Big Breakthroughs May Be Ahead for Out Candidates

Within days of taking her historic place as the first open lesbian in the Missouri state Senate, Democrat Jolie Justus was welcomed warmly by a Republican senator who acknowledged being called a "redneck homophobe" in some circles because he successfully pushed a ban on same-sex marriage into the state's constitution in 2004.

"I hope you won't find me to be that way," state Sen. Kevin Engler recalls saying to his new colleague.

The sincere handshake that followed was the beginning of a solid, collegial relationship between unlikely allies who hope to persuade the state Senate next year to pass a state ban on job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Justus introduced the bill. Engler is not only a supporter, but has talked it up at local Republican gatherings. "I have gone out and said that it's just wrong for a gay person to lose their job in our state just because of their sexual orientation. That's unjust, and we need to fight for those issues just like for fiscal conservative issues."

Engler hopes that the protections in the bill that are designed to ensure that businesses won't be hit by unfair lawsuits will win over enough of the 23 Republicans in the 34-member body to get the legislation passed. But, he adds, having Justus in the Senate is hugely helpful.

"Jolie has a very positive influence on a lot of people," Engler says. "And because the issue is so personal to her, it has to have an impact on people sitting next to her. Her colleagues like her. And by being an open lesbian, she makes people more open to these issues. They aren't hearing about discrimination second- or third-hand. This is an issue affecting someone they know."

All across the country, openly gay elected officials are making an important difference on city councils, in state legislatures, in Congress and elsewhere.

They now total 450. And the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which trains and raises money for gay and transgender candidates, hopes to double that number within a decade. In 1991, when the Victory Fund was founded, there were just 49.

Having done well in this year's primaries, gay candidates are headed toward gaining new ground this November. Among the exciting candidates:

— Annise Parker. She hopes to make Houston the biggest city with an openly gay mayor. Now Houston's controller, she's won citywide offices six times. While serving on the City Council, she was honored as the "Council Member of the Year" by the Houston Police Officers Union. She's the frontrunner.

— Simone Bell. Active in progressive causes around Atlanta for years, she's running for the Georgia state House. Victory would make her the first out black lesbian ever elected to any state legislature.

— Steve Kornell. A longtime advocate of anti-bullying legislation, he's a school social worker who would be the first openly gay person on the St. Petersburg, Fla., city council.

— Charles Pugh. A popular radio host, this city council candidate is running to be Detroit's first openly gay elected official.

Many promising campaigns are re-elections bids:

— Christine Quinn. She's one of the most powerful people in one of the world's most powerful cities. And she's running for another term on New York's City Council, where she is the first woman and first gay person to serve as speaker.

— Fred Chang. In little Port Orchard, Wash., (population 8,400) he's angling for another stint on the city council.

The lists go on and on. This year, the Victory Fund endorsed 76 candidates for 2009 races, plus seven early birds preparing for 2010 contests.

Step by step, as they win friends, build alliances and educate colleagues, gay elected officials are helping our country move forward. Together, they are an amazing force for good.

Deb Price of The Detroit News writes the first nationally syndicated column on gay issues. To find out more about Deb Price and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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