Now There Are 4: GA Black Gay State Rep Comes Out

Georgia State Representative Rashad Taylor,
comes out at a press conference May 27, 2011

There are now four openly gay, African-American male state elected representatives nationwide. Previously known were Marcus Brandon of North Carolina, Gordon Fox of Rhode Island and Jason Bartlett of Connecticut. State Representative Rashad Taylor of Georgia joined these three on Friday by coming out as gay at a press conference in Atlanta on Friday.

Taylor, 30, came out in order to respond to and refute charges of improper conduct which had been emailed to various state legislators from a jealous former lover of Rashad's current boyfriend. You can watch video of the press conference here.

Georgia Voice reports:

According to the national Victory Fund which works to elect openly gay officials, Taylor is only the sixth openly black LGBT person to serve in a state legislature. State Rep. Bell was the first black lesbian elected to a state legislature in 2009. 

Yesterday and in days prior, a man who is the ex-boyfriend of Taylor's partner sent an email to state legislators outing him and alleging Taylor misused his office by promising men jobs in exchange for sex. Taylor denied those allegations today, but did say the truth is is he is gay. 

"For some it may take two days, for some it take two years or 20 years [to come out]," he said.  

"I serve in public office and try to retain some semblance of a private life. This is a journey I've been on," he said. "i wouldn't want to expedite anyone else's journey. It ought to be a personal decision."

Taylor admitted that if the allegations against him had not been made he would not have come out.

"I would not be standing here today," he said, adding he considered ignoring the allegations.

But now was the time to tell the truth, Taylor added.

"I felt like honestly this was it unless I spoke the truth," Taylor said, saying he didn't want someone to feel like they had something "over his head."

He said before today, he could "count on one hand" the people who knew he was gay. Taylor also said that he came out to his mother and family in the past 24 hours. He thanked his mother for his support and she hugged him warmly after he spoke to the media.

MadProfessah has previously blogged about Simone Bell's election as the first Black lesbian state representative in December 2009. In Maryland, Mary Washington is the other openly lesbian elected state representative in the country. There are 6 openly LGBT, Black elected representatives nationwide.


Hat/tip to Wonder Man.

MD Delegate Comes Out As Marriage Bill Debate Starts Today

Delegate Peter Murphy, is a divorced father of two who came out
on the eve of the vote to legalize marriage equality in Maryland

The Washington Blade is reporting that Maryland Delegate Peter Murphy has decided to reveal he is gay, becoming the 8th member of Maryland's LGBT legislative caucus, which is now the largest of any state's in the country.(California has 7 openly LGBT members between our 80-member Assembly and 40-member Senate, with the Speaker of the Assembly John Perez being openly gay.)  Maryland's General Assembly consists of a 141-member House of Delegates and a 47-member Senate.

From The Washington Blade

Murphy represents a conservative part of the state, but said he’s not concerned about any backlash in making his sexual orientation public in the media. 

“I’m not concerned,” he said. “People who know me know that I represent everyone in the district. I work hard to make sure that everyone has a voice and an opportunity to be heard.” 

Asked if he would now join the Maryland LGBT Caucus, Murphy admitted he didn’t know that it existed. 

“I just come here to do my work,” he said, “I’m not a big social person. I’ve never felt any pressure from anyone to be anything but what I am.” 

He added that officials at Equality Maryland, the statewide LGBT rights group, have known for years that he’s gay and that he supports their issues. In addition to sponsoring the marriage equality bill, Murphy also supports the pending bill to ban discrimination in employment and housing based on gender identity. 

“We’re so grateful to have Del. Peter Murphy among the LGBT Caucus of Maryland,” said Lisa Polyak, vice president of Equality Maryland’s board of directors. “We’re gratified that he’s a supporter of marriage equality and the gender identity bill. It shows that LGBT people live everywhere in the great state of Maryland, including in the Southern Maryland delegation. We’re always happy to have the support of Del. Murphy and now more so as a member of the LGBT Caucus.”

The surprising announcement brings extra drama to what will already be an exciting day as House Bill 175, the Civil Marriage Protection Act is being debated on the House floor and is expected to pass.

Black Lesbian Comedy Film "Family" Screens TOMORROW

Jordan/Rustin Coalition is presenting a local screening of director Faith Trimel's Family on Wednesday February 23rd at Lucy Florence Cultural Center from 6:30-9:30pm. There will be a discussion with the director after the screening and a light dinner will be served. RSVP at staff "@" jordanrustin.org.