November 9, 2012
Colo. Democrats Pick State's 1st Gay House Speaker
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
DENVER - Colorado Democrats have elected the first openly gay House speaker in state history, giving control of the chamber to a man who was the public face of a fierce debate over civil union legislation that Republicans defeated six months ago.
Democratic lawmakers on Thursday picked Denver Rep. Mark Ferrandino to lead the state House, which they re-took in this week's election. His election won't be official until lawmakers reconvene in January and Republicans ratify the pick.
According to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, there are currently two openly gay House speakers in state legislatures: John Perez in California and Gordon Fox in Rhode Island.
Ferrandino's ascent is particularly notable in a state where voters banned gay marriage six years ago, and prohibited municipalities from passing laws to protect gays from discrimination 20 years ago.
