Mark Leno
Mark Leno ( * September 24, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ) is an American politician (Democratic Party). He heard since 1 December 2008 at the Senate of California.
Training
Leno attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. He then moved to the American College in Jerusalem, where he earned his bachelor's degree in art. In New York he studied for two years at Hebrew Union College.
Political career
1998 Leno was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. From 2002 he was a member of the California State Assembly, where he represented the constituency 13, which consists of the eastern part of San Francisco; 2004 and 2006 he was re-elected each. After he had announced in 2007, wanting to run in the Democratic primary for state Senate against incumbent Carole Migden, he then sat by and won in the actual choice also.
Same-sex marriages
2005 Leno introduced the law by AB 849, that would legalize same-sex marriages. It was the first law on this subject, which was adopted in the United States. It happened both chambers of the California State Legislature, but was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Leno continued his initiative continued in 2007 with the law AB 43, which is to protect religious freedom and civil marriage.
Transgender Rights
He successfully lobbied to ensure that discrimination on grounds of gender identity were added to the California anti - discrimination law.
Leno drew the transgender activist Theresa Sparks from the first transsexual woman as a woman of the year in California.
Private life
Leno founded the company in 1978 Budget Signs, Inc. He led later together with his partner until he died in 1990 of AIDS.
Awards
- 2004: Award of Courage the American Foundation for AIDS Research
- 2005: Scales of Justice Award from the California Attorneys For Criminal Justice
- 2006: Lazarus Award for Marriage Equality
- 2006: Mentor of the Year of the California Young Democrats
- 2006: Herman Humanitarian Award of Temple Beth Chayim Chadashim