Q&A with openly queer Georgia Rep. Park Cannon

Park Cannon, a 2014 UNC graduate, won the runoff election for Georgia House of Representatives District 58 Feb. 16. Cannon is the third openly queer member and the youngest queer woman of color to be elected to the Georgia House.

Staff Writer Caroline Metzler talked with Cannon about what inspired her run and what she hopes to accomplish in office.

The Daily Tar Heel: What appealed to you most about running in Atlanta?

Park Cannon: Atlanta, to me, is home. I grew up in Albany, which is three hours south of Atlanta. I also have family in Camilla... And so the opportunity to run for a legislative seat that would cover not only Atlanta, but also the rest of the state, was incredibly exciting because I felt as though I would be able to represent the opinions and the lived experiences of my family members and my friends statewide.

DTH: How did organizations such as NARAL and the pro-choice organizations you joined here at UNC influence your beliefs and abilities?

PC: Some of the organizations that I was most active with were all about women’s healthcare access because that is where it starts and ends, genetically and physically. But also in a lot of Southern households, matriarchs, or female figures, are decision makers, they are nurturers. I began to look at the importance of creating policies that support those critical people. Those are the people who bring families together.

DTH: How will your identification with the LGBTQ community influence your time as representative?

PC: I am really excited to partner with individuals and organizations that support LGBTQ visibility, access and viability. Down here, there is a dire need for a gay voice in the legislature because it is just missing. There are only two people and now I am the third, and that’s even a large load to take on.

DTH: How does being the youngest woman of color candidate at age 24 influence your impact on the Georgia House?

PC: This sets me into the seat as a minority within the minority party. As a woman of color who is young in the Democratic Party and who is progressive, I am bringing a new perspective on policy. That means that things will get shaken up, it means that people will be challenged to think critically about how this not only affects their immediate circle, but people outside of that circle. I want to be able to bring people from the margin to the center of the political process.

DTH: What are some short-term and long-term goals you want to achieve in your time as representative?

PC: Short-term goals for being state representative within the 2016 legislative session are to gain support of both parties by ameliorating relationships ... I want people at the State Capitol to see those social circumstances that our constituents face as to why they desperately need Medicaid expansion ... I would also love to be a strong voice for our children’s schools ... As far as long term-goals go, I will always be a women’s wellness advocate and I will always fight for the rights of LGBTQ individuals. I hope and intend to, in the next session, place legislation that talks about women’s healthcare access, that talks about sexually transmitted disease rates for LGBTQ individuals and how we can help our citizens by passing progressive policies.

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