor Bakeries, the Russian military, and Dofasco. His systems, which emphasize co-operative participation with workers and a wholistic approach, are in use around the world. He (2002) sponsors an invitation-only retreat for opinionmakers and 'thinkers on the edge.' He advises the nation's first gender neutral abuse hotline. He is at work on a variety of writing and activism projects.
[edit] Personal
Mr. Gilson is married to award winning photo artist and former model Julie Chorgo, a relative of Andy Warhol, and has several children.
[edit] Publications and Writings
Starting with cultural articles, he has begun issuing material on a variety of subjects available online, and has organized limited distribution manuals for Libertarian group operations, activist training, and industry.
