One more fantastic midterm election result that has us all excited.
Hunky gay former Marine, Neil Rafferty, came out on top last night in his race for the state House seat in Alabama’s District 54.
Not only did he win – he won BIG!
According to AL.com, Rafferty trumped his opponent, Independent Joseph Casper Baker III, by a margin of 90% to 10%!
The win makes Rafferty the first openly gay man elected to the Alabama legislature.
Since 2006, the seat has been held by openly LGBT Rep. Patricia Todd who chose to retire this year. Todd endorsed Rafferty’s candidacy.
The political newbie had never run for political office before.
We've previously profiled the Birmingham native who spent four years in the U.S. Marines before returning home to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He currently works as the director of research and development at Birmingham AIDS Outreach.
Rafferty joined the Marines after his longtime boyfriend, Michael Rudolph had been deployed twice to Iraq as a Marine so they could stay together even though 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' was still in effect.
The couple, now together 14 years, are currently engaged and planning their wedding.
Congratulations on the win!
Congrats from Canada Neil.
Congrats from Canada Neil. Wishing all the best for the future. Wanted to wish you and Michael the very best for many years of happiness, congrats guys!
Dave
British Columbia Canada
Thank you, Alabama, for
Thank you, Alabama, for giving this guy a chance. Mr. Rafferty: there are MANY eyes upon you; don't mess it up like our Aaron Schock did. Best of luck to you.
This is a great reminder of
This is a great reminder of the infinite power of VOTING! We Gay guys need to be known as reliable 100% voters. Then the politicians will pay attention and we can also get good leaders like Neil Rafferty elected. People have died for your right to vote so don't squander it. Make sure everyone you've ever known VOTES at every election for justice, equality, and a better future for us all!
So proud and excited in your
So proud and excited in your win – best wishes and I hope you can achieve what you have planned. Huge Hugs from an admirer in the U.K. I also hope your wedding goes beautifully for you both.
john
Congrats to you both and to
Congrats to you both and to Alabama’s District 54
how about congrads
how about congrads
How about mentioning the fact
How about mentioning the fact that he is a Democrat? It matters (especially in the South)
There is no such thing as a
There is no such thing as a former Marine, only an inactive Marine.
It’s not just the South guys.
It's not just the South guys… Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri-Parts of Texas-Utah-etc. etc. South and South/Mid West full on RED areas tend to be very homophobic. But it can happen anywhere. I guarantee you could run into the wrong Guido in New Jersey and there would be a problem.
Or the wrong African-American
Or the wrong African-American in New York City or D.C.. We've sure seen that enough lately.
Or the wrong any colored skin
Or the wrong any colored skin person in any town USA.
The wrong person, period.
The wrong person, period. (Strange that that guy decided to choose Italians to make an example of homophobes. I can link right now to a number of homophobic attacks this year and not one culprit is Italian-American. Maybe he can link to some).
But…but….I’m always
But…but….I'm always hearing from gays how homophobic the south is !
That’s because it is. No
That's because it is. No other section of Americs tries to repress LGBTQ+ rights so adamantly.
That being said, there are always odd little blips here and there. Austin, TX is a liberal bastion of a city in spite of having a grossly homophobic Senator in Ted Cruz.
I don’t know Texas too well.
I don't know Texas too well. I know Austin is the "liberal" exception that people throw around. But I have buds who moved to Dallas and rave about he gay scene there.
Every big metropolitan area
Every big metropolitan area is moderately-very gay friendly. It’s what happens when people are educated and open minded.
not baghdad or riyadh though
not baghdad or riyadh though
Yeah, a big step for my
Yeah, a big step for my current resident in this red state into the 21st century! Never thought we would get another LGBT in the state government here.
Why does he have to be
Why does he have to be described as hunky? Would this be less momentous if he didn't for your ideal for attractiveness?
Wow, a big accomplishment was
Wow, a big accomplishment was achieveand and there are people still finding a reason to nitpick at this article about it.
It doesn't say his looks were the only reason he was elected, although to think that outward appearance of a candidate does not affect peoples' votes (looks, age, etc) would be native.
The article mentions some of his other accomplishments and attributes and just happens to mention the author's opinion as to his looks.
Bible Belt and blue laws in
Bible Belt and blue laws in the south.
I was hoping Ammar Campa
I was hoping Ammar Campa-Najjar would win. He would've been one handsome congressman.