Date:         Tue, 20 Sep 1994 10:32:56 EDT
From: VictoryF@aol.com
Subject:      Openly Gay Cand: Susan Leal



[This is the first in a series of profiles of openly gay and lesbian
candidates recommended by the Victory Fund to its national donor network.
 For more information, please contact Kathleen DeBold at victoryf@aol.com]



SUSAN LEAL FOR SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Election:  November 8

          The first openly lesbian Latina ever to serve on San
     Francisco's Board of Supervisors, Susan Leal is a proven champion
     of civil rights.  She drew national attention when she challenged,
     fought, and ultimately reversed First Interstate Bank's decision to
     drop sexual orientation from its anti-discrimination policy.  Her
     intervention ensured new protection for the bank's lesbian and gay
     employees in California and 13 western states.

          Susan recently co-authored a plan to allow city employees to
     designate a domestic partner as retirement benefits beneficiary.  She
     passed legislation continuing general assistance stipends for
     terminally ill without questioning their immigrant status (most are in
     final stages of HIV/AIDS and otherwise would be hospitalized or
     homeless).  And she has waged a high visibility effort to question
     PBS's decision to cancel the sequel to "Tales of the City," the
     critically acclaimed drama about San Francisco life in the 70's.

          In a poll of City Hall regulars, including supervisors, their
     aides and reporters, Susan was rated in the top five for
     "intelligence," "integrity," and "potential."  In all published polls
she
     continues to hold fifth place in a tight race for the five available
     seats on the board.  Many voters remain undecided.  With at least
     20 candidates in the race, Susan's fifth place standing is anything
     but secure.  With high-profile races for governor and the U.S.
     Senate, as well as the keen competition from Susan's mutually
     endorsed colleagues Tom Ammiano and Carole Migden, the
     scramble for campaign dollars is fierce. Susan's appointment to this
     seat was a milestone for our community, but that victory will be a
     hollow one unless she can raise the support she needs to keep her
     winning edge.

Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 707
Washington, DC 20005
victoryf@aol.com (email)
202/842-8679 (phone)
202/289-3863 (fax)