San Diego to get
lesbian fire department chief

San Diego's city council will vote next week on whether to become the second city in the nation with an openly gay female fire chief. On Tuesday, Mayor Jerry Sanders named assistant fire chief and 22-year department veteran Tracy Jarman as his choice to lead the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department. Councilmembers say they expect a swift approval, and Mayor Sanders said, "I can tell you with all sincerity that I will sleep a little sounder on Monday knowing that Tracy is the chief." She will become only the second openly gay woman to head-up a fire department in a major city, following embattled Minneapolis Fire Chief Bonnie Bleskachek, who is the target of several job discrimination lawsuits--and the subject of an internal investigation--and has been on paid administrative since March. (Sirius OutQ News)