Brian Sims is Pennsylvania's first openly gay state legislator
by: Denis Dison, gaypolitics.com

Brian Sims, recent winner of Philadelphia's District 104

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Apr 25, 2012

Philadelphia, PA - Brian Sims last night has won a decisive Democratic primary in his Philadelphia district and will become Pennsylvania's first openly gay state representative. Sims defeated a longtime incumbent to capture the Democratic nomination in the heavily Democratic District 182, and will face no Republican opponent this November.

"Tonight we're celebrating a historic victory for Pennsylvania and for Brian," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, which endorsed Sims. "LGBT Pennsylvanians will finally have a voice in their state legislature, and what a strong and unyielding voice it will be. We are thrilled for Brian, who ran a remarkable campaign."

Sims, a former member of the Victory Campaign Board, is a distinguished policy attorney and civil rights advocate from Center City Philadelphia. The former Staff Counsel for Policy and Planning at the Philadelphia Bar Association, he recently stepped down as the President of the Board of Directors of Equality Pennsylvania.

Sims could have company in the Pennsylvania House. Another Victory-endorsed candidate, Chris Dietz, was unopposed in his Democratic primary tonight to represent District 104.