|
kalikshama -> Sean Maloney elected first openly gay NY Congressman; sexuality was a non-issue (11/11/2012 7:34:45 PM)
|
On Tuesday night, Sean Patrick Maloney defeated Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth to become the first openly gay candidate elected to represent New York in Congress, but practically no one noticed that aspect of Maloney's victory, as his sexual orientation was strictly a nonissue during the campaign.
Maloney -- a former aide to President Bill Clinton -- unseated Hayworth in New York's 18th District in a major political upset. The redrawn 18th includes Putnam and Orange counties, parts of Westchester county and the southwest corner of Dutchess.
The race was heated, with Maloney's campaign describing Hayworth as the lackey of the Tea Party, too conservative to represent the Hudson Valley, while Hayworth called him a carpetbagger from Manhattan.
Neither talked about sexuality, to any great extent.
Maybe that's because Hayworth has a son who is gay, and she has been an advocate for gay and lesbian rights in Washington. In November, she joined the congressional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Equality Caucus. She is one of six Republicans backing a bill ensuring same-sex partners receive the same federal tax exemptions as heterosexual couples.
News media mentioned that Maloney and his longtime partner, Randy Florke, have three adopted children, but that was about it.
For the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund -- a nationwide group that works to support openly gay candidates -- that is about as much attention as a politician's sexual orientation deserves.
"We are working toward the day that is a nonissue everywhere. We're very happy to see in New York, in this race, it was not used," Chuck Wolfe, Victory Fund president, told Newsday.
"None of the candidates we endorse run on the platform of their sexual orientation. Sean is a great example of someone who has been participating in public service his entire life and that experience will make him a great representative," Wolfe said.
Read more: http://newyork.newsday.com/westchester/westchester-now-1.3784383/sean-maloney-elected-first-openly-gay-ny-congressman-sexuality-was-a-non-issue-1.4197439
|
|
|
|
