Gay House Speaker Marks First for Colorado

[William769]

Rep. Mark Ferrandino, a gay Denver democrat, was nominated as Speaker of the Colorado State House of Representatives on Thursday, The Denver Post reports. Ferrandino is the first openly LGBT legislator in Colorado history to preside over the chamber, and joins eight out LGBT lawmakers in the state's legislature. Ferrandino will accept the gavel on January 9, the first day of the 2013 legislative session.

"It's definitely very humbling," Ferrandino said, "and I'm excited to be able to get to work and try and pass good policy for the people of Colorado."

Ferrandino's election comes six months after the former Speaker, Republican Frank McNulty, staged a dramatic shutdown of the state House in order to kill a bipartisan civil unions bill sponsored by Ferrandino and out state Sen. Pat Steadman. With Ferrandino as Speaker, Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, and a governor who has been an outspoken advocate for civil unions, the twice-failed legislation is nearly certain to pass in the upcoming legislative session.

"Sen. Steadman and I have always said we are going to keep introducing [civil unions] until it passes," Ferrandino told The Advocate exclusively. "We'll definitely introduce it next year, and I think next year will be the year that it passes given the change in leadership. We have a majority in the House and Senate who will support the bill, and a leadership who will bring it up, unlike last year."

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2012/11/08/gay-house-speaker-marks-first-colorado

[dumbledork]

1. I hope I live to see the day when it's not "necessary" to mention someone's gay.

I get the point, I just think it's sad it even needs to be said. grumble grumble

[DevonRex]

2. Well, I am incredibly proud and happy that

this happened in Colorado. So there. We are fighting hard against the evangelical right here and this is a HUGE victory.

[DevonRex]

3. Thank you William. I searched for this news

specifically. I knew you must've posted it and you did. I don't know Mark personally but I know people who do and he is loved and respected by them.

I cannot wait to see how this is going to impact our legislature. I just know that he will make a huge positive difference.

Colorado hasn't just gone blue. We have gone Liberal again. Whew!

[William769]

4. Barring SCOTUS, Colorado with be the next State to Approve marriage equality.

To be the House Speaker and openly Gay is HUGE!

I tip my hat to Coloradans.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Ten years ago I scoffed at the idea as unimaginable...I was such an ignorant fuckhead

I never dreamed a day like this could occur on my lifetime.

[William769]

6. I think most of our Generation felt that way one time or anoter.

[fizzgig]

7. we've come so far in the last 20 years

i've said this a lot in the past few days, but i love my state.