Denise Simmons entered the record books today. The Cambridge, Massachusetts city council voted Monday to install Simmons as their mayor, making her the first black lesbian mayor in American history.
City councilors voted Monday night to make Denise Simmons the new mayor of Cambridge.
Simmons, a member of the council since 2001, is the second consecutive mayor who is black and openly gay. She is the first woman to serve as the city’s mayor since Sheila Russell held the office from 1996-1997.
Councilors voted Brian Murphy vice-mayor.
“It feels really great,” Simmons said. “When I first came to the School Committee, one of the things I always said was that I wanted to be mayor.”
Alright, it’s great that Simmons won the seat – congratulations! – but we’d be more psyched if she were in Texas or some place. Now that would be incredible. Cambridge city council electing a black lesbian? Not as unbelievable.
Becca
Congratulations Mayor Simmons!!!
Chaz
There have been lesbian city councilmembers in Texas and when I was in Austin, the sheriff (an elected position) was a lesbian and one of the state reps was an openly gay guy. And they were Democrats too! So there have been gays in politics in Texas, believe it or not.
abelincoln
I look forward to the day when there are no more “firsts” to be mentioned. Probably when that happens humans will start to mention seconds.
NetworkGuy
She is terrific. Too bad she was not the Publisher of the Advocate – she might have saved the doomed company.
Planet OUT, OUT Magazine and the Advocate go dark! The company told its employees that they will no longer hold earnings conference calls or give future guidance. From here on out, all communications with investors will be made through its SEC filings. PlanetOut, which has hired Allen & Co. for the process, warns it is doomed for closure!
Warnings of the company’s demise have been coming for a long time – ever since its financial condition deteriorated. Early last year, it said it had hired Allen & Co. to help it raise money and stave off bankruptcy. Did it work??? Inquiring minds want to know.
ProfessorVP
Oprah, if you’re reading this… see, not everybody hates black lesbians. Wouldn’t you be happier and more relaxed if you were out? True, you’re down to your last $2 billion, but you’d survive.
rob sama
The mayor of Galveston, TX is a lesbian. And she was elected, not appointed.