November 29, 2005
AP Story on Minneapolis' Lesbian Fire Chief
365Gay.com picked up an Associated Press story highlighting Minneapolis' openly lesbian fire chief, Bonnie Bleskachek. When you get frustrated by the long, cold and dreary winters, it's good to think about how progressive our city is. The mayor had this to say about his appointment of Bonnie Bleskachek a little over a year ago:
"'The appointment was made the week after last year's election, where there was some extraordinarily damaging rhetoric about members of the gay and lesbian community,' Rybak said. 'I was stopped on the street about a month afterwards, by a woman who is raising her child with her partner. She said for their daughter to be able to see someone like them on front page of the paper, after hearing all the bad things -- it meant a lot.'
But ultimately, Rybak said, 'the significance of all of the labels attached to Bonnie is that they are not as important as her skill as a leader and a professional.'"
The article also notes that Minneapolis has the highest ratio of women in the Fire Department in the nation.
Posted by Andy at November 29, 2005 11:21 AMRecent News
Corporations Court Gays, Pioneering Social Worker Passes Away:
The Pioneer Press looks at corporations actively recruiting LGBT workers. "When he was preparing for his job hunt last year,...
** Sep 24, 2007 **
Iran President: 'No Homosexuals in Our Country':
AmericaBlog has more....
** Sep 24, 2007 **
Get Ready for Another Marriage Amendment Push:
The social conservatives' buzz over the Iowa court decision striking down that state's Defense of Marriage Act continues in Minnesota...
** Sep 20, 2007 **
Religious Infringement Is Basis of Suit Against Minneapolis:
An organizational psychologist contracted by the Minneapolis Police Department filed a federal civil rights suit against the city of Minneapolis...
** Sep 19, 2007 **
South Central Minnesota Pridefest:
Last weekend (September 7-8, 2007) was South Central Minnesota Pridefest in Mankato, Minn, and it was a good example of...
** Sep 18, 2007 **
ACLU Comes to the Aid of Sen. Craig:
The ACLU has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Sen. Larry Craig's move to have his guilty plea to...
** Sep 18, 2007 **
Local Airport Restroom Becomes a Tourist Attraction:
The restroom in the Lindbergh terminal at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport where Sen. Larry Craig was arrested in June...
** Sep 17, 2007 **
As Iowa Shows, Marriage is Important to Both Sides of Debate:
On August 30th, a Polk County, Iowa, judge ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act in that state was not...
** Sep 15, 2007 **
Friday Music Video: Britney Spears:
The Today Show's Matt Lauer has the hard hitting report on Spears' performance at the MTV Music Awards, a performance...
** Sep 14, 2007 **
The Story That Won't Die: News Keeps Sen. Larry Craig in the Hot Seat:
Sen. Larry Craig's arrest in the now infamous Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport restroom continues to make news as the senator...
** Sep 11, 2007 **
Search
Favorites
Pam's House Blend
The Shane Life
Jesus' General
Damn Straight
Wayne Besen
AMERICAblog
5 o'clock bot
Keith Boykin
Andymatic
PageOneQ
Addy Free
Towleroad
Dan Renzi
Law Dork
Dunner
Queer Blogs
Zionide
Qweerty
Lloydletta
Boy's Brief's
Jasper Ridge
ExGayWatch
Margaret Cho
Good As You
Box Turtle Bulletin
Straight, Not Narrow
MN Politics
MN Campaign Report
A Bluestem Prairie
The Power Liberal
Minnesota Politics
Craig Westover
Dump Bachmann
Norwegianity
Pharyngula
Blanked Out
Minvolved
MN Publius
Blotter
Politics
Agonist
Atrios
WI No on the Amendment
Daily Kos
Andrew Sullivan
Talking Point Memo
Talk Left
Wonkette
The Arts
Gossip
Media
Star Tribune
CityPages
Lavender Mag
Blog Tools
Powered by
Movable Type 4.01
Syndicate this site (XML)
Support
Other Projects
Disclaimer
Andy Birkey is a participant in the Center for Independent Media New Journalism Pilot Program. However, all of the statements, opinions, policies, and views expressed on this site are solely Andy Birkey's. This web site is not a production of the Center, and the Center does not support or endorse any of the contents on this site.
Me
Categories
Anti-Gay Amendments
GLBT Media
GLBT Discrimination
GLBT Pride
Hate Crimes
HIV/AIDS
International GLBT
Katherine Kersten
MN GLBT News
Music
Queer Culture
Queer Health
Religious Assholes
Same-sex Marriage
Praise
"Andy is witty, funny, and gay and lives on Eleventh Avenue South." - Twin Cities Babelogue at CityPages
"Witty guys from Minnesota rock." - Dan Renzi
"Andy is proof that good things do come from the middle of the United States." - Fear This Factor
"Eleventh Avenue South is the most read gay Minnesota blog I know of." - Lloydletta's Nooz and Comments
"Andy is the center of the Minnesota (homo) blogosphere." - Opendoors
"I would most likely have an enormous crush if we didn't live appoximately one million zillion kilometres from each other; but we do, so I don't." - Surly Snobby
Comments
This is a HUGE accomplishment for GLBT rights, relating to the public sector of government! Visiblity in appointed positions help other citizens realize that discrimination is not the answer; furthermore, allowing people to view leadership within such a "deviant" part of society! Way to go Bonnie Bleskachek and Ryback!
Posted by: Blaine Anderson | November 30, 2005 9:19 PM
Thanks for bringing attention to the proposed ban on civil unions and marriage in Wisconsin. We'll need all the help we can get. And we may truly be in this together if an amendment moves forward in MN.
Posted by: Joshua Freker | December 1, 2005 2:45 PM