Simone Bell has become the first Black lesbian elected to a state legislature in the United States after winning her race in Georgia, defeating attorney Asha Jackson, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Bell, who was one of at least 12 out candidates seeking office in the metro area of Atlanta, was endorsed by several organizations, including the gay-rights groups Georgia Equality and the Victory Fund, ProjectQAtlanta.com reported.
On her Web site, Bell stated, "THANK YOU!!! I look forward to representing the people of Georgia State House District 58 in the 2010 legislative session." District 58 straddles Moreland Avenue in Atlanta and includes parts of Fulton and DeKalb that are in Atlanta, plus sections of unincorporated DeKalb County to the east. According to ProjectQAtlanta.com, the district is heavily gay.
In addition, the Journal-Constitution reported that Alex Wan became the first gay man and Asian-American man elected to Atlanta's city council.
