Oregon’s Secretary of State, Kate Brown, will likely become the next governor of that state with the news of?elected Governor John Kitzhaber resigning.
Kitzhaber’s resignation will become effective on February 18th at 10 am local time. He has been accused of violating numerous ethical standards as the Governor and even people within his own Democratic Party have called for him to resign. Brown has already told the Governor that she is ready saying:
“I informed the Governor that I am ready, and my staff will be ready, should he resign.”
But let’s focus on the history that will be made if and when Kate Brown is sworn in. Brown is an openly bisexual?woman and this would make her the first of her kind in American political history. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin lauded this achievement:
“And while she’ll make history as the nation’s first sitting LGBT governor, the more important truth is that she’s supremely capable of leading the state to better days ahead.”
Brown has been politically active career wise?since 1991 as a member of the State House, and she has also been a lobbyist for women’s rights However, becoming governor could help put bisexuality more in the forefront.
As someone who believes in sexual fluidity and the need to discuss the “T” and “B” identities within the LGBT community, I am very proud of Ms. Brown. I have heard so many negative things about bisexuals in my lifetime and had to speak against egregious stereotypes attached to this identity. I don’t suspect that Brown will make this a focal point of her tenure, but I do hope she lends her?voice to creating more?nationwide bivisibility.
I feel that we as a nation are very ignorant to the bisexual identity, and this often includes those within the LGBT community too. So, while Kate Brown seems like a good woman to take on the job, regardless of her sexuality, I look forward to seeing this increase the conversation surrounding sexuality and open up many minds regarding this issue.
