Kalamazoo, Mich. citizens voted to keep a city ordinance barring discrimination against LGBT persons Tuesday.  But somewhat lost in the celebration of that victory was the election of Terry Kuseske to the Kalamazoo City Commission.  Kuseske had worked to convince the city commission to pass the anti-discrimination ordinance upheld by city voters.

Kuseske’s dedication to LGBT issues featured prominently in a Kalamazoo Gazette story about the city’s new commissioner:

One of Kuseske’s higher profile roles in Kalamazoo of late has been his activism in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, including pushing for the passage of the gay-rights ordinance approved by Kalamazoo voters Tuesday.

Kuseske, in his roles on public boards, said he has not hesitated to reference himself as a gay man. It’s been a way for him to try to debunk the idea that gay people operate only in the shadows.

“I had to tell people that because that gives a point of reference that, yes, there is a gay man that is there doing good,” he said.

“We have had so many people telling our story for us. When you have other people defining you, then you live with that label. … I want people to know the rest of the story.”

Kuseske said he plans to be a bridge to the gay community while representing the interests of all in Kalamazoo.