Gay Politics Report

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November 9, 2012

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Top Story

“Breathtaking leap forward” for LGBT equality
Elections in the U.S. this week delivered unprecedented victories for the nation’s LGBT community, including a clean sweep of marriage-related ballot initiatives, the first openly gay U.S. senator and at least three new out members of the U.S. House of Representatives. "This wasn’t incremental progress. This was a breathtaking leap forward,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, describing Election Day outcomes. Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin agreed, calling 2012 “a milestone year” for LGBT political causes. The Atlantic online (11/8), CNN (11/7), BuzzFeed (11/7), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/7)

7 states gain their first LGBT state legislators: Openly LGBT candidates made history in state legislative races across the country this year, winning seats in states where they will be the first or only out lawmakers, including Florida, West Virginia, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. The wins leave just 10 states with no out lawmakers in their legislatures. In New Hampshire, Stacie Laughton became the first openly transgender candidate elected to a state legislature in the U.S. Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.)/Poliglot (11/8), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (11/8)

Gay, lesbian lawmakers set to take charge in Colo., Ore.: Openly gay Colorado State Rep. Mark Ferrandino was nominated by his peers to become the next speaker of the state’s House of Representatives after Democrats took control of the chamber in Tuesday’s elections. Meanwhile, the Democratic takeover of the Oregon House means Rep. Tina Kotek is expected to become the first openly lesbian speaker of a state house in U.S. history. The California and Rhode Island legislatures are currently served by openly gay house speakers. The Denver Post (11/9), The Oregonian (Portland) (11/7)

Politics and Policy

Maryland’s out lawmakers celebrate marriage victory
This video follows openly gay Maryland State Sen. Rich Madaleno on election night as returns showed the state’s voters backed a new marriage equality law. The Washington Post (11/7)

Incoming House Dems most diverse in history
As many as four members of the incoming freshman class in the House of Representatives will be individuals who are openly gay or bisexual. New women, Latino, black and Asian members will also make the House Democratic Caucus the first in history where white males do not hold a majority of seats. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (11/8), Bloomberg Businessweek (11/8)

Marriage victories could affect Supreme Court decisions
Tuesday's election outcomes in four marriage-equality-related ballot initiatives are likely to sway the U.S. Supreme Court's view on the issue, but it's unclear in which direction, according to this analysis. Some legal experts say the Court will see the results as a green light to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, while anti-gay groups say the outcomes prove that the LGBT community has the political power to achieve their goals through the legislative process. Chicago Tribune/Reuters (tiered subscription model) (11/9)

N.J. still wrestling with marriage issue
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a marriage equality bill has left the state's same-sex couples without the same rights as their neighbors to the north and south, but LGBT advocates say they refuse to take an option recommended by the state's Republican lawmakers -- a statewide ballot initiative. That would involve "a huge amount of work and money and time and nervousness that nobody should have to go through," said Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry. The Philadelphia Inquirer (11/9)

Other News

Mich. mayor who made anti-gay remarks removed by voters
The Huffington Post (11/7)

U.K. prime minister warns pedophile scandal could turn into gay "witch hunt"
Chicago Tribune/Reuters (tiered subscription model) (11/8)

Senate candidate aims for history in Kenya
Windy City Times (Chicago) (11/7)

Malawi won't suspend anti-gay laws after all, official says
Los Angeles Times/World Now blog (tiered subscription model) (11/8)

Opinion

What will you do when the U.S. election is over?

I'll be happy it's finally over and move on. 70.11%

I'm a political junkie. I'll probably experience withdrawal. 19.93%

I'm not sure. 5.83%

Sleep a lot more. 4.13%

U.S. not so puritan after all?
Loud objections in some quarters to a proposed marriage equality law in France may not thwart the government's effort to enact it, but the uproar could damage the country's live-and-let-live reputation, especially at a moment when an increasing number of U.S. states seem more progressive on the issue, according to this analysis. "Just who’s the prude now, chers français?" writes Bruce Crumley. Time.com (11/8)

A new Argentina
Daniel Politi writes about the upcoming LGBT Pride march in Buenos Aires, where tens of thousands are expected to demonstrate amid a dramatically changed civil rights landscape for the Argentine LGBT community. Under President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s administration, same-sex couples have won the right to marry and a new law extending certain rights for transgender people was enacted. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Latitude blog (11/8)

Leadership Spotlight

Will Obama appoint first out cabinet secretary?
LGBT lobbying groups say they don't expect to accomplish much in Congress while the GOP controls the House of Representatives, so they say they'll concentrate on advances President Barack Obama can make unilaterally, including the appointment of the nation's first openly LGBT cabinet secretary and the issuance of an executive order mandating non-discrimination policies among federal contractors. BuzzFeed (11/8), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (11/7)

Position Title	Company Name	Location
Associate, Partner Relations, Global Partnerships	United Nations Foundation	Washington, DC
Global Religon Program Lead	Arcus Foundation	nyc, OK
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Human Rights Program Lead	Arcus Foundation	NYC, NY
U.S. Domestic Program Lead	Arcus Foundation	NYC, NY
Executive Director	Reconciling Ministries Network	Chicago, IL
Development Associate	Fairness West Virginia	Charleston, WV
Director of Partner Relations, Global Partnerships	United Nations Foundation	Washington, DC
Senior Communications Director, Campaigns and Initiatives	United Nations Foundation	Washington, DC
Staff for youth and anti-bullying, senior to mid-level positions	Garden State Equality	Montclair, NJ
Post-election field staff, senior to mid-level positions	Garden State Equality	Montclair, NJ
Senior Director, Foundation Communications and Outreach	United Nations Foundation	Washington, DC
Senior Officer, Online Communications (UNF)	United Nations Foundation	Washington, DC
Deputy Executive Director for Development	Garden State Equality	Montclair, NJ
Senior Director, Digital and Multimedia Strategy	United Nations Foundation	Washington, DC
Development Associate	Capital Pride	Washington, DC, DC
STAFF OR SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY	LAMBDA LEGAL	DALLAS, TX
STAFF OR SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY	LAMBDA LEGAL	NEW YORK, NY
Youth in Out-of-Home Care Project Staff or Senior Staff Attorney	LAMBDA LEGAL	NEW YORK, NY
Director of Programs	Pride Foundation	Seattle, WA
Executive Director	Equality New Mexico	Albuquerque, NM

Click here to view more job listings.

SmartQuote

Yesterday was a turning point for our LGBT movement and President Obama has proven that elected officials can stand strongly on the side of LGBT fairness without fear of voter backlash."

--Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work, as quoted by The Washington Blade



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