jrc@ritcv.UUCP (James R. Carbin) (05/31/85)
For the first time ever in conservative Rochester and its environs, an openly
Gay candidate has received the Democratic endorsement for the fall election for
a seat on City Council. He will be running for the seat at large and hence will
not be facing a particular candidate per se. The Monroe County Democratic
Committee was quoted as stating, "We were very impressed with how openly he
handled the issue of his homosexuality and don't feel that it will be an
issue." The Chairman of the Monroe County Republican Party has stated her
desire that his sexual preference will not be an issue although she admits
that she may well take some heat for that viewpoint.
While the candidate is a resident of the City of Rochester, he is a high
school Guidance Counselor in suburban Irondequoit. His sexual preference
has been publicly known for quite some time, however school officials have
regularly given him high evaluations in the performance of his job.
There still exists the possibility that he will face a primary election
fight in September however if this happens, he will still be the primary
election candidate with the official party backing.
This may not be big news in some places in the U.S. but in Rochester,
this can only be viewed as a giant step forward.
Incidentally, N.Y.S. law still makes homosexual acts illegal, but
one of the first acts of Governor Mario Cuomo when he took office was
to issue an Administrative Order which prevents discrimination in the
hiring of State and local municipal employees based on sexual preference.
Personally, it makes me feel more comfortable with my own openness about
my sexual orientation. This turn of events is rather encouraging.
Let's face it: There aren't a whole host of openly gay College Professors
although we all know of many who are in various stages of coming out of
the closet.
as ever,
j.r. {allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!jrc