Brian Sims facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Sims
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Sims in 2021
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| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 182nd district |
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| In office January 1, 2013 – November 30, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Babette Josephs |
| Succeeded by | Ben Waxman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Brian Kendall Sims
September 16, 1978 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Alex Drakos (m. 2024) |
| Education | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (BS) Michigan State University (JD) |
Brian Kendall Sims (born September 16, 1978) is an American politician, activist, and lawyer. He is a member of the Democratic Party. From 2013 to 2022, he served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 182nd district. Sims is also known as a lawyer and a supporter of LGBT civil rights. He made history by becoming the first openly gay person elected to a state legislature in Pennsylvania. After leaving public office in 2022, Sims has worked in public policy and for non-profit groups.
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Early Life and Education
Brian Sims was born in Washington, D.C.. His parents were both Army officers. He grew up in many different states, living in seventeen places before his family settled in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s.
Sims graduated from Downingtown High School in 1997. He then went to Bloomsburg University, finishing in 2001. While at Bloomsburg, he was a co-captain of the university's football team in 2000. He was also recognized as a scholar athlete. During that football season, Brian Sims told his teammates that he was gay. This made him the only openly gay college football captain in NCAA history at the time.
In 2004, Sims earned a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. He also completed a special program for government leaders at Harvard University in 2013.
Career and Public Service
Before becoming a politician, Brian Sims worked as the president of Equality Pennsylvania. This group works for equal rights for all people. He also led the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP). In 2010, he was named one of the top LGBT attorneys in the United States.
Sims also worked for the Philadelphia Bar Association. There, he helped with issues like fair pay for men and women and rules to protect the environment.
Serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Making History in Pennsylvania Politics
In 2011, Brian Sims decided to run for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He won the election in 2012. This was a big moment because Sims became the first openly gay person ever elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He officially started his term on January 1, 2013.
As a state representative, Sims worked on important laws. He introduced a bill to make same-sex marriage legal in Pennsylvania. He also worked on a bill with another representative to help close the pay gap between men and women. Sims also supported a law to stop the practice of conversion therapy. This is a harmful practice that tries to change a person's sexual orientation.
Sims also reached out to national lawmakers. He encouraged U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. to support same-sex marriage. He also worked with activists to encourage Senator Pat Toomey to vote for a law that would protect people from discrimination at work.
Working on Important Issues
Brian Sims served on several important committees in the House. These included committees for Commerce, Human Services, and State Government. He also led the Human Services Subcommittee on Mental Health.
During his time in office, Sims sponsored many bills and resolutions. These are ideas for new laws or official statements. He worked to replace Pennsylvania's system for choosing judges with a system based on merit, meaning judges would be chosen for their skills and experience.
Later Political Campaigns
In 2016, Sims ran for re-election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and won.
In 2021, Brian Sims announced he would run for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. He ran in the 2022 election but finished in second place in the primary election.
Current Work in Public Policy
After leaving public office in 2022, Brian Sims continued his work in public policy. He became a Managing Director at Out Leadership in New York City. This organization works to support LGBTQ+ leaders in business.
In 2023, he joined the Board of Trustees for the Tyler Clementi Foundation. This foundation works to end bullying and promote kindness. In 2024, Sims became the CEO of Agenda PAC. This group helps support LGBTQ+ political candidates.
Personal Life
Brian Sims became engaged to Alex Drakos in October 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Brian Sims para niños
- Equality Pennsylvania
- Homosexuality in American football
