Friday, December 11, 2009

John A. Perez named first openly gay state Speaker of the House


The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded yesterday’s selection of Assemblyman John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) as the next Speaker of the House in the California State Assembly. Pérez (above right), who served this year as the Democratic Caucus Chairman, is the first openly gay man to hold the state assembly’s top leadership position. The selection makes Pérez the first openly gay state Speaker of the House in the country.

“We congratulate the selection of Assemblyman Pérez as the new Speaker of the House for the great state of California,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “John’s selection is a testament to his strong leadership after just joining the Assembly in the 2008 election. He is a role model for young people in his Los Angeles district and now for his state and country as the first openly-gay man to hold the Assembly’s top spot. We look forward to working with him as California continues to be an important state in our national fight for equality.”

Pérez was elected in 2008 to represent the 46th District in Los Angeles. He received the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Pérez serves as an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and received a Presidential appointment to serve on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS. He has also served as a board member for the California League of Conservation Voters, AIDS Project Los Angeles, the Latino Coalition against AIDS, the California Center for Regional Leadership, and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.