Maine State Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, who earlier this year was unanimously elected to become Maine’s youngest and first openly gay Speaker, has just been honored with the LGBTQ Victory Institute‘s 2021 Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award.
“Thanks to your support and votes I’m LGBTQ Victory Institute’s 2021 Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award recipient!” Rep. Fecteau wrote yesterday on his Facebook page.
“It’s been an honor of a lifetime to serve as Speaker of the Maine House. Leading during these uncertain and politically volatile times has been a significant test, but I feel blessed to be called to this work and to do so alongside dedicated public servants,” says Fecteau.
The Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award is given to a rising star in U.S. politics who has spent their career fighting for LGBTQ equality. Past recipients include Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, Florida state Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, North Carolina state Representative Deb Butler and Peruvian Congressman Alberto de Beláunde, according to the Victory Fund’s statement.
Nominees for this year’s award – also chosen by Victory Institute supporters – included California State Senator Scott Wiener, North Carolina State Representative Vernetta Alston, Arizona State Representative Daniel Hernández, President of the Erie (PA) School Board Tyler Titus and Milwaukee Common Councilmember Jocasta Zamarripa.
“A longtime advocate for pro-equality legislation, Speaker Fecteau successfully banned conversion therapy in the state. His other legislative priorities include expanding affordable housing options, championing career and technical education opportunities, and pushing for solutions to Maine’s childcare challenges. He recently shared his own coming out story in the Bangor Daily News,” the announcement highlights.
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