What a Deval Patrick presidency might mean for LGBTQ equality
By Ron Johnson · Wednesday, March 7, 2018
One of the nations first African-American governors, Deval Patrick, of Massachusetts, is considering a run for president.
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Patrick,
a former civil-rights lawyer and U.S. assistant attorney general under President Bill Clinton, served two terms as Massachusetts governor. He now manages Bain Capitals social-impact fund, after senior executive positions at Texaco and Coca-Cola.
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So how would a Patrick candidacy mean for LGBTQ voters? Patricks personal background and his public background both indicate potential support.
His daughter, Katherine Patrick, came out
two years into her fathers first term. She was 19. In 2015, the governor
announced his daughters engagement to Alisha Lemiuex.
Patricks two terms as Massachusetts governor also show a track record for LGBTQ issues. As governor, he stumbled on management problems before finding success in working to overhaul transportation, healthcare and international trade. He helped raise the states minimum wage in 2017. He supported an expansion of charter schools in exchange for millions in federal funding. But one of his biggest achievements on equality was in the states battle over same-sex marriage. Just before Patricks first inauguration, his predecessor, Gov. Mitt Romney, wanted a legislative vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
Patrick opposed the effort. He reached out to activists supporting same-sex marriage. He then worked with legislators before the proposed amendment was defeated in the legislature.
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https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/03/deval-patrick-presidency-might-mean-lgbtq-equality/