This slipped passed us, but last week Cambridge, MA voted in it's first black lesbian mayor, making her the first in the country.
The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has made history after the city council chose Denise Simmons to serve as the first black lesbian mayor in America.Gay political activists in the US praised Ms Simmons' selection by her fellow city councillors. Her predecessor, Ken Reeves, was also gay and black.
The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which campaigns to increase the number of LGBT elected officials, said: "We are enormously proud of Mayor Simmons. Like Mayor Ken Reeves before her, she is among our community's trailblazers. Today is a day to celebrate another broken glass ceiling."
Ms Simmons has served on the city council since 2001.
I originally read this on Perez Hilton! *ducks*
Thanks to Jessamyn for the link.
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How cool! Wow, Massachusettes is so progressive!
Awesome!
So, she's the first black lesbian mayor of Cambridge. Is she the first black lesbian mayor in the history of the United States???
How long before the US is ready for a black lesbian president? =8-)
ORIGINAL POST "This slipped passed us, but last week Cambridge, MA voted in it's first black lesbian mayor, making her the first in the country."
Nice.
I would just make one semi-nitpicky revision.
She is the first OPENLY lesbian black mayor. Who knows how many lesbian black mayor are out there but are forced to "pass" because of the stigma against homosexuality.
I think Cambridge in the UK can *just* beat this story for 'progressiveness' as it now has a Mayoress who used to be a man and who's partner is a woman who also used to be a man! (She's not black though, but I still think it shows that some people are becoming willing to accept others differences)
Interesting. Good for her, and good for them. I am surprised an entire community would express their support.
Wooo! go us! It's a little embarrassing that I actually live in Cambridge and had no idea this was going on, but it's still really cool.
Now, if only we could get more bike parking in the commercial zones...
Oh, my fair [former] city! This makes me extremely happy, even if I can't enjoy it because now I live in France and have to deal with fucking Sarkozy. Proud to be a Masshole forever and ever!
This is great news. I can't wait for that type of tolerance to spread to the rest of the country. And my sense is that the momentum our country has is pointed in that direction. That said, you can never let your guard down. There’s still a lot more to still fight for, of course.
So I only moved from Texas to Somerville (about a five minute walk to Cambridge) a few months ago, but I already have a few observations about this place. It is really cool that 1) Cambridge elected this lady--well, maybe. I haven't looked at her record or anything, and 2) It wasn't such a big deal that everyone was talking about it.
The Boston NPR affiliate played part of her first speech in office, and she sounds very cool. Some of the first things she pledged to do were to push through broader criteria on restraining orders and offer more protections for victims of stalking.
The Boston NPR affiliate played part of her first speech in office, and she sounds very cool. Some of the first things she pledged to do were to push through broader criteria on restraining orders and offer more protections for victims of stalking
The Boston NPR affiliate played part of her first speech in office, and she sounds very cool. Some of the first things she pledged to do were to push through broader criteria on restraining orders and offer more protections for victims of stalking
The Boston NPR affiliate played part of her first speech in office, and she sounds very cool. Some of the first things she pledged to do were to push through broader criteria on restraining orders and offer more protections for victims of stalking.