Lesbian Activist Short-listed for Position of Labor Secretary

American Rights at Work founder Mary Beth Maxwell could become America's first openly gay cabinet member if chosen to lead the Department of Labor in Barack Obama's administration. Though candidates including Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius and Michigan congressman David Bonior may be seen as higher-profile candidates, Maxwell has the backing of the Human Rights Campaign -- and fellow short-list candidate Bonior.

Mary Beth Maxwell could become America's first openly gay cabinet member if chosen to lead the Department of Labor in Barack Obama's administration. Maxwell is the founding executive director of the labor organization American Rights at Work, established in 2003. Before that she was a national field director at Jobs With Justice and the deputy field director of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Michigan congressman David Bonior, who is also on the short list for the cabinet position, said Maxwell should get the job. Bonior, a 63-year-old Democrat, is reportedly reluctant to accept the position, saying such jobs should go to younger leaders, according to TheWall Street Journal.

Some officials with the AFL-CIO and Change to Win are backing Maxwell, stressing her support for legislation to allow unionization with the signing of cards instead of secret balloting. The Human Rights Campaign will also back Maxwell, though it endorsed California congresswoman Linda Sánchez, another possible appointee, last week.

"You would have received our letter in support of Representative Sánchez’s candidacy for secretary of labor last week," HRC president Joe Solmonese wrote President-elect Obama, according to the Journal. "While we remain supportive of Representative Sánchez’s candidacy, it has come to our attention that Mary Beth Maxwell is also being considered for this crucial position. Given Ms. Maxwell’s long history of leadership on labor issues, HRC is pleased to also endorse Mary Beth Maxwell for secretary of labor."

Though Maxwell is one of several candidates being vetted for the secretary position, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, Bonior, and Sánchez may be higher-profile nominees. Big names already chosen for the cabinet include Hillary Clinton for secretary of State, Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security secretary, and Robert Gates to continue as Defense secretary. (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)

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Name: Michael H.
Date posted: 12/4/2008 2:17:00 PM
Hometown: New York, NY

Comment:
Azboy and Sarah - is Janet Napolitano "out and proud"? The article states that Maxwell would be the first OPENLY gay cabinet member - God knows we've already had gay and lesbian cabinet members but Maxwell would be the first out to be completely out of the closet.
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Name: Roger Walcker
Date posted: 12/4/2008 1:28:00 PM
Hometown: Portland.Oregon

Comment:
This is fantastic for the GLBT community! An "out and proud" lesbian to be the Secretary of Labor. I live in Portland Oregon. We have elected a gay man as our new mayor. Sam Adams won with 58% of the vote, a landslide. When Sam is inaugurated on January 1, 2009 he will become the gay may of the largest city in the USA, third largest in the world, after Berlin and Paris. Next largest is Providence Rhode Island, which is much smaller. So I say to you, Mary Beth Maxwell: "God bless you and the trail you are blazing for all us in the GLBT community. Sincerely, Roger Walcker
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Name: Sarah
Date posted: 12/4/2008 10:39:00 AM
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Comment:
I was thinking the same thing, Azboy.
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Name: Azboy
Date posted: 12/3/2008 10:07:00 PM
Hometown: tucson

Comment:
Why is everyone ignoring the 800 lb gorilla in the room. Its a open secret here in Arizona that Gov. Janet Napolitano (tapped for homeland security secretary)is a lesbian. We will miss her here. She was a refreshing spot of blue in a red leaning state.

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