Comments on: Proud Mary

By: J.W. Richard

J.W. Richard — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 23:02:39 +0000

I’m proud of you, Mary! Thank you for your service.

By: James Simmons

James Simmons — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 14:35:21 +0000

For God’s sake, people. WHO CARES! Elected officials are placed in public offices to work for the good of the people–the commonwealth. ”The people” means everyone, not just their personal favorites. As long as Ms. Gonzalez fulfills her oath of office and does so in a manner that is reputable and trustworthy, then who gives a flying ___ who she dates? What we need right now, on all levels, is for our elected officials to run the country (or the states, counties or cities, whichever) and let the social issues take care of themselves. (And they will, if the lawmakers will simply mind their own business and butt out.) Once we stop meddling in their private lives, perhaps they will stop passing laws that meddle in ours–and repeal those laws that are discriminatory in the process.

By: Patrice

Patrice — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:20:12 +0000

Ms Gonzalez is quoted in the article as having come out as bisexual to her parents. Her references to herself always speak of being part of LGBT. That’s only this article and I can’t speak to any other references but I don’t see a discrepancy here. For most uneducated people if you are bi, they focus on the same sex dating and consider that gay or lesbian. I’ve been openly bi for nearly 30 years and that’s been my experience.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:28:54 +0000

I would appreciate any reference in which Mary Gonzalez referred to herself as a lesbian, because I have never read or heard her use the term referring to herself. I can understand her not using the word “queer” when running in a conservative rural district, as the nuances of terminology may be lost on those voters. But “gay” is a broad enough term that I, for one, am not going to nitpick about what word this inspiring young woman uses.

And shame on you, Devil’s Advocate. Texas finally gets an LGBT legislator and the first thing you want to do is tear her down.

By: John Wright

John Wright — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:22:45 +0000

@Marcus and Devil’s Advocate: In interviews with the Voice, Gonzalez has said she wants to publicly identify as a lesbian or as a “gay woman.” Generally speaking, we allow people in the LGBT community to self-identify without conducting investigations into their private lives. Personally I identify as gay. However, I have dated women in the past. If Ms. Gonzalez said she wanted to publicly identify as “queer,” we would oblige. But again, that’s her call.

By: Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:16:22 +0000

Jeez Devils Advocate… what business of YOURS is it, how Ms. Gonzalez identifies, or who she has or hasn’t slept with??? You have NO right to decide whether she’s a lesbian or not!! A lesbian is a woman who is attracted to other women, doesn’t necessarily mean she can’t have ever been attracted to men. Grow up.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:59:31 +0000

I have never heard Mary refer to herself as a lesbian, only lazy headline writers seem to do that. I’ve only heard Mary refer to herself as queer.

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:52:58 +0000

Sorry to break it to everyone, but Mary Gonzalez is a “lesbian” and not a lesbian. Just prior to her election, she dated men. Certainly, she may have dated women, but she has dated more men than women. We might say dating should be personal, but when who you date can affect your campaign contributions then there should be more scrutiny. She claims at age 21 she came out, which would be 2003. But during that time she was an intern at Capitol and she was dating men.