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Julia Boseman did fabulous, difficult work on the School Violence Protection Act in our state Senate, earning her Equality NC’s Legislative Award this past weekend. I’m sorry to hear that she’s not running again (she’d most certainly win), but being the only out member of our General Assembly has to be tough with all those good-old-boys in there. Family always comes first. (Q-Notes):
State Sen. Julia Boseman (D-New Hanover), the only openly gay or lesbian member of the General Assembly, announced Thursday she will not seek re-election when her term ends in 2010.
In a statement, Boseman cited family responsibilities for her decision to leave the General Assembly, according to Wilmington’s WTKR News Channel 3. Boseman’s domestic partner is expecting a child in January.
Elected in 2004, Boseman was the first openly gay or lesbian North Carolinian elected to the state legislature. Prior to her service in the Senate, Boseman served on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
In her acceptance speech, she hinted that it was time to move along, and called for others LGBT North Carolinians to take the baton.
When I won this seat it didn’t become my seat, it became our seat, and we’ve been able to accomplish a lot with our seat. And as Ian said, having a seat at the table has made a world of difference.
When I’m in that back room of the caucus and we’re talking about the marriage amendment, it makes a difference that we’re there. When we’re talking about the bullying bill, it made a difference that we’re there. When we have Republicans saying that comprehensive health education, sexual education means that you’re going to teach all our kids how to be gay, it makes a big difference that we have a seat at the table.
I won’t always have this seat; and it’s time for other people to step up. I’m asking you and your friends to please get involved, run for office, be on boards and commissions; it makes such a difference us being there.
As it stands, this means that Republicans will have a chance to take this swing seat in 2010. Hopefully Dems can retain the seat; it will be difficult to fill Julia Boseman’s shoes as “our” state senator.
Here’s to you Julia — thank you so much for sharing “your seat” with the LGBTs of NC.
Julia Boseman with your blogmistress at the 2009 Equality NC Gala
6 Comments
Ms Boseman has her priorities rightfamily first
Future seat at the tableI’m trying to imagine where our next seat comes from. And there is one possibility that I know of, but I would definitely like to hear if anyone knows others.
Mike Nelson from Orange County (where Chapel Hill, Carrboro, & Hillsborough are located) is one possibility.
From wikipedia:
Obviously there is support for gay candidates in this area because as you know if you watch the Rachel Maddow show, Mark Kleinschmidt (an openly gay town councilman) just won the mayor’s seat earlier this month.
And Mike has the notable position of being the first openly gay mayor in NC (I think the gay mayor on franklinton was 2nd?), Mike’s position as an alderman is a good of a background as one can get for going into a state legislative body, and his position as Orange County Commissioner gives him the broad regional knowledge one needs to win a district.
And Mike has been in the news relatively recently for saving our Cybrary and supporting our libraries during economic crunch time.
Kinnaird who currently holds the seat is great, but since she thought about getting out of the race in 07, it seems to indicate that she is reaching the end of time in that seat even if she does have a while longer to go. And I hope when that happens Mike will jump in again.
Here is his facebook support group:
http://www.facebook.com/group….
Anyone got any other ideas where our next seat might come from?
I haven’t a cluethe roster of openly gay people who are political active or have served in office is small. Mike Nelson is an obvious choice, and has cred. The great thing about Julia is that she didn’t represent a heavily progressive district. It would be nice for someone to “take” a GOP seat. But bottom line is that we need a seat at the table.
Absolutely agreeThe very best of luck in the future to her, I say.
.I’m more concerned in keeping Boseman’s seat in friendly hands (if it is a Swing district) than in having a “token” gay Legislator. Maybe Grady will finally come out
Reviewing Equality NC’s list of openly lgbt officials which isn’t terribly out of date:
I see that Boseman was a county commissioner before she became a state senator, and Nelson who we are discussing is also a county commissioner. I think election to a more regional office rather than just a local office probably makes one more viable for winning a senate district.
The only other county commissioner I see is Warren County Commissioner Ernest Fleming who I don’t know much about at all. I know Warren County is north of the triangle area, is a pretty strong blue county, is directly north of Franklin County wherein openly gay mayor Elic Senter is serving in Franklinton.
Doing a little research, I see that Doug Berger is a democrat who currently holds that seat and that he represents among others, Warren & Franklin County.
Given only situational info this might make Mr. Fleming a decent choice. But I have no idea when Mr. Berger would want to retire or if Mr. Fleming has any aspiration towards a state senate seat.
Nelson, who expressed interest in running in the past at least, is still the only obvious choice I can think of.