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First Openly Gay Man Elected in Alabama Posted by Danny, on October 10th, 2007, at 3:58 pm
Last fall, Patricia Todd became the first openly gay legislator in Alabama when she was elected to represent House District 54. This is not your father’s Alabama. 13 comments to First Openly Gay Man Elected in Alabama |
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Howard Bayless made news last night when he became the first openly gay man elected to public office in Alabama, 
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Just so everyone knows, the district he got elected to serve is the same as Rep. Todd’s legislative district, which has a large gay population. The story here is not that there is another group of voters electing a gay person; on the contrary, its the same exact (and very well organized) voters, in a very small part of the city of Birmingham. In Rep. Todd’s case, the gay organized vote defeated the black candidate in a majority-black district, which shows the power of the organized gay voting block in that district.
I have to say that “organized gay voting block” is the funniest thing that I have ever read.
Don’t worry, afc, the gays aren’t coming to get you. Both Patricia and Howard worked very hard to earn the votes they received, and despite what you might think, neither of their districts is majority gay. Plenty of straight people cast votes for them — because those voters believed they were the best candidates.
This not dad’s Alabama or his South. Maybe one day, like Diogenes we will elect an honest,frugal Legislature.
I didn’t even realize Bayless was a homosexual. Oh well.
The districts overlap somewhat, but each time voters picked the
most qualified candidate. Howard brings many talends as well as
a good attitude to the position (though I one has to question
the sanity of anyone who wants to take on that currently thankless
job). Beiing gay was as much in voters minde as Howard’s gender
or his brown eyes.
Howard understands the issues and what needs to be done. He knows
Birmingham and is a product of the school system, when, as
another friend once commented, Birmingham cared about its
children. He will work with people respectfully and will get
things done without worrying about who gets credit. I am very
glad that he understands that parents, teachers, students,
citizens–everyone–has to participate to have good schools.
I read Mr. Lumpkin’s statement in the paper and hope that he will
continue to be involved with the schools.
[...] Doc’s Political Parlor: First Openly Gay Man Elected in Alabama Posted Alabama Politics on Thursday, October 11th, 2007. [...]
Walt, your comment reminds me of a joke… (with apologies to some readers…)
Diogenes sets off with his lantern, this time looking for an honest lawyer. After some years, someone asks him how it’s going, and he answers, “Well… not too bad. I still have my lantern.”
[...] As Danny said yesterday, this is not your father’s Alabama anymore. [...]
The most interesting thing to me is that Howard was able to run and be elected without much focus on his sexual preference (which is exactly the way it ought to be). I do believe that a lot of people who voted for him had no idea that he was gay (which, it seems to me, is also exactly the way it should be). I find it hard to believe that a significant number of people voted for Howard simply because he was gay. I noted that the Birmingham News made no mention of him being gay in its report of his victory, despite the significance of him being the “first openly-gay man” elected in this state. Congratulations, Howard, and good luck with a very difficult job.
His picture reminds me of Al Gore or Martha Stewart…that smile looks forced.
I’m waiting for the day when winners of other elections are referred to as, “John Doe, who prefers oral sex, wwon the House 14 seat Tuesday.” I mean, really, at what point does anyone care what type of sex he likes.
To the last comment, when any group has long been (and continues to be) subject to discrimination and ridicule, then it is noteworthy when a member of the group achieves a milestone that has been denied them.