First Out LGBT Person Elected To Pennsylvania Legislature Sworn In

Brian Sims made history on Tuesday when he took office as the first person elected to the Pennsylvania legislature as an out LGBT person.

Via: brianksims.com

“The tide has changed. 2012 will go down in history as when being anti-gay puts you in the minority,” Sims said during the ceremony. Prior to his campaign, he was a lawyer and board president of Equality Pennsylvania.

Sims is one of two out LGBT lawmakers in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. In December, Rep. Mike Fleck, a Republican from Huntingdon County, announced that he was gay.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Sims said that with two gay members, the legislature would have a more difficult time ignoring gay civil rights issues such as discrimination in the workplace and in housing - the focus of legislation he has already introduced - as well as hate crimes and bullying.”