Newark mayor’s race: for gay uncil ndidate, LGBT advocy not jt polil, but personal | Observer

Contents:

• CORY BOOKER ON GAY RUMORS: SO WHAT DO IT MATTER IF I AM?
• NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER ON GAY MORS: ‘SO WHAT DO MATTER IF I AM?’
• OH’S FIRST GAY, BLACK MAYORAL CANDIDATE WANTS TO BRG QUEER EXCELLENCE TO SMALL-TOWN AMERI“IT TAK PEOPLE LIKE JEREMY [BLAKE] TO BE ABLE TO SHOW WHAT IS POSSIBLE."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY NI LANGFEBARY 13, 2019/3:09 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:960PX;WIDTH:960PX;}JEREMY BLAKE/FACEBOOKBY NI LANGFEBARY 13, 2019 / 3:09 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OH’S FIRST GAY, BLACK MAYORAL CANDIDATE WANTS TO BRG QUEER EXCELLENCE TO SMALL-TOWN AMERI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-02-13T20:09:32.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-02-13T20:09:32.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NI LANG","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVERYONE NEWARK, OH, HAS A JEREMY BLAKE STORY. THAT’S BEE JT ABOUT EVERYBODY KNOWS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER GETTG VOLVED LOL POLICS AS A TEENAGER, BLAKE HAS STAYED BY. HE SERVED ON THE MAYOR’S UNCIL WHILE HE WAS HIGH SCHOOL, BEME PRINT OF THE NEWARK SCHOOL BOARD AT 25, AND IS CURRENTLY HIS SEND TERM ON THE COLUMB EXURB’S CY UNCIL. IF HE DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH ON HIS RUME ALREADY, BLAKE HAS ALSO WORKED FOR THE OH DEMOCRATIC CC AND SOUTH NEWARK CIVIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MELDA MILLER, WHO RAN FOR THE OH HOE OF REPRENTATIV ALONGSI BLAKE 2018, SAID STROLLG AROUND TOWN WH HIM IS AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“HIS FAY HAS BEEN NEWARK FOR GENERATNS,” SHE TELLS NEWNOWNEXT. “IF YOU WALK AROUND NEWARK WH JEREMY, HE’S NSTANTLY GIVG HUGS TO PEOPLE ON THE STREET. HE ATTENDS MUNY MEETGS AND EVENTS WHENEVER HE N. SOMETIM ’S LIKE, ‘I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU HAVE ENOUGH HOURS THE DAY TO DO ALL THAT YOU DO.’”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN FENNELL, WHO ALSO SERV ON THE NEWARK CY COUNCIL, SAID HE ACTUALLY MET BLAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A BOOK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I REMEMBER THKG AT THE TIME: ‘THIS GUY SHOULD BE MAYOR,’” FENNELL CLAIMS. “YOU N TELL HOW MUCH JEREMY R ABOUT THIS MUNY. HE'S GOT A REAL PASSN FOR POLICS AND A GOOD HEAD FOR AS WELL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FENNELL’S PROPHECY MAY JT E TE. ON MART LUTHER KG DAY, BLAKE ANNOUNCED HIS NDIDACY FOR MAYOR OF NEWARK A VIO POSTED TO YOUTUBE. QUOTG THE FAMED CIVIL RIGHTS LEAR, HE SAID: “LIFE’S MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUTN IS: WHAT ARE YOU DOG FOR OTHERS?”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN NVERSATN WH NEWNOWNEXT, BLAKE SAID HE HOP TO NTUE HIS RERD OF CIVIC LEARSHIP BY BRGG ACUNTABILY AND TRANSPARENCY TO THE MAYOR’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“BEG A LEAR MEANS BEG CLIVE, BEG WELG, AND BEG TRANSPARENT WH ALL CIZENS,” HE SAYS. “WHEN I TAKE ON ROL AS A PUBLIC SERVANT—EHER AS A MEMBER OF CY UNCIL OR HOPEFULLY AS MAYOR OF THE CY—I WANT TO BE OPEN AND WELG TO ALL PEOPLE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE’S NDIDACY REPRENTS A MAJOR TONE FOR NEWARK. IF ELECTED, HE WOULD BE THE TOWN’S FIRST-EVER BLACK MAYOR. HE WOULD ALSO BE NEWARK’S FIRST LGBTQ PERSON TO S THE EXECUTIVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ADDN, BLAKE WOULD BE THE FIRST GAY, BLACK MAYOR OH’S HISTORY—AS WELL AS S THIRD LGBTQ PERSON TO HOLD THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHIED AWAY OM HIGHLIGHTG THE HISTORIC NATURE OF HIS MPAIGN, BILLG HIM AS “THE PEOPLE’S MAYOR.” IF HIS MSAGE PUTS POPULISM BEFORE INTY, BLAKE SAID ’S BEE LOL RINTS NEWARK DON’T KNOW HIM AS “THE GAY GUY” OR “THE BLACK MAN.” THEY REGNIZE HIM FOR HIS NTRIBUTNS TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THEY KNOW JEREMY BLAKE AS A GUY THAT GREW UP THIS TOWN AND HAS BEEN VOLVED WH PUBLIC SERVICE FOR ALL OF HIS LIFE,” HE CLAIMS. “THAT'S HOW PEOPLE KNOW ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE’S PUBLIC REGNN WILL BE PUT TO THE TT NOVEMBER, WHEN HE’S LIKELY TO FACE OFF AGAST THIRD-TERM CUMBENT JEFF HALL. AT THE TIME OF PUBLITN, BLAKE IS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT WHO HAS CLARED. THERE’S PERHAPS A REASON FOR THE LACK OF PRIMARY CHALLENGERS, AND ISN’T JT BLAKE’S FORMIDABLE C.V.: REPUBLINS HAVE HELD THE MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR 12 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NEWARK IS A PURPLE TOWN, SOLIDLY NSERVATIVE LICKG COUNTY WENT FOR DONALD TMP BY NEARLY 3O POTS 2016. BLAKE LOST LAST YEAR’S BID FOR DISTRICT 71 OF THE OH HOE BY A SIAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE BELIEV 2019 WILL BE DIFFERENT, HOWEVER. HE SAYS NEWARK IS READY FOR CHANGE.JEREMY BLAKE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCED FOR SOMETHG NEW,” HE CLAIMS. “IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT JT CHANGG FAC HIGH PLAC. WE'RE WANTG TO BRG SOME NEW POLICY AND MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE PEOPLE'S LIV.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A SHAKE UP AT THE TOP IS LONG OVERDUE. LAST YEAR, UNTY MISSNERS REFED BLAKE’S REQUT TO LIGHT UP THE LICKG COUNTY COURTHOE RABOW LORS TO CELEBRATE NEWARK’S FIRST-EVER PRI FTIVAL. OFFICIALS CLAIMED WAS AGAST POLICY, SPE MAKG EXCEPTNS FOR JOHN MCCA’S FUNERAL AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACRDG TO BLAKE, THE NTROVERSY FELT LIKE A “STEP BACKWARD” JT TWO YEARS AFTER THE NEWARK CY COUNCIL UNANIMOLY APPROVED AN LGBTQ-CLIVE NONDISCRIMATN ORDANCE—ONE HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I THK THAT CISN REALLY HURT ,” HE SAYS. “WE HAD SO MUCH MOMENTUM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT BLAKE BELIEV THE FALLOUT OM THE CISN “ENERGIZED PEOPLE” TO SUPPORT NEWARK’S LGBTQ PRI FTIVAL “EVEN MORE.” LOL BS OFFERED DONATNS AND SPONSORSHIPS. AN TIMATED 1,000 PEOPLE TURNED OUT THE DAY OF THE EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE CY’S QUEER AND TRANS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IT RALLIED PEOPLE TOGETHER,” HE CLAIMS. “THE UNTY MISSNERS’ CISN DID NOT REFLECT WHAT A MAJORY OF PEOPLE THIS MUNY WANT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE IS HOPG TO TAP TO THAT ENERGY THIS YEAR’S ELECTNS. EVEN WH NOV. 5 A FULL NE MONTHS AWAY, HE IS ALREADY PUTTG TOGETHER AN AMB GET-OUT-THE-VOTE EFFORT. HIS MPAIGN HOP TO TAP A VOLUNTEER RPS OF 25 NEIGHBORHOOD LEARS TO FOC ON OUTREACH EACH OF THE CY’S PRECCTS. A MAJORY OF POSNS HAVE ALREADY BEEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS SOMEONE WHO WAS SPIRED BY BLAKE TO N FOR OFFICE, FENNELL SHAR THE EXCEMENT. WHEN HE WAS HIGH SCHOOL, THERE WEREN’T MANY OUT LGBTQ ELECTED OFFICIALS TO LOOK UP TO. HE DIDN’T THK POLICS HAD ROOM FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM UNTIL HE MET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE NECSARILY THOUGHT THAT I ULD N A SUCCSFUL MPAIGN AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN IF JEREMY HADN'T BLAZED THE WAY,” HE CLAIMS. “IT TAK PEOPLE LIKE JEREMY TO BE ABLE TO SHOW WHAT IS POSSIBLE. HIS ABILY TO ANIZE AND TO SET AN EXAMPLE IS SOMETHG THAT HAS A VERY LARGE EFFECT ON PEOPLE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FENNELL ALSO PREDICTED THAT—W OR LOSE—BLAKE’S NDIDACY WOULD HAVE A TREMENDO IMPACT ON A NEW GENERATN OF LGBTQ PEOPLE WHO MIGHT THK THEY NEED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMETOWN TO BE THEIR MOST THENTIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“[LGBTQ PEOPLE] N HAVE AN CREDIBLE, FULL LIFE SMALL TOWNS,” HE CLAIMS. “AS AN OPENLY GAY BLACK MAN POLIL LIFE, HE IS A SHG EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF LIFE YOU N HAVE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE ORR TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND BE ACCEPTED. NEWARK IS THAT KD OF PLACE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER ONCE WROTE IN COLLEGE HE HAD 'HATED GAYS'
• CORY BOOKER MARRIED, WIFE, GAY, GIRLIEND, NET WORTH
• GAY MARRIAGE NOW LEGAL NEW JERSEY AS CORY BOOKER PRIS OVER SAME-SEX WEDDGS
• NEWARK MAYOR’S RACE: FOR GAY UNCIL NDIDATE, LGBT ADVOCY NOT JT POLIL, BUT PERSONAL
• FIRST NJ GAY COUPL WED
• NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER BLASTS PROPOSED N.J. GAY MARRIAGE REFERENDUM

CORY BOOKER ON GAY RUMORS: SO WHAT DO IT MATTER IF I AM?

Newark Mayor Cory Booker says don't matter whether he's gay, so he's not gog to answer the qutn. "People who thk I'm gay, some part of me thks 's wonrful, bee I want to challenge people on their homophobia, " Booker told the Post. "I love seeg on Twter when someone says I'm gay, and I say, 'So what do matter if I am?

NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER ON GAY MORS: ‘SO WHAT DO MATTER IF I AM?’

Booker has been asked the qutn for years, datg back to when former Newark Mayor Sharpe Jam' alli started spreadg the mor he was gay when he tried to unseat him 2002. His Republin opponent, Steve Lonegan, was a legally bld yet racially sensive anti-immigratn zealot whose flack ranted to a reporter that Booker teracted wh a stripper on Twter a manner ftg of “a gay guy.

Senate ndidate Cory Booker, rpondg to persistent speculatn that he is gay, says “So what do matter if I am? “And people who thk I’m gay, some part of me thks ’s wonrful.

OH’S FIRST GAY, BLACK MAYORAL CANDIDATE WANTS TO BRG QUEER EXCELLENCE TO SMALL-TOWN AMERI“IT TAK PEOPLE LIKE JEREMY [BLAKE] TO BE ABLE TO SHOW WHAT IS POSSIBLE."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY NI LANGFEBARY 13, 2019/3:09 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:960PX;WIDTH:960PX;}JEREMY BLAKE/FACEBOOKBY NI LANGFEBARY 13, 2019 / 3:09 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OH’S FIRST GAY, BLACK MAYORAL CANDIDATE WANTS TO BRG QUEER EXCELLENCE TO SMALL-TOWN AMERI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-02-13T20:09:32.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-02-13T20:09:32.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NI LANG","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVERYONE NEWARK, OH, HAS A JEREMY BLAKE STORY. THAT’S BEE JT ABOUT EVERYBODY KNOWS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER GETTG VOLVED LOL POLICS AS A TEENAGER, BLAKE HAS STAYED BY. HE SERVED ON THE MAYOR’S UNCIL WHILE HE WAS HIGH SCHOOL, BEME PRINT OF THE NEWARK SCHOOL BOARD AT 25, AND IS CURRENTLY HIS SEND TERM ON THE COLUMB EXURB’S CY UNCIL. IF HE DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH ON HIS RUME ALREADY, BLAKE HAS ALSO WORKED FOR THE OH DEMOCRATIC CC AND SOUTH NEWARK CIVIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MELDA MILLER, WHO RAN FOR THE OH HOE OF REPRENTATIV ALONGSI BLAKE 2018, SAID STROLLG AROUND TOWN WH HIM IS AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“HIS FAY HAS BEEN NEWARK FOR GENERATNS,” SHE TELLS NEWNOWNEXT. “IF YOU WALK AROUND NEWARK WH JEREMY, HE’S NSTANTLY GIVG HUGS TO PEOPLE ON THE STREET. HE ATTENDS MUNY MEETGS AND EVENTS WHENEVER HE N. SOMETIM ’S LIKE, ‘I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU HAVE ENOUGH HOURS THE DAY TO DO ALL THAT YOU DO.’”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN FENNELL, WHO ALSO SERV ON THE NEWARK CY COUNCIL, SAID HE ACTUALLY MET BLAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A BOOK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I REMEMBER THKG AT THE TIME: ‘THIS GUY SHOULD BE MAYOR,’” FENNELL CLAIMS. “YOU N TELL HOW MUCH JEREMY R ABOUT THIS MUNY. HE'S GOT A REAL PASSN FOR POLICS AND A GOOD HEAD FOR AS WELL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FENNELL’S PROPHECY MAY JT E TE. ON MART LUTHER KG DAY, BLAKE ANNOUNCED HIS NDIDACY FOR MAYOR OF NEWARK A VIO POSTED TO YOUTUBE. QUOTG THE FAMED CIVIL RIGHTS LEAR, HE SAID: “LIFE’S MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUTN IS: WHAT ARE YOU DOG FOR OTHERS?”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN NVERSATN WH NEWNOWNEXT, BLAKE SAID HE HOP TO NTUE HIS RERD OF CIVIC LEARSHIP BY BRGG ACUNTABILY AND TRANSPARENCY TO THE MAYOR’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“BEG A LEAR MEANS BEG CLIVE, BEG WELG, AND BEG TRANSPARENT WH ALL CIZENS,” HE SAYS. “WHEN I TAKE ON ROL AS A PUBLIC SERVANT—EHER AS A MEMBER OF CY UNCIL OR HOPEFULLY AS MAYOR OF THE CY—I WANT TO BE OPEN AND WELG TO ALL PEOPLE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE’S NDIDACY REPRENTS A MAJOR TONE FOR NEWARK. IF ELECTED, HE WOULD BE THE TOWN’S FIRST-EVER BLACK MAYOR. HE WOULD ALSO BE NEWARK’S FIRST LGBTQ PERSON TO S THE EXECUTIVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ADDN, BLAKE WOULD BE THE FIRST GAY, BLACK MAYOR OH’S HISTORY—AS WELL AS S THIRD LGBTQ PERSON TO HOLD THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHIED AWAY OM HIGHLIGHTG THE HISTORIC NATURE OF HIS MPAIGN, BILLG HIM AS “THE PEOPLE’S MAYOR.” IF HIS MSAGE PUTS POPULISM BEFORE INTY, BLAKE SAID ’S BEE LOL RINTS NEWARK DON’T KNOW HIM AS “THE GAY GUY” OR “THE BLACK MAN.” THEY REGNIZE HIM FOR HIS NTRIBUTNS TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THEY KNOW JEREMY BLAKE AS A GUY THAT GREW UP THIS TOWN AND HAS BEEN VOLVED WH PUBLIC SERVICE FOR ALL OF HIS LIFE,” HE CLAIMS. “THAT'S HOW PEOPLE KNOW ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE’S PUBLIC REGNN WILL BE PUT TO THE TT NOVEMBER, WHEN HE’S LIKELY TO FACE OFF AGAST THIRD-TERM CUMBENT JEFF HALL. AT THE TIME OF PUBLITN, BLAKE IS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT WHO HAS CLARED. THERE’S PERHAPS A REASON FOR THE LACK OF PRIMARY CHALLENGERS, AND ISN’T JT BLAKE’S FORMIDABLE C.V.: REPUBLINS HAVE HELD THE MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR 12 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NEWARK IS A PURPLE TOWN, SOLIDLY NSERVATIVE LICKG COUNTY WENT FOR DONALD TMP BY NEARLY 3O POTS 2016. BLAKE LOST LAST YEAR’S BID FOR DISTRICT 71 OF THE OH HOE BY A SIAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE BELIEV 2019 WILL BE DIFFERENT, HOWEVER. HE SAYS NEWARK IS READY FOR CHANGE.JEREMY BLAKE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCED FOR SOMETHG NEW,” HE CLAIMS. “IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT JT CHANGG FAC HIGH PLAC. WE'RE WANTG TO BRG SOME NEW POLICY AND MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE PEOPLE'S LIV.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A SHAKE UP AT THE TOP IS LONG OVERDUE. LAST YEAR, UNTY MISSNERS REFED BLAKE’S REQUT TO LIGHT UP THE LICKG COUNTY COURTHOE RABOW LORS TO CELEBRATE NEWARK’S FIRST-EVER PRI FTIVAL. OFFICIALS CLAIMED WAS AGAST POLICY, SPE MAKG EXCEPTNS FOR JOHN MCCA’S FUNERAL AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACRDG TO BLAKE, THE NTROVERSY FELT LIKE A “STEP BACKWARD” JT TWO YEARS AFTER THE NEWARK CY COUNCIL UNANIMOLY APPROVED AN LGBTQ-CLIVE NONDISCRIMATN ORDANCE—ONE HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I THK THAT CISN REALLY HURT ,” HE SAYS. “WE HAD SO MUCH MOMENTUM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT BLAKE BELIEV THE FALLOUT OM THE CISN “ENERGIZED PEOPLE” TO SUPPORT NEWARK’S LGBTQ PRI FTIVAL “EVEN MORE.” LOL BS OFFERED DONATNS AND SPONSORSHIPS. AN TIMATED 1,000 PEOPLE TURNED OUT THE DAY OF THE EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE CY’S QUEER AND TRANS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IT RALLIED PEOPLE TOGETHER,” HE CLAIMS. “THE UNTY MISSNERS’ CISN DID NOT REFLECT WHAT A MAJORY OF PEOPLE THIS MUNY WANT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLAKE IS HOPG TO TAP TO THAT ENERGY THIS YEAR’S ELECTNS. EVEN WH NOV. 5 A FULL NE MONTHS AWAY, HE IS ALREADY PUTTG TOGETHER AN AMB GET-OUT-THE-VOTE EFFORT. HIS MPAIGN HOP TO TAP A VOLUNTEER RPS OF 25 NEIGHBORHOOD LEARS TO FOC ON OUTREACH EACH OF THE CY’S PRECCTS. A MAJORY OF POSNS HAVE ALREADY BEEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS SOMEONE WHO WAS SPIRED BY BLAKE TO N FOR OFFICE, FENNELL SHAR THE EXCEMENT. WHEN HE WAS HIGH SCHOOL, THERE WEREN’T MANY OUT LGBTQ ELECTED OFFICIALS TO LOOK UP TO. HE DIDN’T THK POLICS HAD ROOM FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM UNTIL HE MET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE NECSARILY THOUGHT THAT I ULD N A SUCCSFUL MPAIGN AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN IF JEREMY HADN'T BLAZED THE WAY,” HE CLAIMS. “IT TAK PEOPLE LIKE JEREMY TO BE ABLE TO SHOW WHAT IS POSSIBLE. HIS ABILY TO ANIZE AND TO SET AN EXAMPLE IS SOMETHG THAT HAS A VERY LARGE EFFECT ON PEOPLE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FENNELL ALSO PREDICTED THAT—W OR LOSE—BLAKE’S NDIDACY WOULD HAVE A TREMENDO IMPACT ON A NEW GENERATN OF LGBTQ PEOPLE WHO MIGHT THK THEY NEED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMETOWN TO BE THEIR MOST THENTIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“[LGBTQ PEOPLE] N HAVE AN CREDIBLE, FULL LIFE SMALL TOWNS,” HE CLAIMS. “AS AN OPENLY GAY BLACK MAN POLIL LIFE, HE IS A SHG EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF LIFE YOU N HAVE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE ORR TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND BE ACCEPTED. NEWARK IS THAT KD OF PLACE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Bee I want to challenge people on their homophobia.

I love seeg on Twter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what do matter if I am? In a lumn a llege paper, Booker admted regretfully that as a teenager he had “hated gays, ” which prompted speculatn if he himself is gay. Robertson: Gays liberately spread AIDS by cuttg people wh special rgs.

Unti to issue marriage licens to gay upl.

NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER ONCE WROTE IN COLLEGE HE HAD 'HATED GAYS'

He would also be Newark’s first LGBTQ person to s the executive addn, Blake would be the first gay, black mayor Oh’s history—as well as s third LGBTQ person to hold the announcement shied away om highlightg the historic nature of his mpaign, billg him as “the people’s mayor. ” If his msage puts populism before inty, Blake said ’s bee lol rints Newark don’t know him as “the gay guy” or “the black man.

“I don't know if I would have necsarily thought that I uld n a succsful mpaign as an openly gay man if Jeremy hadn't blazed the way, ” he claims.

“As an openly gay black man polil life, he is a shg example of the type of life you n have. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Newark Mayor Cory Booker, an outspoken advote for gay rights, penned a lumn llege about overg the "disgt and latent hostily'' he once felt toward gay people. In a piece tled "Potg the fger at gays, '' Booker, then a stunt at Stanford Universy, wrote that he had "hated gays'' though he was able to feign acceptance until a meetg wh a gay peer unselor opened his ey to the stggle for acceptance shared by gays and his black grandparents.

CORY BOOKER MARRIED, WIFE, GAY, GIRLIEND, NET WORTH

Booker Wrote In College He Had 'Hated Gays'. "While hate is a four-letter word I never would have admted to, the sentiment clanstely pervad my every teractn wh homosexuals, '' Booker wrote the April, 8, 1992 edn of the Stanford Daily. "I still remember how my brow would often unnscly furrow when I was wh gays as thoughts would flash my md, 'What sners I am amongst' or 'How unnatural the people are.

Those views changed after Booker met a gay unselor at The Bridge, Stanford's peer unselg group, durg his hman year.

Booker said he wanted to "argue and bate'' wh the unselor, Daniel Bao, durg their first nversatn about homosexualy. '' Bao reunted stori of vlence agast gays, some of whom "religly prayed to God to help them bee straight.

GAY MARRIAGE NOW LEGAL NEW JERSEY AS CORY BOOKER PRIS OVER SAME-SEX WEDDGS

The experience clearly had a ep effect on Booker, now a vol supporter of gay rights who rrelat the fight for civil rights to gay rights speech and public ments.

"I was forced to nont my bias, my homophobia, my hypocrisy, " Booker told 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg. I am gay. Shatters Gay Rumors; But Is He Datg?

NEWARK MAYOR’S RACE: FOR GAY UNCIL NDIDATE, LGBT ADVOCY NOT JT POLIL, BUT PERSONAL

The junr US Senator, Cory was often surround by gay mors. But back 2013, he refed the stori about him beg gay an terview wh The Washgton Post. He stated, Bee I want to challenge people on their homophobia.

FIRST NJ GAY COUPL WED

I love seeg on Twter when someone says I'm gay, and I say, "So what do matter if I am?

9 meters (6 feet 3 ch)'t Fet: Ralph Nar Net Worth, Wife, Gay, Fay, Age, WikiHe attend Queen’s College om where he pleted his high school.

The mute gay marriage beme legal New Jersey, gay upl shed to Cy Hall early Monday to tie the knot and crack open the Pansidi and Orville Bell, both 65, beme the first gay uple to get hched at a jubilant ceremony Newark plete wh whe ros, a three-tiered weddg ke and, of urse, champagne. Alexandra Ortiz and Roberto Baez are the third uple to be married by Booker, who had refed to officiate any weddgs prott to the state's ban on gay marriag. (Enid Alvarez/New York Daily News)Newark Mayor and Senator-elect Cory Booker prid over the weddgs of seven gay upl and two straight Walp (left) and her partner Marsha Shapiro kiss after the marriage equaly rally on the lawn ont of Garn State Equaly Montclair, N.

NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER BLASTS PROPOSED N.J. GAY MARRIAGE REFERENDUM

(CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS)Booker was able to drop his personal ban thanks to a lg Friday by the state's hight urt, which refed to lay gay marriage while Republin Gov.

NEWARK – At a fom sponsored by the Newark LGBTQ Advisory Concerns Commissn on Tuday night, both of Newark’s ma mayoral ndidat addrsed approximately 150 people about issu affectg the cy’s gay and lbian muny.