News

Next: Madame Mayor?

"I want every New Yorker to hear me when I say: We are ready."

Pettis outraises all other Democratic candidates in 80th Assembly District

End of the year campaign finance filings with the Secretary of State show that Cathedral City City Councilmember Greg Pettis (D) has raised more money than any of the four other Democratic candidates in the 80th Assembly District.

Laurette Healey receives sole endorsement from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs

The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs has endorsed former Deputy State Controller Laurette Healey in the race for the 40th  Assembly District.

Flaherty ahead in 3rd District cash

Gay rights activist Patrick Flaherty holds a commanding lead in fundraising for Milwaukee's 3rd Aldermanic District race, campaign finance reports show.

Primary election approaches in Milwaukee

Patrick Flaherty, a candidate for Milwaukee Common Council, faces a competitive Feb. 19 primary. His election would make him the council's first openly LGBT member.

Chat with the nation’s first lesbian, African-American mayor

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=features&sc3=&id=55525 

Lawmakers aim to expand domestic partnerships

http://blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/01/lawmakers_aim_to_expand_domest.html

OLYMPIA - After Washington enacted a law in July 2007 that gave same-sex couples legal recognition, more than 3,300 couples from all parts of the state registered as domestic partners.

In hearings Tuesday in the state's Legislature, several of those couples voiced support for a bill that would expand that law to give same-sex couples the same rights that married couples have in divorces, property, estates, taxes, and guardianships.

Lowe helps Gainesville pass non-discrimination ordinance

Out commissioner Craig Lowe joins fellow city commissioners in protecting the rights of transgender citizens.

Gusciora bills to improve municipal court system advance

The New Jersey Assembly's Judiciary Committee released three bills sponsored by out Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, which will greatly improve the efficiency of municipal courts by helping municipal prosecutors more effectively carry out their assignments. 

Pereira endorsed by Jewish Herald-Voice

The Jewish Herald-Voice has endorsed Pereira's candidacy as Judge for the 190th Civil District Court of Harris County.

Vermont Lawmaker Does Double Duty As Comic

Rep. Jason Lorber does stand-up comedy when he's not legislating.

Simmons hopes to protect stalking victims

Newly elected mayor Denise Simmons pushes for broader criteria for receiving a restraining order and more protections for victims of stalking.

AP: Washington state gains sixth LGBT legislator

Appointment of openly gay Democrat Marko Liias gives state six openly gay lawmakers. "Voters are making decisions on people's character, and not their sexual orientation," said state Sen. Ed Murray.

Salt Lake Tribune praises lesbian Utah Rep. Christine Johnson

Editorial supports Johnson's legislation aimed at protecting LGBT citizens from workplace discrimination.

Cambridge elects nation's first out black lesbian mayor

Out lesbian Denise Simmons, a Victory endorsee who was re-elected to the Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council last year, has been elected mayor by her council peers.  She is the second openly LGBT African-American to hold the post, and the first out black lesbian mayor in U.S. history.

Dan Savage endorses Sam Adams

Nationally syndicated columnist endorses Portland mayoral candidate.

Sonoma County candidate Maddy Hirshfield featured in Bay Area Reporter

Paper reports that Sonoma County has the highest concentration of same-sex households in the state. "Considering that kind of demographic, it is about time we had somebody on the Board of Supervisors who can really support all the people," said Hirshfield.

Randy Bishop featured in article on gay elected officials

Home News Tribune editorial entitled "On to the day when sexuality doesn't matter" hopes for day when sexual orientation is irrelevant in electoral politics.

Victory Fund scores first win of the year in Guam

Victory endorsee Benjamin Cruz won a special senatorial election on Saturday, capturing 41 percent of the vote.

Lovell named Houston vice mayor pro-tem

Former Victory endorsee unanimously voted in by fellow City Council members

Bishop to be named mayor of Neptune Township, N.J.

Victory endorsee expected to be one of two openly gay mayors in the state.

Frank Ferri sworn in as Rhode Island Assemblyman

Victory endorsee Frank Ferri was sworn into office on Dec. 19, after winning a special election in Rhode Island's 22nd District. Click through to see video of the ceremony.

Being gay not hindering Polis' race

The fact that Polis is gay has hardly come up in Colorado — minus some derogatory name-calling on a right-wing blog — where he is locked in an intense, ultra-expensive primary battle to replace Senate contender Mark Udall.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram renews Joel Burns endorsement

"Our opinion hasn't changed: The Star-Telegram Editorial Board still feels strongly that Burns, 38, a Realtor and resident of the Ryan Place neighborhood, should be the voters' choice to succeed Wendy Davis."

Miami City Council approves domestic partner health benefit policy

The North Miami City Council adopted a new Procurement Ordinance which requires certain contractors wishing to do business with the City to provide equal health benefits to domestic partners of their own employees.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission candidate Jim Roth praised in editorial

Daily Oklahoman editorial praises Roth's diligence, omits mentions of his sexuality.

McAffrey proposes adding sexual orientation and gender to hate crimes law

Oklahoma's only gay state legislator proposes legislation, prompted by the murder of a 62-year-old gay man.

Ferri wins seat in Rhode Island Assembly

Victory-endorsed candidate Frank Ferri won a special election to fill a vacant Assembly seat, crediting his door-to-door campaigning and strong fundraising for the win.

Georgia candidate loses after anti-trans lawsuit

Riverdale, Ga., City Councilwoman Michelle Bruce, one of the few openly transgender elected officials in the U.S., lost her runoff election Tuesday following a high-profile lawsuit by opponents who charged she deceived the public by identifying as female.

Frank Ferri faces two challengers in special election

Aspiring Rhode Island Assemblymember faces two tough opponents in the general election Nov. 27.

Cloutier's mayoral race too close to call

The race for Vallejo's top political seat was a statistical dead heat after voters went to the polls Tuesday.

Troy Record endorses Zalewski

Zalewski wants to bring integrity to City Council

Lydia Lavelle receives endorsement

Independent Weekly endorses Lavelle in her race for Carrboro Board of Aldermen.

Mayor Villaraigosa appoints Saltzman to LA Police Commission

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today nominated City Ethics Commission Vice President Robert Saltzman to the Los Angeles Police Commission. Saltzman, who also serves as Associate Dean of the University of Southern California law school, will replace outgoing Commissioner Shelley Freeman.

The SunPost Endorses Frank Kruszewski

Frank Kruszewski is the only candidate who not only demonstrates a solid grasp of key issues, but also has a personable demeanor that makes him accessible to all Miami Beach citizens.

Councilman raises issue of homosexuality in city race

Fort Worth City Councilman Chuck Silcox urged a group of Republicans on Wednesday to vote for Chris Turner in the nonpartisan District 9 council race because Turner is Republican and straight.

Libertarian, 2 independents enliven City Council races

"I haven't stopped since the primary," Kraus said. "We've kept it in campaign mode the entire time."

Rep. Joe McDermott appointed to replace Poulsen in Senate

Openly gay state Rep. Joe McDermott will succeed Sen. Erik Poulson to represent Washington's 34th District.

Ken Zalewski featured in Metroland

Troy City Council candidate Ken Zalewski was featured in an article in Metroland.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram endorses Joel Burns

Newspaper says the Victory endorsee "is the most knowledgeable about city issues and takes the wisest positions."

Out California assemblyman has bills signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger

Openly gay California Assemblyman John Laird had two bills signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday -- one regarding water conservation and another involving the establishment of a coastal trail.

Anti-gay flyer targets Miami Beach Commission candidate

A mysterious flier recently appeared in Miami Beach featuring, in part, a crossed-out image of the supposedly gay Teletubby Tinky-Winky. Presumably, the notice is a shot at openly gay commission candidate Frank Kruszewski.

San Diego mayor backs marriage equality

The city's GOP mayor surprised just about everyone yesterday when he unexpectedly changed his position on a city council decision to support marriage rights for same-sex couples.  Councilmember Toni Atkins, an open lesbian, championed the measure.

Victory makes eight new endorsements

Eight new candidates have received the endorsement of the Victory Fund, bringing to 55 the total number of endorsed candidates so far this year.

California Senate may take up marriage bill again

Out Assemblyman Mark Leno will once again shepherd through the legislature a bill that would grant marriage rights to same-sex couples. 

Commissioner Michael Góngora Chair of “Green Ad-Hoc Committee” Holds First Meeting

The Miami Beach Mayor’s Green Ad-Hoc Committee held its first meeting since its establishment on July 17, 2007. In attendance were the following members of the committee: John Corey, Robin Jacobs, Debra Leibowitz, Mitch Novick, Patxi Pastor and Luiz Rodrigues. Commissioner Michael Góngora, chair of the committee, was also present.

Coluzzi elected in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Community activist and consultant Pat Coluzzi has become the first open lesbian elected in the state of Delaware.

Historic Japanese election ends in loss

Kanako Otsuji has lost her bid for a seat in parliament.  She was the first openly LGBT candidate backed by a major party in Japan.

Domestic partners register in Washington state

A new domestic partnership law, championed by the state's LGBT legislators, took effect this week. 

Eleven new endorsements

The Victory Fund announced 11 new endorsements, bringing the total number of endorsed candidates this year to 46.