An update to a story R20 first reported in December. Rhode Island lawmakers have elected Rep. Gordon D. Fox as the state's first black and first openly gay House speaker, the Boston Herald reports.
The Democrat from Providence received votes Thursday from 51 of the 75 lawmakers in the House. Democrats nominated him during an earlier closed-door caucus. The 48-year-old lawyer previously served as House majority leader. He replaces former House Speaker William Murphy, who will continue to represent his district until the legislative session ends early next year. Fox announced he was gay in 2004 during a Statehouse rally in support of gay marriage.
Fox said in an interview with The Providence Journal that he is "in a long-term relationship, but not officially married. ... When I get married, I would like to do it in my home state." Rhode Island and Maine are the only New England states that have not approved marriage equality. Fox says he is "reluctant" to make a commitment to bring the issue to the House floor for a vote after Murphy leaves. Rhode Island's anti-gay Republican governor Donald Carcieri has tried to block even basic rights for LGBT couples.
Fox is biracial—his father is Irish, his mother Cape Verdean—and considers himself black. He does so, the Providence Journal writes, because he hopes to be a role model for black youngsters and black gay youth.
Fox, who was the House Majority Leader, becomes the nation's second openly gay legislative leader. Los Angeles Democratic Assemblymember John A. Pérez was recently elected the very powerful speaker of the California Assembly. Bravo and congratulations to Speaker Fox.
This is very good news.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 11 February 2010 at 21:51
DAYUMN!
We are really everywhere, arent we?
Posted by: Dalton | 11 February 2010 at 21:53
Wonderful!
Posted by: Baltimore Femme | 11 February 2010 at 21:57
Wow, that's refreshing. Someone claiming to be black who doesn't have to. So used to folks wanting to be everything but.
He represents our demographic well.
Posted by: dfs | 12 February 2010 at 02:30
Amen and alright.
I am so proud of this brother and again, you Rod, for digging for the story and posting!
The Blade used to do a column called "WE ARE EVERYWHERE" and we, as a community, really need to restart that kind of focus: SHOWING US TO US! These are the kinds of articles/posts on your blog that just make my soul soar!
I would have never looked in the New Yorker for Tonex and I might never have know about this Rhode Island-based brother!
THANK YOU!!!!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 12 February 2010 at 08:19
He considers himself black...is it as simple as that? lol
Race is so dumb.
Posted by: seahawk | 12 February 2010 at 10:07
"He considers himself black...is it as simple as that?"
Hmm, tell that President Obama. He's also biracial and considers himself black, I don't see anyone here saying he isn't.
If Gordon Fox were, say, blond and blue eyed and 100% white and considered himself "black", then questions would be raised. But he's not, he's biracial. Really I don't see the problem.
Posted by: Greg G | 12 February 2010 at 10:26
Yes, the "One Drop" rule may have been the only good thing to come out of slavery. It makes Black Americans (United States Blacks) the most diverse in skin color. From Lena Horne to Louis Armstrong, from Adam Clayton Powell to Hazel Scott, from Lonette McKee to Cecily Tyson, from Dwayne(the Rock)JOhnson(yummy, yummy)to Wesley Snipes: ALL BLACK
...everybody but Tiger Woods--po' thaing.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 12 February 2010 at 10:37
what's really interesting here is a quick sweep of all the major gay blogs, only rod and pam mention that fox is biracial and/or black. none of the others mention it. interesting.
Posted by: D. Askew | 12 February 2010 at 10:40
Rod & Pam did their homework, no doubt
Posted by: CC | 12 February 2010 at 10:50
@ D. Askew:
What CC said.
Darling, do you even have to ask?
Rod and Pam do their homework (especially on issues concerning our community) and don't simply cut and paste.
I think this is great news. Speaker Fox may not be "black" in the traditional, African American sense, but his roots are African, Rhode Island has a very large Cape Verdean population and I am very glad that he is representing.
And here here to Rev Kev! It's gangsta that we have a black gay blog that goes beyond the "down low" and Wendy Williams gossip to give us some much needed news on gay men across the African diaspora. Werk!
Posted by: Talarico | 12 February 2010 at 12:05
I'm darker than him, and I'm from Spain...
Posted by: alberto | 12 February 2010 at 13:31
@D. Askew
I just checked a couple of them and Queerty did mention it as an afterthought but they didn't post his picture.
I was about to mention as a comment on towleroad but I decided not to...it does make you think...exactly what does "being black" or "race" mean.
And, yeah, the white man made the rules so Derrick from Philly is right
Posted by: Chitown Kev | 12 February 2010 at 15:03
black my rear end. he is white lol. i dont understand why people feel the need to put themselves, or others put them in, a box. if u are biracial be just that. stop trying to please everyone.
Posted by: terrell | 12 February 2010 at 22:32
Why is it that black people still hold on to the one drop rule anyway? we as a community always try to force biracial children to say they are only "just black" and ignore calling themselves something else to appease to the group. let slavery rules go and we would be much better as a people! and all black people aren't african americans. Obama would not have won the black vote if he just called himseld biracial...and yall know it. whats wrong with just saying biracial....save for the job applications. just let people be them..
Posted by: terrell | 12 February 2010 at 22:36