Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick stood by his daughter as she came out as a lesbian and marched with her in Boston's annual gay pride parade last year.
Various polls show that the black community is largely non-supportive of gay rights advancement. As a political leader, Patrick is an important exception to the rule, as are Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, comedian and actress Wanda Sykes, Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty, and New York Gov. David Paterson (follow the links of each person to read a short biography).
Patrick previously led his state's effort to save same-sex marriages from a legal challenge that would have discontinued the practice in the state. Massachusetts was the first state to allow gay couples to wed in 2004.
In explaining his position on marriage equality, he refers to the fundamental principle that "citizens come before their government as equals.”
Elected in November 2006, Patrick is the first black governor of Massachusetts, and the third black governor in U.S. history. He plans to seek re-election in 2010.
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