Christine Quinn, New York City Council speaker, came in third place in the democratic mayoral primary to be mayor of NYC. Quinn is the third woman to seek that office in the past 20 years, there has never been a female mayor of New York City. Some say that it's because of Quinns sexuality that lost her the votes, the fact that she never really used it as leverage or talked about until the end of her campaign when it was clear she was losing. She was highly uncomfortable talking about her sexuality since New York hadn't ever been very nice to the female candidate, also waiting to align with gay activists to the very end of the campaign. At the end of the day, she lost the primary but continues her job as the city council speaker until January, after that she's unsure of what she'll do.
I think that there is a serious social stigma around woman leaders and around homosexuality. If she was already pushing to be the first women mayor then I don't know why she wouldn't have used those two things to her advantage. By empowering women and joining with gay-rights activists in the liberal city of New York, she could've been given a serious leg up. It's unfortunate that she felt like she couldn't openly talk about her sexuality throughout the campaign but I hope that she tries to run again later on and succeed.
http://news.yahoo.com/nyc-mayoral-race-quinn-women-sexuality-133355487.html
I agree with you that there shouldn't be such an outlook on women as leaders and homosexuality. Hopefully soon, we will be better as a country about our views on these groups.
ReplyDeleteI do see a good point in the 'leg up' aspect. But I do find myself wondering whether she should have had to state it for her to achieve votes. Then again when it comes to politics there is always the unnecessary but necessary use of information.
ReplyDeleteOur society is slowly but surely moving toward a more accepting attitude regarding homosexuality. I feel like the day someone is elected into a position of power will be the day that we are one more HUGE step closer to winning that feat. It's almost impossible to pin point when that will happen, but I certainly hope its soon.
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