An Association Of LGBTQ Elected Officials In My County Of Residence --

[VickySGV]

My LGBTQ Center's Board Of Directors, which I am one of, were the hosts for a newly formed association of elected LGBTQ officials in my county today, and our board was present at its second start-up meeting this morning.   The had 20 elected officials, from the County Assessor and school boards and city councils and special county districts in the room, and an equal number on a Zoom type connection.  Nothing too spectacular really today, except that even they are stronger when they are united as LGBTQ people.  I have said it before and will keep it up that this type of thing is going to eventually be the difference in how society treats us.  I did get the chance to speak one on one with a few of them, and the ones I spoke with were fully Trans inclusive in their forward goals.  There was actually one Trans woman in the room, and the convenor of the meeting told me there was a Trans Male member who was there via the internet.  What I saw there was a definite ray of hope for us and a model of what can happen if we get out and take leadership in our communities.  The County has 88 cities in it, so there is still work to be done since the group covers only about 1/3 of them having one LGBTQ member, so I see some goals ahead.  There are 91 school districts as well.  Yes just a few that need to get LGBTQ representation via their elected members.  What a day. 

[KathyLauren]

Nice to hear that that there are enough elected LGBTQ+ officials in your county to form an association!  It sounds like your Centre was instrumental in getting it off the gound.  This is very refreshing news.

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Well, I suppose with the large population out in Cali, there might be enough elected officials in general to have a county association like that.  20 would be close to half our total officials here...

 

However, my sister will be running for office next year!  Our system is supposed to have a constable for every township.  Until recently, usually sheriff's deputies ran for it, which defeated the point of having extra elected law enforcement.  That has been prohibited, which has created opportunities for other people.  My sister is probably going to be our first openly lesbian elected official.  That's unusual for an area like ours, but people like her and she's well known for being my husband's aide for nearly 3 years.  It'll be nice to normalize having a lesbian in office (and folks will also know a bit about her trans sibling). 

[MaeBe]

Representation is key; getting people to see people as people breaks down barriers.

 

Lots to do to running for an elected position. Good luck to your sister and her team (which I'm sure will include you)!