SALEM, Ore. — An openly lesbian lawmaker could lead a state legislative chamber for the first time if Democrats choose Rep. Tina Kotek as House speaker in Oregon, as expected.
Kotek was running unopposed Thursday for the post. Her selection would be another key political victory for the gay community that has notched successes around the nation.
If Kotek wins the position, openly gay leaders will control the House or Senate in five states — more than ever before, and up from two before last week’s election, according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.
Four of those leaders are men.
“For many years, we were building a bench of openly gay officials who could step into those roles, and now we’re seeing that around the country,” said Denis Dison, a spokesman for the Victory Fund, a national group that helps gay candidates get elected to offices at all levels.