Are Germans ready for their first openly gay leader?

[Meeker Morgan]

Seems like the answer is YES, even if this particular guy doesn't win the election. After all, he's already Mayor of Berlin.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/24/wgermany24.xml

Are Germans ready for their first openly gay leader?
By Tony Paterson in Berlin
(Filed: 24/09/2006)

Germany is embroiled in an anguished debate over whether the country is ready for its first gay leader after its foremost homosexual politician won a second term as mayor of Berlin.

Klaus Wowereit, 52, who has made no secret of his sexuality nor of his ambition to become chancellor, unabashedly hugged his long-standing boyfriend before television cameras last week after his triumph at the polls.

His victory was immediately hailed as a badly needed success for the country's ailing Social Democrats, whose former leader, Gerhard Schröder, was ousted as chancellor by Angela Merkel in a close-run general election last year.

Bereft of a charismatic candidate to challenge Mrs Merkel, the conservative Christian Democrat leader, in the next election, the Social Democrats have begun discussing seriously the prospect of fielding the flamboyant, party-loving Mr Wowereit against her.

--- SNIP ---

A beautiful couple, don't you think?

[dsc]

1. And how long do you think we will have to wait for the same thing?

I would bet I won't live to see it.

[Meeker Morgan]

2. We already had one gay governor that I know of ...

... but he was already in office when he came out (as he was on his way out of office).

One congressman that I know of, a few mayors.

I don't expect to see an already out gay elected governor or senator any time soon, even in a liberal state.

And never mind president.

[dsc]

3. Barney Frank is our only shot

and it is a long shot. He would have run for Kerry's seat had Kerry won in 04 but now as we are poised to win the House he won't give up that seat.

[gaspee]

5. Nope -- not Frank, look a little south

Look to RI for the first openly gay elected governor. I'm giving it about 5-8 years and David Cicilline, the current mayor of Providence will run for governor and win. That's my prediction.

[dsc]

6. You might have a point

He just needs to keep out of the corruption that Providence seems to breed.

[gaspee]

7. Corruption is a sport in this state

The good ole boy network is alive and well. But when you have a state that fits in Duval County, Florida, who you know really does matter.

So far, Cicilline seems to be clean. I hope it stays that way. He's been a very effective mayor, from what I've seen.

It's funny because the mayor of Warwick, the second largest city in the state is a gay republican. I'm not sure if he's officially out or not, though. Everyone knows, but I don't think he's ever made an announcement.

[Kellanved]

4. The article has a major error

"The Social Democrats are expected to elect the party's candidate for chancellor next year in a two-way race between the current leader, Kurt Beck, and Mr Wowereit."

That won't happen. Wowereit endorsed Beck for the role a few weeks ago. Here's a better article:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,437943,00.html

http://www.klaus-wowereit.de


Anyway, the Berlin SPD is pretty firm in supporting him; the 2001 T-shirts with his coming out line "Und das ist auch gut so" are still pretty popular (I still have two or three).


http://www.klaus-wowereit.de/zur_person/und_das_ist_auch_gut_so/ (about an American who asked for a set)

[sueragingroz]

8. In Canada we have Scott Brison

He's running for the leadership of the Liberal Party (could be next PM of Canada). He is a longshot because of his age, but he is a contender...



You can read about him here: http://www.scottbrison.ca/index_e.php