I have heard lots of talk about the 2010 and 2012 elections lately. Although these years are important, let’s not sleep on the opportunities to support gay and gay friendly candidates who are running for office in 2009.

     Having been on the board of directors for both national and statewide organizations, I can appreciate the focus on getting the right people in office that can more directly impact our causes with legislation in Lansing and Washington, D.C., but there has always been one nagging question - how do we keep potential candidates who represent our issues and other progressive policies in the political pipeline.

     I looked, of all places, to the far right’s play book for answers.  Long before the George W. Bush bad old days, the conservative/far right began developing, training, promoting and supporting candidates who shared their philosophy. They ran these candidates in every race from the dog house to the white house.   They got elected to the school board and city commissions. They got appointed to committees/boards by governors. They became media “go to” voices speaking, so they would say, for the common man and often, as the result of this exposure were perceived as authorities on issues redefining policy and the balance of power.

     What value you might ask is there in promoting an openly LGBT or Ally candidate in an election for a non-influential position? The answer is simple, name recognition and votes for the future that would position fair-minded LGBTQA people to set a new political agenda across the board.

     Like it or not we have seen a host of candidates elected simply because the voter recognized their name from being on the ballot in past elections as well as receiving publicity both paid and free (quotes in newspapers, interviews, etc.).

     One classic example I remember occurred in Detroit when Rev. Nicholas Hood Jr. ran for a seat on the Detroit City Council where his father, Rev. Nicholas Hood Sr., had served for many years. After the election I encountered many people who were surprised to see the younger Hood at Council. They had not taken the time to investigate the candidate. They saw the name Hood and it was good enough for them.  Fortunately in this instance it was a good choice. But we can’t rely upon luck if we want to move our agenda for full equality forward.

     This is not just a Michigan phenomenon. Who didn’t chuckle when they heard professional wrestler Jessie “the Body” Ventura was running for governor of Minnesota or Arnold “I’ll be back” Schwarzenegger for governor of California? Well who is laughing now?? Did they turn out to be good elected officials or bad? We may all have our opinions but ultimately only history will tell.

     This year we have openly gay candidates running in several races most notably Jim Rasor in Royal Oak, Greg Pawlica in Ferndale, Terry Kuseske in Kalamazoo and Charles Pugh in Detroit.

     Now don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating voting for someone just because they are gay.

     I don't think you should vote for anyone just because they are gay, male, female, white, black, etc. They must earn our confidence. They must be agood candidate who is qualified to do the job.

     What I am advocating is, as a community, we should encourage qualified LGBTQA individuals to run for office and then help them win elections. We can't change the system if we are not part of the system.

     Too many good people don't run for a number of reasons (1) it puts all of your business out there for public comment; (2) it takes a huge amount of resources; (3) needs community support; and (4) can wreak havoc on your personal life and finances. If you are openly gay multiply these challenges by tenfold. But the benefits to our community are huge just look at Ferndale’s explosion due in part to the leadership by Craig Covey first on city council and now as Mayor. Ferndale is not a “Gay” city. It is a vibrant, alive, cool city, an example for the renaissance of cities across the state.

     The national organizations like HRC and NGLTF fund the big dogs. The Victory Fund has offered support to up and coming gay politicians including Charles Pugh. But the reality is our candidates need our support.

     So, in the days to come, let’s all reach out to our candidates across the state and show our support. You can go door knocking, make phone calls, attend a rally, plant a lawn sign or put a bumper sticker on your car. Learn where these candidates’ stands on issues affecting your community as a whole, then talk to your neighbors about the candidate on the issues.  Let’s keep it on the issues and off that “gay thing.”