First Openly Gay Dad as Governor

Jared Polis, the new governor of Colorado

As the mid-term election results continue to roll in, we're seeing more and more stories of inspiration. It's been "a rainbow wave" as Van Jones says. We've seen more women, more color, more religions, more LGTBQ ... we've seen more diversity win elected posts than ever before. And, politics aside, it's inspiring.

I don't care what anyone says, it's inspiring. At least to me. And some of it hits quite at home, to be honest, so of course I would find it inspiring.

I'd like to point out one example: Jared Polis, the newly elected governor of Colorado. He's married to a man and he's a father of three. And he's the first openly gay dad to become a governor in the United States.

If only there had been these kinds of role models when I was raising my two children, not as a governor but as an openly gay man. It was hard, because there were very few of us around. It was hard, and I'm not ashamed to say it twice. I could have used some inspiration back in the day. And just like Jared, I got a lot of, shall we say, "comments."

But "comments" aside, I raised my two kids and they are happily and successfully pursuing their own lives now. I'm hoping that Jared inspires others like them, and also inspires other gay dads to find their own successes, raising their children and pursuing their careers.

Congratulations, Jared! And thank you.  What's your experience? JIM.

PS - Jared's win is also posted on Gays with Kids, if you'd like to read about him there.