First All-LGBTQ City Government Elected in Florida

Wilton Manors, Florida elected a fully LGBTQ government this midterm election, reported the Miami Herald.

Openly gay man Justin Flippen was elected Mayor of Wilton Manors. Flippen has been serving on the commission since 2008.

“Tonight’s victory would not be possible without the support of loved ones, family, and friends who have invested time and talent in my candidacy and the community support from so many who, like me, are proud to call Wilton Manors home,” Flippen wrote in a response to his election.

Outgoing mayor Gary Resnick and Paul Rolli, both also gay men, won commission seats, joining LGBTQ lawmakers Tom Green and Julie Carson, who are already serving their terms as commissioners.

Commissioner Scott Newton, who is a straight man, lost his bid for re-election.

This all-LGBTQ government is the first of its kind in Florida.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Wilton Manors is the “second gayest city” in the country, a title proudly featured on the city’s website.

“With a large percentage of the population identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, Wilton has been a progressive place to live, work, and play for many years,” the website reads.

Stratton Pollitzer, the deputy director of LGBTQ-rights group Equality Florida, expressed his pride in the city to the Miami Herald.

“Wilton Manors is a city that really set the bar in terms of inclusion and LGBT equality,” he said. “This is our community’s hometown and it’s exciting to see it setting this first in Florida.”

The 2018 midterms brought many more LGBTQ wins across Florida, with at least nine candidates being elected. Among them was Teri Johnston, who was elected mayor of Key West. She made history as the first openly lesbian elected mayor in Florida.