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Gays Take
Control
Of
Councils In 3 Cities
by Doug
Windsor, 365Gay.com New York Bureau
From the
Web, January 5, 2006
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New York City, Jan. 4 -- New
Jersey has its first gay mayor, a gay man was returned to the mayor's chair in
Cambridge, Massachusetts and a prominent lesbian became Speaker of the NYC
Council, while in Arizona a lesbian joined the state Senate -- all in all it has
been a good week for LGBT politicians.
Christine Quinn was sworn in at a noon ceremony at New York City Hall on
Wednesday. She is the first woman and the first out lesbian to serve as
Speaker, the second most powerful position in the city after Mayor Michael
Bloomberg.
Her confirmation vote this morning was no surprise after her only serious rival,
Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), withdrew Monday when the powerful Queens
delegation, with 13 Democrats, announced it was backing her.
"The fact that she has personally experienced the challenges faced by lesbian
and gay New Yorkers and our families and can share those experiences with her
colleagues from a place of leadership is good for our community," said Alan Van
Capelle, Executive Director of the Pride Agenda. "And it will be good for
any New Yorker who has ever had to fight for equality or justice."
Tuesday night Gina Genovese became the first gay mayor in New Jersey.
Genovese was elected mayor by the Long Hill Township Committee. The
committee is the municipal council in the Morris County community.
An openly gay Democrat in a predominantly Republican municipality in a
predominantly Republican county Genovese was elected unanimously by the 5 member
committee. Three of the members are Republicans.
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kenneth E. Reeves was elected by the city council
on Monday to serve as mayor. Reeves previously served as mayor for two
terms from 1992 to 1995. He was the first openly gay and black mayor in
the country.
"Any one of us could be the mayor; every two years we change the mayor. It
is an odd process. I promise to serve you to the best of my ability,” said
Reeves following Monday night's vote.
In addition to the three LGBT municipal gains, Paula Aboud was sworn in this
week as state Senator in Arizona.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to appoint her to the District 28
Senate seat vacated by the resignation of Gabrielle Giffords. She's
running for the Congressional seat being vacated by gay retiring longtime Rep.
Jim Kolbe.
Aboud will serve out the remainder of Giffords' term, which expires at the end
of this year. Her only previous foray into politics as a candidate was an
unsuccessful 2001 run for the Tucson City Council.
(Abridged)
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