Out the Archives is a recurring feature diving into the Windy City Times collection, offering a look back at the rich history of LGBTQ+ Chicago. In this edition, we look back at the December 1997 issue of En La Vida.
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En La Vida’s December 1997 issue covered a major milestone in U.S. political representation—the first openly lesbian Latina elected in the country. Margarita Lopez made LGBTQ+ history when she was elected to the New York City Council on Nov. 4, 1997.
She was one of 10 openly gay candidates with support from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund who won their respective races. Across the country, lesbian and gay candidates came away with an 83% success rate in this election. From Ohio to Virginia and California, multiple candidates became the first in their state to be out in government or added to an existing group of queer elected officials.
Lopez won a close democratic race in the primary before going on to compete in the general election. She came to the election with over 20 years of community and political activism. One of her main platforms involved tenants’ rights, fighting for rent regulations and pushing for campaigns that would promote and support local small businesses. She was also involved for more than 10 years with a program helping houseless individuals find clothes, jobs and shelter.
In Ohio, Mary Wiseman and Louis Escobar became the first two openly LGBTQ+ officials in the state—Wiseman was elected to Dayton’s City Commission and Escobar to one of six at-large seats on the Toledo City Council. Escobar was the first non-incumbent to win a seat and was not endorsed by the Toledo Blade.
Jay Fisette became Virginia’s first-ever openly gay official after winning every precinct in his district to win his election to the Arlington County Board.
“Putting exemplary gay [candidates] like these in the public spotlight eradicates the false and negative stereotypes that keep us from achieving true equality,” said Kathleen DeBold, Victory Fund’s then-political director. “Each time an openly gay person wins election, our community proves to voters that good government doesn’t come in a certain color, or gender or sexual orientation.”
At the time, Victory Fund also announced candidates it would be backing in 1998 elections, including Wisconsin State Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who was then seeking a Democratic Party nomination for the open 2nd District Congressional seat. She went on to assume office Jan. 3, 1999—becoming the first woman and openly lesbian woman elected to the U.S. House from Wisconsin.
In 2013, she became a senator for Wisconsin, becoming the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ to be a Wisconsin senator. She has been the Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus since 2017.