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discrimination on my part is absurd..." and would claim that the complaint was blackmail. According to the former staffer, Rev. Dorinda Henry, Harris threatened her if she chose to file a complaint by saying, "I'll destroy you. You won't be able to do anything in this city," Henry would be fired from her position after filing the sexual harassment complaint with the city. In a 2018 interview, Harris would continue to deny the sexual harassment allegations stating, "I've never sexually harassed anyone, and certainly not my interns".
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In 1994, an intern turned paid staffer of Harris accused the councilmember of sexual harassment and creating a toxic work environment. At the time, Harris denied the allegations stating, "Anyone who knows me or has dealt with me...knows that any rumor, innuendo, claim or suggestion of harassment or
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While in office, Harris chaired the council's
Housing, Health, Human Services and Education Committee and served on the Transportation and Utilities Committees. She co-sponsored and supported several pro-LGBT legislation and would help raise over $ 1 million to fight anti-gay ordinances in the
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Although her historic status as a triple minority, being a black woman who was a lesbian, was an asset during her election and could be considered a hindrance while in office. Harris would state, "My triple minority status proved to be controversial while I was in office, but it gave me a unique
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Harris published her book, Changing the World from the Inside Out: Politics for the New
Millennium, in 2010. She started her own business, Seattle: Spirit Mind Body Educational Resources, focusing on teaching core skills for living consciously and manifesting intended results.
256:. Harris would have some missteps in the election, like not mentioning she was a lesbian when attempting to get the endorsement of the Harvey Muggy Democrats, a gay political organization. Harris would lose in a landslide to Conlin, 66% to 34%.
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221:, who was the first Black person to be elected to the Seattle City Council. Due to health complications related to diabetes, and long hospitalizations, Smith was unable to run an effect campaign against Harris.
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In the
November general election, Harris won in a landslide with 65% of the vote compared to Smith's 35%. Harris would be the first elected black lesbian to elected office.
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perspective on civil rights," and "I had greater expectations put on me, yet who I am as a minority has nothing to do as to why I want to be on the council."
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During her first election and tenure in office, Harris was in a domestic partnership with Judith
Scalise, but it ended after her 1995 election loss.
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state of
Washington. Harris was also instrumental in adding 50 additional low-income housing units at Sand Point.
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from 1992 to 1996. She was the first out black lesbian elected to public office in the United States.
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161:(born February 27, 1957) is an American activist and politician who served as a member of the
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with a degree in Human
Factors Engineering (Ergonomic Engineering) and later earned her
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In 1995, Harris ran for reelection and her major opponent was John E. Manning, a
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sergeant. In the general election, Manning would defeat Harris, 54% to 46%.
563:"Harris: Ex-Aide's complaint is revenge- Fired employee alleges harassment"
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In 1997, Harris ran again for city council against a YMCA director
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African-American city council members in
Washington (state)
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696:Politicians from Newark, New Jersey
671:American LGBTQ city council members
396:Nelson, Robert (October 20, 1997).
661:African-American women in politics
561:Lewis, Peter (February 17, 1995).
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37:Sherry Harris, Seattle Pride 1995
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656:African-American LGBTQ people
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504:"The Return of John Manning"
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336:. Black American Web
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80:Succeeded by
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588:"About SMB"
428:HistoryLink
198:LGBT rights
68:Preceded by
610:Categories
594:August 29,
572:August 29,
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281:References
118:New Jersey
104:1957-02-27
219:Sam Smith
134:Education
124:Residence
73:Sam Smith
58:In office
228:Tenure
196:, and
114:Newark
590:. SMB
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98:Born
146:MBA
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