Austin Elects First Lesbian Council Member  | News | Advocate.com

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May 13, 2008
Austin Elects First Lesbian Council Member

Randi Shade was elected Saturday to become Austin's first openly gay elected city council member. Shade beat incumbent Jennifer Kim with 64% of the vote to win the Place 3 seat. She was endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

"I knew it would be an uphill battle to run against an incumbent," Shade said to the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday. "But we built a broad coalition of support, and I think people are ready for a change."

Shade accused her opponent of being ineffective and inaccessible, criticizing her for sending misleading automated calls, according to the Victory Fund. Kim countered by saying that Shade failed to list fund-raisers on her campaign finance reports.

"I'm the most independent member of the council, and I'm proud of that," Kim said in the article. "This has been the greatest honor of my life, to serve the people of Austin." (The Advocate)

Reader Comments

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  • Name: Cathy
    Date posted: 2008-05-13 9:05 AM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    Frank: Let me take issue with your characterization of the "battle for equality." Ms. Shade wasn't elected to fight that battle, but to fight for all the people of Austin. But in doing that as an out lesbian she can be a unique and effective champion of equality just by being who she is. That works no matter the level of office.


  • Name: Frank Erdman
    Date posted: 2008-05-13 8:57 AM
    Hometown: Austin, Texas

    Comment:

    As a resident of Austin, I applaud the progress that the election of Ms. Shade represents, although I am sure Ms. Kim was also a progressive minded official herself, it should be recalled. One should have an element of restraint however in celebrating even important victories such as this, since the real battle for equality I believe takes place not so much on the city council level, nor even so much on the federal level, but rather on the state legislative level, as the battes for equality always have, going back to the question of slavery in U.S. territories in the 1850's. So one can and should take satisfaction over victories such as these, but bearing in mind that the real battles are fought elsewhere.


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