interview conducted by Jason W. Bartlett
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised here is Wichita. I have 4 grown children and 5.5 grand kids. My youngest daughter died last year during the election—she was 20. I am a court appointed guardian for people with disabilities. I currently work in our county jail here where I have been for almost 4 years.
You ran for [the Kansas State house] in the primary and came very close to winning. Looking back, are you glad you ran? What did you learn from the experience?
Yes, I am glad that I ran, and I still believe that I am the best candidate for the district. I believe it says a lot about the candidate (and the opponent) when the opponent has to result to underhanded tactics to win. The experience of this election was priceless to say the least. I would have expected my sexual origination to become a issue with a right wing opponent, but not the vice-chair of our county party, or the Executive Director of the Kansas Equality Coliliton. I got to experience self-serving politics at its best.
How was it to run for public office as an “out” Black Lesbian candidate?
That question always tickles me. I have ran for public office before. And I ran this one as I did the others, just seeking more help financially. I had always thought I was out, but I guess I wasn’t.
Why did you want to run for State Representative? Do you think you would try again?
I believe that politics is were I am suppose to be. I always ask the Lord for guidance and let me tell you when I was directed to politics, I went kicking and screaming (laughs). But, the fact is that in order to affect change, we must be at the table when the descions that affect us are being made.
Yes, I plan on running again, next year in fact.
Do you think of yourself as a role model?
I believe we all are role models because there is someone always watching you, even when you don’t think they are. So we should live our life accordingly.
It is Black History Month—who is your role model? Do you have a hero?
Do I have one role model or hero? I do not. There are so many role models and heroes that have not had their stories told or printed.
When I look at my elders, I see all of them as my role models and my heroes. Nothing I can ever do in my lifetime will compare to what they endured to give me the opportunity to do what I do.
It has been a historic year politically, particularly with the election of Barack Obama. Do you think his election will make it easier for Black people to get elected? How about Black LGBT people?
I don’t think as historic as the presidential election was that is going to make it easier for Black people to get elected. Hopefully our children, and the adults that have lost hope, will see that with hard work they can achieve anything.
Nothing that we (Blacks, LGBTQ or Women) will every achieve will be easy. We will always have to fight for the changes we want to see.
What is the biggest challenge you face in being involved in politics in 09? What are your goals?
Don’t see any challenges yet. I will spend 09 fundraising and staying involved in my community.
What has your family thought about your political activism?
One of my daughters said it is weird. I don’t come from a politically active family my father voted for the first time when I begin running for public office.
