Allan Spear, one of the country's first openly gay state senators, died of complications from heart surgery Saturday in Minneapolis. He was 71.
Spear became one of only two openly gay legislators in the country when he announced he was gay during a 1974 interview with the Minneapolis Star (now the Star-Tribune). He then launched an initiative to amend Minnesota's Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, which finally passed in 1993, according to the Associated Press. He also cofounded the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Elected and Appointed Officials and became a board member of the OutFront Minnesota PAC, the Star-Tribune reports.
"I join with all Minnesotans who mourn the loss of Allan Spear," Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said in a statement. "His evenhandedness, command of the issues, and ability to reach across the aisle and work with colleagues of both parties were legendary and should inspire us all. He was a man of great courage who served as one of this nation's first openly gay legislators. Michelle and I and the Bidens send our thoughts and prayers to Allan's partner, Junjiro Tsuji, and all the family, friends and colleagues who loved him."
Spear, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was first elected in 1972 and served in the senate until his retirement in 2000; from 1993 to 2000 he was senate president. He was also the first non-attorney to lead the senate judiciary committee. During his 18-year tenure on the crime prevention committee, Spear fought against racial profiling and sought to reduce the high incarceration rate among African-Americans, according to the Star-Tribune. Celebrating the state's sesquicentennial, the Minnesota Historical Society named Spear one of the 150 Minnesotans who shaped the state, according to the Minnesotan Daily newspaper.
Spear was also an associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota.
"There is probably no greater honor for any leader than to have those who follow you say you made a difference in their lives and the life of their community," university president Bob Bruininks said in a statement. "That can certainly be said of Allan Spear."
He is survived by his longtime partner, Junjiro Tsuji; his brother Richard; and other family members. (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)
