Press Release

Tennessee gets first out elected official

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org

Contact: Denis Dison
202-262-3118 

TENNESSEE GETS FIRST OPENLY GAY ELECTED OFFICIAL

Keith Durbin Wins Seat on Nashville City Council

WASHINGTON, DC—August 3, 2007—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today applauded the historic success of its endorsee, Keith Durbin, who won a seat on the Nashville City Council in municipal elections Thursday. Durbin will become the first and only openly gay elected official in the state.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said, "Tennessee took a step toward equality last night.  Keith's election shows that gays and lesbians are willing and anxious to be part of the political debate everywhere in America."

Durbin’s victory removes Tennessee from a shrinking list of states that lack at least one openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender elected official. The six remaining states on that list are Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, West Virginia, Louisiana and South Carolina.

###