1st openly gay Alabama lawmaker bows out to standing ovation
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s first openly gay legislator received a standing ovation as she bid farewell to the House of Representatives ahead of the last day of the legislative session Wednesday.
Democratic Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham will not seek re-election after serving 12 years. Todd said on the House floor Tuesday evening that her life had changed forever when she joined the Alabama legislature as its first openly gay member in 2006.
“You are incredible, beautiful people, some people I thought I would never get along with or never like,” Todd told fellow lawmakers.
She said that when she speaks to gay political candidates around the country, they always ask how she’s received in Alabama. She answers that she’s treated like anyone else.