Leno/Migden Showdown and the New Queer PoliticsTommi Avicolli Meccabyline‚ Jan. 22‚ 2007The race for California State Senate that will pit a termed-out gay State Assemblymember against the incumbent lesbian Senator is yet another indication of the way that gay politics has changed in the past decade. More and more queer energy and time is being spent electing and re-electing out queer politicians than on tackling the big issues within the LGBT community, such as homelessness and the lack of affordable housing for youth, seniors and people with AIDS. The fact that State Assemblymember Mark Leno intends to run against State Senator Carole Migden for the Third Senate District seat probably has as much to do with term limits as it does with the fact that he feels he is the best candidate. Leno is playing the new political musical chairs. Supervisor Tom Ammiano, termed out on the Board of Supervisors, is doing the same thing: He’s seeking the seat Leno is vacating. Ammiano has Leno’s blessing. Obviously, Leno doesn’t have Migden’s. |