Georgia Politics Now a Little More Queer
Georgia Equality reports that Atlanta area voters elected several openly-queer candidates in elections held yesterday. Winning their races were three Democratic candidates for area city councils and one gay Republican city council candidate. Newly elected or re-elected were Decatur City Commissioner Kecia Cunningham, East Point City Councilmember Lance Rhodes and Pine Lake City Councilmember Greg Creech. Brian Bates is officially Georgia’s first openly-gay Republican to win an election in his bid for a seat on the Doraville City Council.
Riverdale City Councilmember Michelle Bruce, who is currently one of only three openly transgender elected officials in the country, captured more votes than her challenger (41 percent) in yesterday’s race, but not enough to avoid a December 4 runoff to retain her seat. Bruce fought off numerous attacks related to her sexuality during her campaign, from her opponents, local radio personalities and others.
Statewide, Georgia Equality is batting a thousand with its candidate endorsements. Results from yesterday’s races put all 13 GE-endorsed candidates in office or in run-off elections.
Atlanta LGBT newspaper Southern Voice lists current openly-gay elected officials (before changes that will result from yesterday’s elections and the December 4 run-off) in Georgia as:
- State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates)
- Riverdale City Council member Michelle Bruce
- Decatur City Commissioner Kecia Cunningham
- Atlanta City Council member Anne Fauver
- Pine Lake City Council member Melanie Hammet
- East Point City Council member Kevin Hudson
- Pine Lake City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Kathie deNobriga
- East Point City Council member Lance Rhodes
No doubt Georgia Equality will celebrate the successes of Georgia’s openly gay politicians at its Evening for Equality event on November 10.
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