Baltimore Could Elect First Openly Gay City Council member

Two African American gay men are running for open seat in Baltimore’s City Council

Two African-American gay men are among candidates vying for an open seat in the 11th District of the Baltimore City Council. The area to be represented includes Baltimore’s heavily gay neighborhood, Mt. Vernon. A primary election on September 9 will likely determine the November winner.

Fred Mason, III, an architect and community activist from a politically prominent family, brings experience in local, state and federal government. Considered a frontrunner, his candidacy has been endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the National Black Justice Coalition, two groups that advocate for LGBT empowerment.

Also contending for the Democratic nomination is Dana Owens, a Baltimore Black Gay Pride board adviser, who holds a background in business and politics.

The 11th District seat is being vacated because the current occupant, Keiffer Mitchell, has opted to run for mayor of Baltimore, a city challenged in the past year by resurging rates of violent crime, and murder in particular.


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