How to Learn About Gay and Lesbian Politicians

Only a few years ago, most Americans couldn't name a gay or lesbian politician - because there were very few. Most people probably still can't name them, but there are now plenty of gays and lesbians in politics. Here's how you can learn about gay and lesbian politicians.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• """Trailblazers: Profiles of America's Gay and Lesbian Elected Officials"" by Ken Yeager"
• " ""Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk"" by Randy Shilts"
• """Party Crasher: A Gay Republican Challenges Politics as Usual"" by Richard Tafel"

1. Start your search online at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund (victoryfund.org). At their Web site you'll find information about gay and lesbian candidates and officeholders as well as ways to can get involved in some of their campaigns.
2. Be sure to sign up for the Victory Fund's mailing list, too, so that they can keep you informed about what's going on with gay politicians in your community and across the country.
3. Take your quest for information to a local library or bookstore and pick up a copy of "Trailblazers: Profiles of America's Gay and Lesbian Elected Officials" by Ken Yeager. It doesn't cover everyone that's in office now, but it's still a great resource.
4. Stay at the library or bookstore and find a great book about one of America's first openly gay politicians. The book is called "Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk" by Randy Shilts.
5. Look for one more book while you're there. While most people assume gay and lesbian politics is all about Democrats, Richard Tafel's book tackles what it's like to be an outsider in the gay community and an outsider within the Republican Party in "Party Crasher: A Gay Republican Challenges Politics as Usual."

Tips & Warnings

• The first openly gay or lesbian elected official was Elaine Noble, elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1974. Now, there are more than 170 elected gays and lesbians.