Florida City Elects High School Teacher as Its First Out Mayor
“don’t say gay” bill, on the opposite side of the state, an out politician in Boynton Beach, Fla., was elected mayor.Penserga will be the first out mayor of the city as well as the first out LGBTQ+ Asian American mayor elected in Florida state history, according to the Victory Fund.“This is a surreal moment for me,” Ty Penserga told supporters following his win, South Florida Gay News reports. “What you have taught me and what you have given me is an opportunity to fight for all of you.
This is the opportunity to do the work.”The 33-year-old has previously served as vice mayor. He was elected to the Boynton Beach commission in 2020.During his campaign, Penserga dealt with homophobic comments from Bernard Wright, who was also running for mayor.
Wright said on Facebook Live, “I ain’t with the LGBT.” He later said that Penserga wanted to make Boynton Beach a “gay city.”South Florida Gay News reports that Penserga won the race with 57 percent of the vote.
Wright came in last with 6 percent. “In this room, there are people from all parts of the political spectrum, whether you’re a community activist, whether you’re a radio talk show host, whether you are a businessperson, whether you are a community leader in the LGBTQ community, whatever it is this campaign has brought together so many people and I am so proud of all of you,” Penserga said Tuesday at his victory party. “There is more we have in common than separates us.
