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标题：The State Of The States - legislative seats held by gay and lesbian politicians - Brief Article
作者：John Gallagher
期刊名称：The Advocate
电子版ISSN：1832-9373
出版年度：2000
卷号：Nov 7, 2000
出版社：Office of the Employment Advocate

The State Of The States - legislative seats held by gay and lesbian politicians - Brief Article

John Gallagher

Gay and lesbian politicians hope to win a record number of seats in state legislatures

Change usually comes in small increments, but this year's election offers the chance to push the number of openly gay elected officials to a new height. Seats in many state legislatures are up for grabs--and with them, the direction of gay issues in those states. Here is a rundown of some of the key races featuring gay candidates seeking election--or reelection--to state legislatures.

ARIZONA

Steve May (R), state house of representatives. May, a first lieutenant in the Army reserves, is expected to get an honorable discharge--recommended by an Army panel in September--for violating "don't ask, don't tell" by talking about his orientation in a house debate last year.

CALIFORNIA

Jackie Goldberg (D), state assembly. Goldberg is a Los Angeles city councilwoman.

Christine Kehoe (D), state assembly. Kehoe, a member of the San Diego city council, lost a bid for Congress two years ago.

Sheila Kuehl (D), state senate. Kuehl, a state assemblywoman, would be the first out lesbian in the California senate.

CONNECTICUT

Patrick Flaherty (D), state house of representatives. Incumbent Flaherty is seeking reelection for the first time since coming out last year. Evelyn Mantilla (D), state house of representatives. Mantilla is also an incumbent.

MAINE

Judy Powers (D), state senate.

Catherine Woodard (D), state senate.

MASSACHUSETTS

Cheryl Jacques (D), state senate. Jacques, who was first elected to the state senate in 1992, is in her first reelection bid since coming out earlier this year.

MICHIGAN

Chris Kolb (D), state house of representatives. Kolb is serving his fourth term on the Ann Arbor city council.

MINNESOTA

Terrell Brown (R), state senate. Brown is seeking to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Allan Spear, one of the nation's first out gay politicians.

Scott Dibble (D), state house of representatives.

WASHINGTON

Jim R. Morrison (D), state house of representatives. Morrison, a college student, won the Democratic primary in September. His father was seeking the Republican nomination for the same seat but lost his primary.