Oregon nonchalantly swears in nation's first bisexual governor


On Wednesday, Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown (D) was sworn in as governor, following the resignation of John Kitzhaber amid an ethics scandal. Brown, 54, was a state legislator for 17 years before being twice elected secretary of state — Oregon doesn't have a lieutenant governor, so that put her next in line for the top job. And she is now the first openly bisexual governor in U.S. history.
"Advocates for the LGBTQ community — lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning — cheered the milestone," says Maria L. La Ganga at the Los Angeles Times. "Libertarian-leaning Oregon — liberal in Portland, conservative elsewhere — mostly yawned." Though Brown, who is married to a man, has sparked some interest in the often-overlooked "B" in LGBTQ.
“I don't think anybody cares” that Brown is bisexual, Bob Moore, a Republican pollster, tells the LA Times. “The whole thing seems irrelevant to me. But what does it mean to be a bisexual and married? What does that mean?” Watch Brown take the oath of office below. —Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Full-body scans: more panic than panacea?
The Explainer Hailed as the 'future of medicine' by some, but not all experts are convinced
By The Week UK
-
The Last of Us, series two: 'post-apocalyptic television at its peak'
The Week Recommends Second instalment of hit show is just as 'gutsy' and 'thoughtful' as the first
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
Everything you need to know about your P45
The Explainer The document from HMRC is vital when moving jobs
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans