Gavin Newsome

2009 John Fryer Award Recipient

Lecture Title: Unknown (cancelled)

The Honorable Gavin Newsom is Mayor of San Francisco. He was first elected mayor in 2003 l when he became the youngest person elected to that office in 100 years. He was re-elected in 2007. Newsom attended Santa Clara University, graduating in 1989 with a B.A. in political science. Prior to entering politics, he started the Plump Jack Wine shop and built it into a multimillion-dollar business. In 1996, Mayor Newsom was appointed by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to the city's parking and traffic commission. Voters elected Newsom to the city's board of supervisors in 1998 and re-elected him in 2000 and 2002. As a supervisor, Newsom focused on combating homelessness. Mayor Newsom has fought for fiscal responsibility and less bureaucracy in government and champions environmental concerns, stem cell research, and universal health care. After only 36 days as mayor, Mayor Newsom gained worldwide attention when he granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples. For taking the courageous move of authorizing same-sex civil marriages that has helped his state and the country take steps toward equality for same-sex couples, he is being recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.