Before there was Harvey Milk, there was Allan Spear. Sen. Allan Spear was one of the first openly LGBT politicians in the country having come out in 1974. The University of Minnesota will be hosting a book launch of his autobiography called Crossing the Barriers. Here’s a press release on the event:

Book launch event for Crossing the Barriers: The Autobiography of Allan H. Spear

Perhaps best known for coming out as openly gay during his first term in the Minnesota Senate, Allan Spear had a long and distinguished career as a historian and senator. He passed away in 2008, leaving his memoir slightly incomplete. A stirring afterword by John Milton completes his story, chronicling Spear’s accomplishments as a politician and activist during his final years.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6:00-8:00 pm

Hubert H. Humphrey Center Atrium
University of Minnesota
301 19th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Featuring Guest Speakers:
Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House
Scott Dibble, Minnesota State Senator
Kathleen O’Brien, Vice President, University Services, University of Minnesota
Richard Spear, brother of Allan Spear

Event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase from the University of Minnesota Bookstore.

For more information on Crossing the Barriers, visit the book’s webpage:
http://www.upress.umn.edu/Books/S/spear_crossing.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Allan H. Spear was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1972 and served for twenty-eight years, retiring in 2000. He was president of the Senate from 1993 to 2000. He was one of the first openly gay state legislators in the country, and he fought to amend Minnesota’s Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. He was associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota from 1964 to 2000 and author of Black Chicago: The Making of a Negro Ghetto, published in 1967. The Minnesota Historical Society named him one of 150 Minnesotans who shaped the state.

PRAISE FOR CROSSING THE BARRIERS:
“Crossing the Barriers reveals in intimate detail the social, political, and personal evolution of an exceptional man in transformative times. Allan Spear’s autobiography paints a vivid picture of the history he lived…and the history he made. Allan was a devoted son and partner, a gifted teacher, astute politician, skillful legislator, cherished friend and mentor, and a role model for all of us who wish to pursue the career of our dreams and be honest about who we are.”—U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin

“I join with all Minnesotans who mourn the loss of Allan Spear. His evenhandedness, command of the issues, and ability to reach across the aisle and work with colleagues of both parties were legendary and should inspire us all. He was a man of great courage who served as one of this nation’s first openly gay legislators.”—Senator Barack Obama, October 2008