Salt Lake City Gets First Openly Gay Mayor

On Monday, Jackie Biskupski was sworn as Salt Lake City’s 35th mayor. Biskupski is the second woman and first openly gay mayor of Salt Lake City.

Biskupski defeated two-term mayor Ralph Becker in November, winning 52 percent of the votes. After the ceremony, 500 or so supporters of the new mayor gathered yesterday outside Salt Lake’s City Hall. In her inauguration speech, Biskupski called the victory, “a historic moment for equality that no one should take lightly.”She added, “We have work to do still. We must pursue equality for everyone.” The new mayor said she takes the position with “a spirit of optimism.” Themes touched on in the inauguration speech included, “economic development, air quality, homelessness, crime and investment in the west side,” according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.  “As your new mayor,” she said, “I commit to building an inclusive and welcoming city worthy of the unique history and legacy of this place we call home.”