In the most recent gubernatorial elections, Oregon voters made history when they elected the nation's first openly bisexual governor. Kate Brown, who was sworn into office in February, took the place of Governor John Kitzhaber who resigned over corruption allegations involving his fiancé. Not only is Brown the first openly bisexual governor, but also she is the second LGBT person to hold the gubernatorial office. The first was New Jersey's former governor Jim McGreevey, who came out as gay prior to resigning due to a scandal in 2004.
For Oregon voters, a politician's sexual orientation is only a footnote, as it should be. Tina Kotek, the current speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives is a lesbian, while former Portland mayor Sam Adams is gay. With Brown being the first openly bisexual governor, hopefully Americans outside of Oregon will gain a better understanding of the LGBT community.
Before becoming governor, Brown was Oregon's secretary of state since 2008. She has held a number of political positions in the state since 1991. While most Oregon voters are open to electing LGBT officials, in a recent news article Brown explained that being a bisexual political has been a struggle. There were many instances in which she thought coming out as a bisexual would negatively impact her career. While many people suspected she was bisexual, her bisexuality wasn't formally confirmed until the Oregonian, the state's biggest newspaper, published an article revealing her sexual orientation.
“I believe it was during my early 30s that I figured out who, or what, I am. But it wasn’t until it was written in the Oregonian newspaper that I was bisexual that I had to face the inevitable and let those around me know," Brown said in an article published in The Guardian.
In a documentary about LGBT politicians called Breaking Through, Brown elaborated on being a bisexual politician. “I was walking on eggshells the whole time. Like I couldn’t be who I am. I’m not free to be myself. It feels like you’re cutting off your legs or your arms. It feels like you can’t be a whole person."
While Brown was at first nervous about her bisexuality being publically known, it can be a starting point for Americans everywhere to better understand the struggles of bisexual individuals. Hopefully, Brown's open bisexuality will open the doors for other gay and bisexual individuals to come out and openly be who they really are.
If you are a bicurious or bisexual individual looking to meet other bisexuals in your area, try bi sexual dating sites. Bisexual dating sites are a great place to connect with others who experience similar struggles and have the same interests and aspirations as you.
