Public Must Accept LGBT Politicians

And conventional wisdom also tells you that if you're gay and want a political office, it's best to stay in the closet.

But more and more successful pols are bucking that trend.

If you don't believe me, take a look at the photo exhibit "Out and Elected in the U.S.A." on display at the Carrboro Century Center.

The exhibit was organized by Washington, D.C., photographer R. S. Lee, who spent more than four years compiling all of the material.

There are 60 photos of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans who either hold public office or held public office in the past.

Surrounding the photo montages are personal essays from leaders in 30 of the 33 states where openly gay and lesbian officials have captured elected office.

With the sponsorship of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a national educational and public interest group that helps gay and lesbians attain political office all over the country, the exhibit is on a national tour after a stint in Washington, D.C.

And Carrboro was its first stop.

There's good reason for Chapel Hill and Carrboro to be the national debut for this exhibit.

That's because this area has been the vanguard of LGBT political opportunity in North Carolina.

In fact, two of our own are on display in the exhibit itself.

Joe Herzenberg, former Chapel Hill Town Council member and mayor pro tem, became the state's first openly gay elected official when he sat down in the Chapel Hill Town Hall in 1987.

And Carrboro Mayor Mike Nelson became North Carolina's first openly gay mayor in 1995.

But obviously Chapel Hill and Carrboro are not microcosms of the entire state.

There are still many counties here where people would be deathly afraid to come out of the closet, much less try and run for a publicly elected office.

Supporters of this exhibit, including photographer Lee himself, hope this tour will allay some of those fears -- or at least educate the public at large.

"If this can help one person who has always said, 'No way, no how,' realize that it doesn't have to be that way, that they don't have to spend their life trying to be something that they're not, then I've accomplished my goal," Lee said.

People like Nelson and Herzenberg are anomalies in a state whose national political identity is inexorably linked with Sen. Jesse Helms.

But recognizing their contributions to political mainstreaming for gays and lesbians in the state is important.

After all, what other group of people can say they have representatives holding political office in just 33 of the country's 50 states?

Jewish-Americans?

African-Americans?

Women?

Of course not.

But face it.

Though racial and religious discrimination is still prevalent in our country, discriminating against and ostracizing gays and lesbians are the most socially tolerated forms of intolerance in our society today.

Jokes and innuendo regarding sexual orientation are fair game for sitcoms and late-night comedy hosts.

Walk through the Pit and hear, "That's so gay," or, "What a fag."

In such a climate at large, is it any wonder that there are only 33 states with openly gay and lesbian officials?

(Though I promise that all 50 states have ones still hiding in the closet.)

That's why recognizing those who have taken the bold step to not only open up their closets to the public, but freely come out of them, is worthwhile.

"Out and Elected in the U.S.A." premiered April 14 to a crowd of more than 100. The exhibit runs through May 12.

Take a few minutes to visit.

The men and women who grace the Century Center's walls are pioneers who have my gratitude and respect.

At the very least, they deserve to have us hear what they say.

Columnist Jonathan Chaney can be reached at jhchaney@email.unc.edu.