Patricia Todd
made history on Tuesday by becoming what the Gay and
Lesbian Victory Fund described as the first openly gay state
representative in Alabama history. Voter's in Alabama's 54th
legislative district voted to send the Democrat to the
statehouse.
The Victory Fund
endorsed Todd and helped raise tens of thousands of
dollars for her campaign. Todd has no Republican opponent in
the general election in November.
"The road to
equality in Alabama is a mile shorter today," said
Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. "Gays
and lesbians in Alabama will now have what all
Americans deserve--a voice and a vote. Alabama
knows well what a single voice can accomplish. We applaud
Patricia's courage in stepping up to be heard."
"From big cities
to small towns, from blue states to red
states--equality is winning," said Human Rights
Campaign president Joe Solmonese. "We were proud to
join the efforts of Equality Alabama and the Victory
Fund in helping fair-minded voters get out to the ballot
box. Representative Todd was supported by an intense
ground effort that involved a broad group of
supporters."
In other
elections Tuesday, Victory-endorsed candidate Rep. Karla
Drenner won her Democratic primary to advance to the
general election in November. Drenner is Georgia's
only openly gay state legislator. Allen Thornell, a
Victory endorsee who is seeking election to the Georgia
house, advanced to a runoff in his Democratic primary
election. "Karla's voice in the Georgia legislature is
vitally important. We're working hard both to make
sure she stays there and to help elect Allen Thornell
to join her," Wolfe said. Thornell would be the first openly
gay man in the Georgia legislature. (The
Advocate)
