Aug 25, 2010

The Astounding World Around Us: Jack Jackson, Gay Navajo Man, Elected to Arizona Senate

The AZ Daily Sun reports that Jack Jackson, Jr. "has now won election to the state's Senate, after previously seeking appointment to his father's seat.¨

¨The Arizona state legislature is likely to keep its five-member caucus of openly LGBT lawmakers after important primary elections Tuesday night.

Jack Jackson, Jr., a member of the Navajo Nation, was the top vote-getter in a three-way race for a seat in the Arizona Senate. He would join State Sen. Paula Aboud, an out lesbian, Sen. Robert Meza, who is openly gay, and primary winner Kyrsten Sinema, an openly bisexual member of the State House who is likely to move up to the Senate.

In 2005, Jackson, a former member of the State House, was appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as the Executive Director of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs. In April 2000, he was appointed by Secretary Donna Shalala to serve on President Clinton’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Today Jackson serves on the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board and the Obama Administration has selected him to once again serve on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS¨ HERE

· Thanks to The Arizona Daily Sun
· Thanks to Gay Politics
· Thanks to Towleroad, sidebar
· Thanks to Andy Towle

3 comments:

Tim said...

Leo, this makes me proud on so many levels--and also makes me scratch my head about Arizona, where a gay Amerindian can win office to a legislature that passes corrosive anti-immigration laws. I guess birthplace is what it's all about out there.

Göran Koch-Swahne said...

A sliver of Gospel Hope in the Dark.

Leonard said...

I lived in Arizona for four years in my late twenties...the atmosphere was very prejudiced (against native people and everyone else)...thanksfully I worked for Goldwater´s Department Store (Barry´s family) and they had a keen sense of ¨individual rights¨ that worked out for all in their employ...unfortunately the white/retired/fundies expanded (their membership and not their minds) along with other folks who think they are the keepers of morals, when in fact, the opposite is true.

Horrible really, makes me ashamed to be a white person (thank God I´ve got a little Pawnee blood),

Love to all,
Len