Alabama Elects
First Openly Gay Male Official

Alabama voters selected the state's first openly gay male official for a seat on the Birmingham board of education, according to the Victory Fund, a group that helps LGBT politicians win elected office.

Howard Bayless, 42, is a former board chairman of Equality Alabama and is currently the cochair of the Equality Federation. He is also the corporate director of development for Bradford Health Services, according to the Birmingham News.

Bayless, who won with 4,059 votes, defeated his opponent, Earnest Lumpkin, a manager of the Woodlawn branch of Regions Bank, who took 1,154 votes, according to the newspaper. Neither candidate had political experience.

"Howard Bayless is a hero to gay people in Alabama, but his election proves that all kinds of voters respond to real leadership," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. "There will come a time when gay and lesbian candidates will be able to win across the state, and people like Howard will be remembered as the trailblazers."

His election follows that of Alabama representative Patricia Todd, who last year became the first gay or lesbian candidate elected to any office in the state.

Bayless's seat was left open by Mike Higginhotham, who resigned early so voters could decide on his successor at the same time they voted for the city's mayor. (The Advocate)