Lesbian Legislator Heading Up South Carolina Equality

Christine Johnson, a former member of Utah's house of representatives, is returning to her home state to head up South Carolina's gay rights organization.

Johnson has been named executive director of South Carolina Equality and starts in her new position July 1. The 41-year-old Democrat previously represented Salt Lake City and Park City in Utah's house, where she sponsored gay rights legislation and a resolution to repeal "don't ask, don't tell."

Johnson, who has a daughter entering college in the fall, also served on the boards of Equality Utah and the Rape Recovery Center.