Every year, The Advocate magazine gives props to the "activists, artists and other stand-outs" who are advancing the gay rights movement around the globe. Last week, the magazine released this year's "Forty Under 40" list.
It isn't exactly dominated by the ladies. In 2009, just 10 of the 40 were women. This year, there are only 13.
Missouri state Sen. Jolie Justus is one of them.
Elected in 2006, the Kansas City Democrat was the state's first openly gay senator -- and she's got some hilarious stories about her initial interactions with her more rural and conservative colleagues to prove it.
But, as The Advocate points out, Justus has started to slowly prod the body in a more progressive direction, including her
persistent bill to add sexual orientation to the state's
non-discrimination codes. "Justus is an example of what a difference it
makes to have openly gay representation," The Advocate notes.
When I called Justus this morning she was busy with other important
business: trying to make Missouri's budget crisis a little less brutal
for the state's most vulnerable residents. But, in a follow-up e-mail,
she said she appreciates the nod. "I'm extremely honored and humbled to
be included," she said.
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