Openly Gay Assembly speaker, John A. Pérez makes History

California's first openly gay Assembly speaker, John A. Pérez, was sworn in to office yesterday.

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles performed before John said the oath.


Good luck, John! We expect great things from you.

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John Perez, the 1st Openly Gay Speaker in the CA Assembly

Congrats to John!

Perez will hold one of the most powerful positions in state government.

A cousin of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Perez was elected to the Assembly last year. He was challenged in the speakership race by Democratic Assemblyman Kevin De Leon, a fellow Hispanic lawmaker.

The nomination now goes before the full Assembly, but the candidate with the most Democratic support usually wins because Democrats hold a majority of seats in the 80-member chamber.

He will take over the position from Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, who was elected by her colleagues in February 2008.

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