Out Congressional hopeful set to make history

by Mark Segal
Gay History Project

Jared Polis is on track to become the third openly gay member of Congress this November.

Polis won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s Second Congressional District earlier this month and is expected to easily defeat his Republican challenger in his heavily Democratic district. Polis is the first openly gay individual to run for Congress from Colorado and would be the first openly gay man to be elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.

Mark Segal: Your victory changed the playing field for LGBT candidates. Considering your background, which was in conservation and education, how does a gay man decide to run for office and what, if any, worries did you have?

Jared Polis: I think it’s important for LGBT candidates to show they aren’t single-issue candidates and, just like straight candidates, really speak to the issues that voters care about. In my district, voters care about things like ending the war in Iraq, the environment and universal healthcare, and people everywhere care about improving schools, which was my background.

MS: Did your opponent or others make a point over you being gay?

JP: It’s a difficult thing to overtly make a point of without a backlash, but there’s certainly subtle ways that people did it, like with families, questioning why I didn’t serve in the military, but nothing too overt.

MS: Many people in political circles are saying that your campaign is the shape for LGBT candidates in the future. How do you feel about that?

JP: I think this cycle as a whole has put a number of cracks in the glass ceiling. I think the country has demonstrated it’s ready to elect a woman president or an African-American president. And through our congressional district, which is not a gay Mecca — we don’t have a major urban area — we showed [that] an openly gay candidate can win in a mainstream suburban district.

MS: How important was the support from the Victory Fund and other LGBT organizations?

JP: These elections are won and lost on the ground and in the local district. The national organizations can only do so much. We had a lot of grassroots support from the LGBT community and many volunteers. Certainly Victory Fund helped with fundraising and training, but ultimately, gay and lesbian candidates succeed or fail on their own merit, facing their own voters.

MS: Have you thought about the idea that in January there will indeed be, along with Reps. Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin, an actual gay caucus?

JP: We’ll finally have someone to meet with. I think that we should have a gay caucus going and try to convince some of the closeted Republican members to join. [Laughs.]

MS: When you walk into the Congressional Hall in January, what will be your feeling as a gay man making history?

JP: It’s exciting to be a part of making history. This has been an ongoing march toward equality. Hopefully, this will open up opportunities for other gays and lesbians in other parts of the country who didn’t think they would be able to participate in the public sphere.

MS: What will your role in the convention be?

JP: I’m working on a pretty busy schedule. I’ll be speaking to a number of groups, including the LGBT caucus, delegates, Stonewall Democrats and, of course, I’ll be doing a number of non-LGBT-related events as well. I’ve got a pretty full schedule.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less