State Sen. Mark Leno is a high-profile Democrat from San Francisco who is passionate about equality toward all people.
What makes him a well-known legislator is that he's openly gay and is an outspoken gay rights advocate.
Subscription Required
An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.
Login
Online services
-
1
E-edition$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel but want to read the e-edition of the newspaper, please chhose this option.
-
2
Lodinews.com Subscription$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view more than 20 articles per month, please choose this option.
Current print subscribers
-
1
Businesses with Print SubscriptionsNo additional cost.
If you are a business with a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
-
2
Current Print SubscribersNo additional cost.
If you are a current print subscriber to the Lodi News-Sentinel (and are not subscribed as a business), please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
You must login to view the full content on this page.
Thank you for reading 20 free articles on our site. You can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 20 free articles, or you can purchase a subscription at this time and continue to enjoy valuable local news and information. If you need help, please contact our office at 209-369-2761. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.
Login
Online services
-
1
E-edition$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel but want to read the e-edition of the newspaper, please chhose this option.
-
2
Lodinews.com Subscription$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view more than 20 articles per month, please choose this option.
Current print subscribers
-
1
Businesses with Print SubscriptionsNo additional cost.
If you are a business with a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
-
2
Current Print SubscribersNo additional cost.
If you are a current print subscriber to the Lodi News-Sentinel (and are not subscribed as a business), please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.

Kurt Roberts posted at 3:22 pm on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
My theory is that with the numbers of people either being born gay or discovering their "gayness" later in life, increasing in alarming numbers, the human race may indeed be evolving into a third gender.
Manuel Martinez posted at 2:59 pm on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
My favorite part:
"Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?"
2011 May 5-8 Should be valid: 53. Should not be valid: 45. No Opinion: 3.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/1651/gay-lesbian-rights.aspx
Robert Chapman posted at 2:29 pm on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
WARNER SUNDERSON posted, "The majority of the population supports equal rights for the LBGT community and like myself and my family, turns out to demonstrate their support."
The MAJORITY Mr. Sunderson? Your assumption, I am sure. Cite proof from reliable, unbiased sources to back up your claim.
Darrell Baumbach posted at 10:32 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
As far as San Francisco, I avoid going there and only go if I use their airport. I feel bad going there as I think they treat the homeless and locals in a crewl way. I think the city of San Francisco behaves as bullies of the west in their economic blackmail of other cities. I prefer to spend my money in cities that demonstrate compassion for the poor and its local citizens.
Simon Birch posted at 10:23 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
Everyone:
Thanks for the good comments so far, and for staying on topic and keeping the debate civil. Let's try to avoid personal attacks.
Darrell Baumbach posted at 10:22 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
Ms Bobin stated... Lodi has NO bigotry, right?
Every city has people Ms Bobin.... where you find people you find bigotry... However, I do not find them around " every corner" as you said you do.
I think it is healthy and productive to have a dialogue on these isses. It is a shame that some people try to make others look like bad persons simply because they have concerns.
Warner Sunderson posted at 9:55 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
Where do you think I am coming from, Mr. Chapman? Have you decided that I am gay because I attended a pride parade? You would be wrong. More straight people attend the SF pride parade than gay people. It's a civic celebration enjoyed by those in all walks of life. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy the St. Patrick's Day festivities. The majority of the population supports equal rights for the LBGT community and like myself and my family, turns out to demonstrate their support.
Robert Chapman posted at 9:39 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
KEVIN, the nude and semi-nude entertainment" in LasVegas is, in effect,"pay per view". It is not foisted on innocent children. As with everything in life, adults have choices about what to see or participate in. Children in schools are subject to whatever agenda that the politicians decide they should learn. If I had children that were school age, believe me they would not be in publc schools. Not only do they do a miserable job at basic education, these types of programs certainly don't contain any educational value.
Robert Chapman posted at 9:30 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
Mr. Sunderson, now I understand where you are coming from. What YOU do in your own bedroom is your business and not necessary to "waive" in the face of the rest of the world.
Kevin Paglia posted at 9:13 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
Mr. Chapman: NEVER go the Las Vegas.
Warner Sunderson posted at 9:05 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
I wonder if you have read much about the actual wording of the legislation, Mr. Chapman. In a nutshell, the bill requires instruction and textbooks to accurately reflect the accomplishments of Native Americans, African Americans, European Americans, Asian Americans, the LGBT community, and religious minorities. This is not a curriculum to "teach" homosexual history, only an acknowledgement of the contributions of minority communities.
Warner Sunderson posted at 8:54 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
Mr. Chapman, Pride parades are held in every major US city and around the world. I attended the SF Pride events this year and did not see any naked people. There may have been a few of those types around, but I didn't see it. Several cities have nude beaches, campgrounds, etc. Is that what really bothers you about San Francisco?
Warner Sunderson posted at 8:36 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
I agree with you, Mr. Cook. Unprotected sex and sharing of needles should be avoided and are not part of a healthy lifestyle. That IS what you were referring to, wasn't it?
Robert Chapman posted at 8:35 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
WARNER SUNDERSON, I take issue with any elected official that feels it necessary to bring "homosexual history" into public classrooms. A city that allows a "parade" with nude and semi-nude (who would be arrested for indecent exposure most anywhere else) people has the morality of a slug. I realize there is a wealth of artistic and culture history and SF is a financial powerhouse, but that does not justify their proclivity to allow and promote illicit behavior.
Joanne Bobin posted at 8:24 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
And the bigots weigh in again, not to mention Mr. Cook's ignorance. What do you say, Mr. Baumbach? Lodi has NO bigotry, right?
Raymond Cook posted at 8:19 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
I don't support any lifestyle that increases the spread of Aids.
Warner Sunderson posted at 8:03 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
What is it about Mark Leno with which you take issue, Mr. Chapman? And the freak show references to San Francisco are tiresome. San Francisco, like all major urban areas, has it's share of offbeat characters. However The City is a major player in pacific rim business and banking, a tech haven, home to respected universities, the arts, and a driving force in the economy for a large portion of the state.
Robert Chapman posted at 7:34 am on Sat, Aug 20, 2011.
What else would you expect from a senator from San Franfreak-o.