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Kate Brown becomes the United States' first ever openly bisexual governor

The environmental lawyer and politician has blazed a trail by being open about her sexuality

Helen Nianias
Monday 16 February 2015 12:16 GMT
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Kate Brown is the fist bisexual governor in the USA
Kate Brown is the fist bisexual governor in the USA (Craig Mitchelldyer / Stringer / Getty Images)

Kate Brown is set to make history by becoming the United States' first openly bisexual governor. She is to represent Oregon.

Brown, who is yet to be sworn in, has served as Oregon's Secretary of State since 2008.

Democrat member Brown made a name for herself while serving in the state Legislature, where she campaigned for LGBT rights and financial reform. Brown is married to husband Dan Little, with whom she has has two stepchildren.

Her appointment has come out of a political scandal over the last few weeks, which has seen governor John Kitzhaber out of office. Kitzhaber became embroiled in a controversy about his fiancee's role as a consultant while working for the state.

Many have welcomed Brown's appointment as a shot in the arm for diversity in the United States.

However, Brown was criticised for endorsing Comcast's takeover of Time Warner as she's received $9,500 in campaign donations from the company, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

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