Lesbian Activist Short-listed for Position of Labor Secretary

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 The Wall 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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