Nov. 20 was a historic day in Tallahassee for newly-elected state representative Joe Saunders.
Saunders became the first openly gay legislator sworn into the Florida legislature. He was the second openly gay candidate voted into the legislature – beat to the punch by Democrat David Richardson, a CPA from Miami Beach, who secured his seat in the August primary elections. Saunders won his bid during the November general elections. By luck of how the speaker called the legislators up, Saunders was sworn in first.
“I was the first openly gay person to take the oath of office in the state house of representatives,” he said.
The entire weekend was an organizational session, to train legislators, place them onto committees and give the legislators keys to their offices.
Saunders will serve on the Choice & Innovation Subcommittee, Education Committee, Health Quality Subcommittee and Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee.
When he walked onto the legislative floor for the very first time, Saunders’ partner of 7 years, Donald Rupe, was by his side.
“It’s very exciting to have us both up there [in Tallahassee],” Saunders said. “It’s going to change a lot of things.”
Saunders said those changes are “subtle” and he’s referencing how that legislators are asked to bring their spouses and partners along to various places and occasions.
“There are all these different ways the families of legislators are recognized. Now, when they’re talking about family, they’re talking about me and Donald,” Saunders said. “That’s going to happen, over and over again. There are going to be all these different moments when people are going to be introduced to my partner and just have this ah-ha moment.”
For Saunders, Richardson and the rest of the legislators, committee meetings are underway.
