DNC: A Banner Week for LGBT Lawmakers

[MaineDem]

For Immediate Release
January 6, 2006
Contact: Damien LaVera - 202-863-8148

A Banner Week for LGBT Lawmakers

Washington, DC - The New Year got off to a great start for openly gay lawmakers
across America. This week, in addition to seeing New Jersey's first openly gay
mayor sworn in, this week the first openly gay Speaker of the New York City
Council took office, an openly gay state legislator took her seat in the
Arizona State Senate, the first openly gay man to win an election in Oklahoma
was reelected, and the nation's first openly gay and black mayor was returned
to office in Cambridge, Mass.

In Long Hill Township, NJ, Democratic candidate Gina Genovese won a close
election to the town council by narrowly defeating a twelve-year incumbent
Republican in a predominantly Republican town in predominantly Republican
Morris County. Following the election, Genovese was unanimously elected by the
town council to serve as the first openly gay mayor in New Jersey history. New
York City Democratic Councilwoman Christine Quinn was elected the first openly
gay City Council speaker, largely considered the second most influential public
official in New York City after the mayor.

In Arizona, Democrat Paula Aboud was sworn in this week following her
appointment to the State Senate. Plus, two trailblazing lawmakers were returned
to office this week. While former Democratic Mayor Ken Reeves from Cambridge,
Mass.-who had served as the first openly gay and black mayor in the country
from 1992-1995-was returned to office, and Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim
Roth, who became the first openly gay man to win an Oklahoma election in 2002,
was reelected as Chair.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following
statement applauding these victories for LGBT candidates:

"This has truly been a remarkable week for America's LGBT community, and indeed
the entire American community. I am profoundly proud that the Democratic Party
continues to be the Party that promotes and encourages full participation in
the political process by Americans of every background. Today, thanks to Gina
Genovese, Christine Quinn, Ken Reeves, Paula Aboud and Jim Roth, our
institutions of government in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts Oklahoma and
Arizona better reflect the communities they serve.

"These dedicated public servants show that strong Democratic candidates of all
backgrounds can win elections anywhere in the country if they stand up for our
Democratic values. I join Democrats all across America in commending them for
standing up for those values, for their courage and for their leadership."

###

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.
org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's
committee.

[Rose Siding]

1. YAY!

:applause:

[wiley]

2. Amazing this is an issue

but great news!