'Even if we do not win an election, it is critical for gays and lesbians to run for office, so that we can educate others about who we are as individuals, and who we are as a community,' David Cicilline told the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund's 'Spring into Victory' brunch April 6, in Washington, D.C.
Cicilline did not have a problem with winning. Last year he pulled 53% of the vote in a four-way Democratic primary, then cruised to an 84% general election victory to become mayor of Providence, Rhode Island.
'We can use a political campaign as a way of demonstrating to the public that we have many of the same hopes and dreams of the heterosexual community,' he said. 'When the public begins to understand that our issues are often the same issues as they care about, we have begun to eliminate bias and break down the walls of ignorance.'
'During the campaign I heard the question asked all the time. Is it possible for a gay, Italian-Jewish man, who is a criminal lawyer, to be elected mayor of Providence?'
'I have a gay agenda,' Cicilline told one conservative voter. 'I want to improve public schools, reduce crime in our city,' and end corruption. The fellow replied, 'Oh, I have the same agenda.'
Cicilline described several 'unsuspecting agents of change,' campaign volunteers 'transforming people's minds and hearts, sometimes unknowingly.'
'We are still at a point in time in our history that it is very, very important for gay and lesbian candidates to identify themselves, because we transform hearts and minds one person at a time ... . But our ultimate goal is to finally reach that point in our history where sexual orientation is completely irrelevant.'
'It is our destiny as gay men and lesbians to demonstrate to other people around the world, that we can be effective, dedicated, thoughtful leaders in public service,' he said.
Cicilline described a recent meeting where the newly elected Republican governor of the state raised the issue of gay marriage. 'If I weren't gay, it never would have been discussed.' When gays and lesbians are elected officials, 'it changes the dynamics' and forces others to think differently.
New Victory Fund Executive Director Chuck Wolfe recalled how his experience working for Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew drove home the fact that 'state and local governments make decisions that affect our lives every day.'
About 70% of elected officials begin their careers at the local level, and that is where the Victory Fund devotes much of its energy to supporting openly GLBT candidates.
