- Christine Johnson (Utah politician)
-
Christine A. Johnson 
Member of the Utah House of Representatives
from the 25th districtIn office
January 1, 2007 – July 20, 2010Preceded by Ross I. Romero Succeeded by Joel Briscoe Personal details Born December 25, 1968
Charleston, South CarolinaPolitical party Democratic Party Spouse(s) None Residence Columbia, South Carolina Occupation Executive director of South Carolina Equality Christine Johnson (born December 25, 1968) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Utah House of Representatives from 2007 to 2010. She is now the executive director of South Carolina Equality, a gay rights group.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Johnson moved to the Utah Valley when she was a teenager and attended Timpview High School in Provo. She later attended Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, as well as Baltimore Community College and the University of the District of Columbia.[1] She spent eleven years studying classical violin and is a former member of the Utah Youth Symphony.
When state representative Ross I. Romero announced that he would seek a state senate seat in 2006, Johnson ran to replace him in the House. The only female among five candidates running for the seat at the Democratic convention, Johnson won the most support from delegates, finishing just one vote short of winning the nomination outright.[2] On 27 June 2006, a primary election took place between the top two finishers, with Johnson winning by 57% to 43%.[3]. She won the general election with 75.4% of the vote.
She is a former chair of the Salt Lake City's East Central Community Council and also served as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Salt Lake City. Johnson is a lesbian and serves as one of two openly LGBT members of the Utah legislature, alongside Rep. Jackie Biskupski.[4] She is a former board member of Equality Utah and her campaigns have won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.[5]. Representative Johnson served as an advocate for the environment, LGBT equality, women's reproductive rights and election transparency. She served on the House Judiciary, Economic Development, Revenue and Taxation and Speaker appointed Tax Review Commission. During the 2010 legislative session, she negotiated a highly controversial legislative moratorium on anti-gay bills with then Senate President Michael Whaddoups.
In January 2010 Johnson revealed she was a pregnant as a surrogate mother for two gay friends who were married in California before the passage of Proposition 8. She has a daughter from a previous marriage who attends Seattle University. Johnson gave birth in June 2010 to a baby boy.[6][7]
On March 4, 2010, Johnson announced she would not seek re-election to the Utah House.[8]
In July 2010, Johnson became the executive director of the GLBT civil rights group South Carolina Equality.[9]
References
- ^ Utah House of Representatives – Christine A. Johnson, http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?offset=24, retrieved 2008-04-29
- ^ "Just one Demo primary", Deseret News, 2006-05-13, http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635207365,00.html, retrieved 2008-04-30
- ^ "2 House members, senator fall", Deseret News, 2006-06-27, http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640190656,00.html, retrieved 2008-04-30
- ^ Rep. Christine Johnson – biography, http://electjohnson.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=36, retrieved 2008-04-29
- ^ Victory Fund: Christine Johnson, State Representative, http://www.victoryfund.org/endorsed_candidates/profile/candidate:103, retrieved 2008-04-29
- ^ Lesbian lawmaker in Utah carries baby for gay men, Associated Press/ABC 7, 2010-01-09, http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/story/Lesbian-lawmaker-in-Utah-carries-baby-for-gay-men/1-Bve5MI9Uu7P3JDYtw0WA.cspx?rss=1451, retrieved 2010-05-06
- ^ Winters, Rosemary (2010-06-25), "After giving birth, lesbian lawmaker leaving Utah", Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogs/lgbt/49829734-61/johnson-utah-baby-gay.html.csp, retrieved 2010-08-06
- ^ Raymond, Arthur (2010-03-04), "Utah Legislature: Rep. Christine Johnson opts out of seeking new term", Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700013984/Utah-Legislature-Rep-Christine-Johnson-opts-out-of-seeking-new-term.html?s_cid=rss-30, retrieved 2010-05-06
- ^ "Utah Legislature: Rep. Christine Johnson opts out of seeking new term", Deseret News (Associated Press), 2010-05-013, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700032046/Utah-lawmaker-Christine-Johnson-to-work-for-South-Carolina-gay-rights-group.html, retrieved 2010-08-06
External links
Categories:- 1968 births
- Dixie State College alumni
- University of the District of Columbia alumni
- Lesbian politicians
- LGBT state legislators of the United States
- Living people
- Members of the Utah House of Representatives
- People from Salt Lake City, Utah
- Women state legislators in Utah
- Utah Democrats
- People from Charleston, South Carolina
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