Brian Bates, a
36-year-old business owner in Doraville, Ga., is that
state's first openly gay Republican elected to office and
possibly the first in the Deep South.
There are nine
openly gay officials in Georgia, but Bates is the first
Republican.
According to a
report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bates won a spot on
the Doraville city council with close to 58% of the vote
after losing a previous try.
Bates is active
in his neighborhood association and has been a staunch
supporter of Doraville police chief John King. Bates has
lived in Doraville for almost seven years and credits
his support for Chief King and his high level of
community involvement as the keys to his victory.
"I am gay and
there's no reason to hide it," Bates said to the
Journal-Constitution. "I made the conscious
decision to be open and honest about my orientation. It
really didn't come up with my conversations with
voters, and for the most part, I don't think they
care. It was not a campaign issue. There is not a gay
agenda. It wasn't an issue."
Bates is a
longtime member of Georgia's chapter of the Log Cabin
Republicans and considers himself fiscally conservative and
socially moderate. He has said that he disagrees with
how the Republican Party has handled gay issues but
has withheld further discussion about specifics.
"I don't think
it's responsible to attack individuals," Bates
said. "The Republican Party has been a party of freedom
and acceptance, and they need to stick to the policies
that work, and that's about being fiscally
responsible."
State
representative Jill Chambers, a Republican representing
Atlanta and whose district also includes Doraville,
said she was thrilled about Bates's victory. She also
said she welcomes a debate about the Republican
Party's positions on gay issues but does not think that his
sexuality will be a political issue in Doraville.
"I don't think
his sexuality is going to play a role on city
council," Chambers said to the Journal-Constitution.
"But his fiscal responsibility will be greatly
appreciated on a day-to-day basis. His margin of
victory shows that our community in north DeKalb cares more
about the person and their performance as an elected
official than someone's sexuality."
Bates, who was
sworn in on November 19, said he hopes that his victory
will inspire others to run for office. "I was elected to
represent the residents of Doraville, and look forward
to doing it with honor. And if it provides other
opportunities for other candidates or encourages other
individuals to run, I certainly encourage them to do so."
(The Advocate)
