Out Lesbian Lawyer Wins Special Election in Minnesota, Will Fight State’s Proposed Marriage Amendment
The 2012 election season had winners besides former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Jan. 10. In Minnesota, Susan Allen won her special election to become the state’s first Native American female in the legislature — and, in doing so, also added another LGBT lawmaker’s voice to the effort to defeat the pending marriage amendment in the state.
Winning the election for Minnesota House District 61B, the DFLer, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, also is the nation’s first Native American lesbian lawmaker.
According to Allen’s website, the lawyer, who has done significant working helping tribes with legal issues, plans to be a strong voice opposing this fall’s marriage amendment in Minnesota.
“I am a passionate supporter of marriage equality. As a lesbian, I feel this inequality every day,” she writes. “If elected, I will use my position as State Rep to speak loudly against the marriage amendment and in favor of equality for all Minnesota families. I will also use my 2012 reelection campaign as a vehicle to turn out voters against writing discrimination into our state constitution.”
The Victory Fund, which supports out LGBT candidates, had endorsed Allen and celebrated the victory.
Tiffany Muller, the Victory Fund’s vice president for political operations, said in a statement, “We’re thrilled for Susan and the remarkable progress her victory represents. This is our first win of 2012, and it’s a fantastic way to start off what will be a very exciting year for LGBT candidates.”
Allen will join two other out Minnesota lawmakers, Rep. Karen Clark (DFL) and Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL).
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