Javier Gonzalez, who earlier announced that he was seriously
considering vying for Mayor of Santa Fe, came out gay Wednesday in a
blog post, making him the second openly gay potential candidate for
the office behind City Councilor Patti Bushee.
“You see, when you come from a traditional family with deep
roots in this community, the process of accepting that you are gay is
complicated with fears about disappointing those you love, or
becoming disconnected with a sense of place that is as much a part of
me as my sexuality,” Gonzalez wrote at the website of Familia
es Familia, an organization which works to “build support among
Latino communities for acceptance of gay and lesbian family members.”
Gonzales told the Santa Fe New Mexican that response was
positive.
“Based on the reaction today, it reflects the beauty of our
families in Northern New Mexico to accept our sons and daughters for
who they are,” Gonzalez
said.
Gonzalez, a former Santa Fe County commissioner and state
Democratic Party chairman, currently serves on the Board of Regents
for New Mexico State University and works for a commercial property
company. His father served one term as mayor in the early 70s.