Press Release

First openly gay man elected in Alabama

Tue, Oct 9th 2007, 17:18

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org

Washington, D.C.--Howard Bayless has become the first openly gay man elected to public office in Alabama, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which endorsed him.  Bayless, a former board chair of Equality Alabama and current co-chair of the Equality Federation, won a special election Tuesday for a seat on the Birmingham Board of Education.  He follows in the footsteps of State Rep. Patricia Todd, who last year became the first-ever openly LGBT person elected to any office in the state.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, said Bayless’ win is proof that significant breakthroughs like Todd’s 2006 election have lasting effects on a state’s politics.  “Howard Bayless is a hero to gay people in Alabama, but his election proves that all kinds of voters respond to real leadership.  There will come a time when gay and lesbian candidates will be able win across the state, and people like Howard will be remembered as the trailblazers,” Wolfe said.

Bayless thanked his supporters and Victory Fund donors who contributed to his campaign, saying, “This election was about the future of this community, and the Victory Fund understands that in order to change hearts and minds we all have to roll up our sleeves and work hard for our all our neighbors, and that’s what I’m going to do.  I’m grateful for everything the Victory Fund has done to help us move our state forward.”

Bayless is a graduate of the Candidate and Campaign Training program run by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute.  Todd also was trained under the program before winning her historic race last year.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elected officials at all levels of government.  The nation’s largest LGBT political action committee, it has helped to grow the number of out officials from 49 to more than 380 since its founding in 1991.  For more information, go to www.victoryfund.org.