A Sign of Progress in Utah

A small sign, but a “gay activist” was elected to the Utah State Senate. For those of you who know Utah, a highly Mormon state, this is really quite incredible.

SALT LAKE CITY - With his parents and partner looking on, activist Scott McCoy was sworn in as a member of the Utah Senate on Monday, becoming the first openly gay member of one of the most conservative legislative bodies in the nation.

The 34-year-old Democrat called the moment historic, but stressed that his homosexuality will not define his work in the Senate.

“The fact that I am gay is certainly one of the characteristics with which I have been endowed by my creator and it is an important part of who I am as a human being. But it is certainly not the only characteristic that defines me, just as none of my colleagues can or should be reduced to any one of their many characteristics,” McCoy said. (source)