Jackie Biskupski, mayor of Salt Lake City and a lesbian mom, got married yesterday to her fiancée, Betty Iverson. Both women were mothers prior to their relationship.
Biskupski adopted her son in 2009 as a single, out parent, as a profile last year in the Deseret News explained. Iverson is an executive for Johnson & Johnson, a former Utah state representative, and herself has an adopted son. The two were wed by Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Utah native, and a lesbian mom as well.
Biskupski wrote on her Facebook page (click through for photos):
Yesterday our family was brought together by marriage. We have always been bonded by love, but now we are joined by law. As our dear friend Kate Kendell highlighted while performing the ceremony, our family and all families like ours have come so far to make joyous days like this possible. We truly are stronger together. ‪#‎love‬
While I don’t want to reduce Biskupski’s identity solely to “lesbian-mom mayor,” I do think her identity as a lesbian, woman, and mom is significant. It brings new perspectives to the largely straight, male world of politics, and shows that being a mom (coupled or single) doesn’t necessarily mean giving up a high-profile career.
Congratulations to the whole family!
