Phil Reese, February 12, 20010 -- Two months ago, Assemblyman John Perez became the first openly gay person selected for state House Speaker in history, but when he gets sworn in on March 1, he will be the second openly gay person to assume that position.

Yesterday, The Rhode Island House of Representatives selected and swore in Majority Leader Gordon Fox as the 222nd Speaker of one of the oldest legislatures in the nation.  The legislature of predominately Catholic state of Rhode Island--which is only one of two New England states without marriage equality, and the only state to never have passed a marriage equality bill--is now being led by an openly gay African American.  In March, 4% of state legislatures in America will be led by out and proud gay folks.

This is real progress.

In 1989 Republican US Senator Mark Hatfield's political career was nearly ruined when he was outed by Michael Petrelis at a fundraiser as he was supporting anti-gay legislation proposed by Jesse Helms.  At that time, being openly gay was a death sentence for a political career.  Barbara Jordan, the first southern African American woman to serve in the United States House of Representatives, remained closeted for her entire life, despite her life-long partnership with Nancy Earl. 

When Wisconsin Republican Steve Gunderson was outed in 1996 on the House Floor during the debate for the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, he became the first openly gay Republican in the US legislature, however he chose not to seek reelection.  However, another Republican in that debate--Arizona's Jim Kolbe--who voted for the legislation was outed after his vote, and became a vocal LGBT rights supporter for the remainder of his tenure in the house--another ten years.  Both are outspoken LGBT rights activists today.

While John Perez is a young, recently elected lawmaker in California, Fox is a veteran of Rhode Island politics, having been elected in 1993.  He's served as the Majoirty leader since 2002, and came out publicly in 2004, with no detriment to his political career. 

Fox's elevation is so important--not because he's the first gay state House Speaker to be sworn-in--but because he is also African American. When John Perez assumes the role of Speaker in California, neither of America's two openly-gay state House Speakers will be white.  This is an interesting moment for our movement--a movement whose major political organizations tend to be headed by not just men, but white men.  Perez's and Fox's respective elevations show in a very public way, the diversity in our movement.

As we reach for equality in the larger liberty, freedom and equality struggle in America, our movement is often taken less seriously than others whenever the question of leadership comes up.  Wealthy white men make terrible cases for a need for liberation.  Although those of us in Central and Southern Illinois know what struggling means, not to mention how much harder it is to achieve your goals and live your life when you're gay; the general image is that of the whiney wealthy white guy.  Its unfortunate. 

Fox's and Perez's new role as leaders are good for their states, because both men are hard-working and well-loved.  However, in terms of securing gender identity and sexual orientation employment non-discrimination nation wide, repealing the military ban on gays and lesbians, and securing relationship recognition to end taxation and rights and privilege discrimination; the selection of these two men by their peers just plain looks good for us.  We are a diverse community.  We are men and women.  We are all races, colors and creeds.  We come from the city and the country.  We work in factories, on farms and in board-rooms.  In short, we represent America itself. 

Congratulations go to Gorgon Fox and the state of Rhode Island, as well as John Perez and California.  I look forward to seeing what this will mean for their states and for the United States of America.

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. And now that the holidays are over, it’s already time for the Illinois primaries on Tuesday, February 2.

This past month, I had the opportunity to speak with Jacob Meister, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. Jacob is running a hard race in the primaries to be held February 2 in Illinois. After speaking at length with Jacob, and reviewing all of his positions and opinions, I am very pleased to endorse Jacob Meister for the U.S. Senate and I hope that you will agree!! The full story and interview with Phil Reese is on pages 4-5, so I won’t repeat all that here.

It’s easy to sit back and complain about what is going on in Washington. The gridlock and endless political games have many of us upset with Democrats and Republicans alike, and everyone seems to be wary of politicians. But, then I met Jacob, a successful lawyer who isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and who has a remarkably firm grasp of ALL the issues. Of course I am concerned with LGBT issues, but let’s be honest and admit that those are not the only, or the most important, issues facing America today!!

I encourage you to please take a look at Jacob’s website at www.meisterforsenate.com and learn his positions on all the issues facing our country. Then head out on Tuesday February 2 and VOTE ... it only takes a couple of minutes and it’s the only way that we can elect someone to the U.S. Senate who will represent us responsibly and intelligently. And before you start with the “it’s just one vote, it doesn’t really matter” routine, just consider how many political races in recent history have been separated by only a few votes!!!! Every vote DOES count.

The LGBT community has come quite a ways, but there is still a long road to travel to gain the equality we deserve. When we have the chance to elect someone of Jacob’s caliber, it’s our duty to make that trip to the polls and cast our vote.

We have the chance to make history here!!! Please stand with me at the polls on Tuesday February 2 and vote for Jacob Meister, a candidate who I believe will help bring the changes we so desperately need to the U. S. Senate!!

We all want to leave the world a better place for future generations. Now we have the chance to help a committed gay candidate get elected to the U.S. Senate and really help those changes happen!!

See you at the polls!!!

Until next month,

Dave Barker
Publisher, Out & About Illinois