Salt Lake County Set for First Gay Rep

The Salt Lake County council will likely get its first gay member now that two gay men are vying for the Democratic nomination in a district that almost always votes Democratic, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

The race between Arlyn Bradshaw and Cal Noyce is believed to be the first between openly gay candidates in Utah. And because both men are out -- Bradshaw displays a photo with his partner on his website -- sexual orientation hasn't been an issue in the race. The primary election is June 22.

"This is probably the first election at any level in Utah where [sexual orientation] is taken off the table," says Tim Chambless, a political science professor at the University of Utah. "Both candidates share a common viewpoint or lifestyle. It is a nonissue."

Having Bradshaw or Noyce on the county council would likely not result in much change on gay issues -- the council has already extended benefits to domestic partners of government employees and outlawed housing and workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. But Equality Utah says the election will send a powerful message nonetheless.

"What it really says to young people is: 'I really do have the opportunity to do anything,'" says executive director Brandie Balken.