Top Ten Lesbian Newsmakers of 2012

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Tina Kotek, Speaker of the Oregon House of Repesentatives

Rep. Tina Kotek of Oregon will become the first out lesbian to lead a state legislative chamber after being elected House Speaker by her Democratic colleagues on November 15. The Associated Press reported on the vote, which needs to be formally ratified in January. Kotek told the AP that she knows her success as an openly lesbian official has inspired other LGBT people. 

"We all look for people out there who look like us," she said. "I have had emails and text messages from people who are very excited."

Kotek, 46, represents the Portland area. She lives with her partner Aimee Wilson, according to her biography on the state legislature’s website.

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