Lesbian Elected to Oakland City Council

Rebecca Kaplan, a self-described bi dyke, has been elected to the Oakland city council’s at-large seat on Tuesday, November 4. Kaplan becomes the Bay Area’s highest-ranking lesbian lawmaker and returns queer leadership to the East Bay city.

Kaplan, 38, secured her election win with 62 percent of the vote in unofficial returns Wednesday, November 5 against opponent Kerry Hamill, who came in second place with 37 percent of the vote. Having taken first place in the June election with 40 percent of the vote compared to Hamill’s 21 percent, Kaplan had been expected to easily capture the seat being vacated by longtime Councilman Henry Chang.

Congrats Rebecca!