This article comes to us courtesy of SF Weekly's The Snitch.
In San Francisco, mayoral candidate Bevan Dufty is clamoring to be Mayor Ed Lee's No. 2, but internationally, the former city supervisor is already considered a "supergay" and it's not just because he's super gay. Researchers say he fits the definition of an extraordinary homosexual with special powers to inspire others.
The news was detailed in the Sept. 1, 2011 issue of Curve magazine.
San Franciscans Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols are seeking donations to fund their year-long, round the world vacation by coupling it with a hunt for inspiring LGBT leaders they call "supergays." You can find the results on their website, OutAndAround.com.
They decided that Dufty belongs to a exceptional supergay tribe that includes New Zealand military officers who also happen to be Civil Rights heroes, and an Australian Supreme Court Justice.
Here's how Chang and Dazols define supergays:
individuals who are leading the momentum on the LGBT movement. Supergays may be directly involved in community organization, or they may be using their influence in politics, health, arts, entertainment, or business to raise awareness and make progress on gay issues.
Without taking a position on the mayor's race -- we can safely conclude that Dufty fits that bill.
Dufty says he seeks to represent every San Franciscan -- not just gays. But that doesn't mean he's abandoned issues important to the LGBT community: Chang and Dazols noted his efforts run the gamut -- he's focused on programs for meth recovery as well those that cater to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth.
Dufty joked that his newly minted status as a supergay may draw envy from other San Francisco mayoral candidates. He wouldn't say who, but could it be City Attorney Dennis Herrera -- who has tried to lock the gay votes with his LGBT-friendly policies.
"You can usually tell from how they look at you during the campaign forums," says Dufty, who represents the Castro. "You can read the body language -- or at least supergays can."
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