VA’s first openly Gay Black Elected Official

Bravo! The City of Falls Church, VA (mere miles from where Spouse & I lived) has elected its 1st openly gay Black official.

Falls Church Elects Lawrence Webb As The State's First Openly Gay African American Elected Official
http://blueweeds.typepad.com/blue_weeds/2008/05/falls-church--1.html

Falls Church City voters have elected Lawrence Webb as the first openly gay African-American elected official in the state's history. More from Victory Fund. Lawrence was elected Tuesday to the Falls Church City Council as the third highest vote getter in a hotly contested field of seven canidates.

A native of southern Virginia, Lawrence is a graduate of Shenandoah University where he was the first African-American student government president. After gradutaion, he worked for Senator Chuck Robb (D-VA) leading African American voter registration and education drives among Virginia universities and colleges in rural counties across Virginia.

Lawrence is a respected advocate for creating and preserving opportunities for higher education in Virgina's African-American communities. He is a leader in the James Farmer Scholars Program, which provides information seminars, academic guidance, and practical support to African American students interested in attending college. Lawrence was appointed by Virginia Governor Mark Warner (D-VA) to serve on the statewide Department of Education Corrections Board.

I have had the privelege of knowing and working with Lawrence through his work as a precinct capatin and election volunteer in Arlington and Falls Church. Lawrence was the recipient of the 2007 Eighth Congressional District Grassroots Award.

Congratulations to Lawrence on a well run campaign and a well deserved election.


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