Ron Oden

Ron Oden (born March 21, 1950) is an American politician. In November 2003, he was elected the first gay African-American mayor of Palm Springs, California, after serving eight years on the city council. He became the first Black openly gay man to be a mayor of a U.S. city.[1][2][3][4] His ground breaking election opened a door and: he was also "the first gay African-American elected to lead a California city."[upper-alpha 1] The community's outlook and fortune was transformed. The Palm Spring City Council made history once again: in December 2017, Palm Springs elected "America's first all-LGBTQ city council."[2][4][6]

Ron Oden
19th Mayor of Palm Springs
In office December 1, 2003 – December 5, 2007
Preceded by	Will Kleindienst
Succeeded by	Steve Pougnet
Personal details
Born	March 21, 1950
Political party	Democratic
Children	2

Biography

Early Life and Education

Oden was born on March 21, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Los Angeles, California. He attended Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History, Sociology, and Theology. He also went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Theology at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Ethnic Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY.[7] He is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister, who resigned shortly before entering politics.[8]

Politics

In 1990, Oden moved to Palm Springs, California to begin teaching at the College of the Desert as an adjunct Sociology instructor. Concern about educational and social issues motivated Oden to enter politics, and in 1995, he was elected to the Palm Springs City Council.[7]

In 2000, Oden ran for Congress on a limited budget, capturing 38% of the vote.[9]

In 2003, Oden was elected Mayor of Palm Springs. As the first openly gay African American mayor elected in California, Oden's election made global news headlines.[9] Oden's tenure as mayor was notable for his work promoting organizations focused on diversity, including the Palm Springs Human Rights Task Force, the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, and the Palm Springs branch of the NAACP.[10] Oden also brought in the Palm Springs City Council's first gay majority.[11]

Palm Springs saw historical growth during Oden's tenure, with the city's budget doubling during his term. Oden saw success in building Palm Springs as a destination resort city, helped by a new concourse being added to the Palm Springs International Airport in 2007 and new amenities like the Palm Springs Skatepark, considered one of California's best skateparks.[12][13]

In June 2006, he ran for[14] and lost in the Democratic primary for a seat in the California State Assembly by less than 100 votes.[15]

In 2007, he was honored with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.[16]

In 2015, eight years after the completion of his initial stint as mayor, Oden once again ran for mayor of Palm Springs.[17][18] He campaigned on a platform calling for governmental transparency and restoration of trust and faith in city leadership. He wanted elected officials to disclose their income and its sources, a response to allegations of "conflict of interest between the current mayor Steve Pougnet and a private developer." Oden wanted to restore the proper course of conduct to investors and entrepreneurs: "Businessmen are investors in our city. They’re not bad people but I think people get stirred and go the wrong way.” Oden also wanted to assuage the “eroding relationship” with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and address the status of a west campus for College of the Desert. He used to teach there, and it disappeared without much discussion. Finally, Oden acknoweledged that he had been out of politics for several years, and said he "hopes to channel Frank Bogert," the city's first directly elected mayor, who successfully "came back for seconds" almost three decades later.[19]

Oden lost the election to Robert Moon.[20]

Personal Life and Legacy

Oden is openly bisexual and is the father of two daughters, Brooke and Brittany Oden. He is also the grandfather of two granddaughters and two grandsons.[9]

In recognition of his role in the Palm Springs community as the first openly gay African American elected as mayor of a California city, and 30 year of public service, Oden was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Great Palm Springs Pride at the 2019 Pride Honors Awards.[5][21]

References

Notes

1. "The awards are presented annually to individuals who bring awareness to and further the causes of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. This year's six recipients include a former mayor, a teacher, a retired Army Master Sergeant, and a veteran drag performer."[5]

Citations

1. Belleville, David (June 26, 2020). "These Black, LGBTQ Americans helped move the Pride movement forward". wtsp.com. WTSP. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
2. Aviles, Gwen; Jao, Ariel (February 13, 2020). "16 queer black pioneers who made history". NBC News. Retrieved 2020-09-02. Following Oden's historic election 17 years ago, the Palm Spring City Council made history once again: In December 2017, it became America's first all-LGBTQ city council.
3. Devine, Karen (July 9, 2020). "Palm Springs' first openly gay Black mayor discusses changes city should make". KESQ-TV. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
4. Bridges, Stephen (October 13, 2017). "Out in the Sun: Palm Springs has transformed into an LGBTQ destination spurred by political change and a hot real estate market". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
5. Blueskye, Brian (September 3, 2019). "Greater Palm Springs Pride announces 2019 award recipients". Palm Springs Desert Sun. Retrieved September 7, 2020. Greater Palm Springs Pride has announced the recipients of the 2019 Pride Honors Awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Ron Oden, who served as mayor of Palm Springs from 2003 to 2007. Oden was the first openly gay mayor to be elected in Palm Springs, and also the first gay African-American elected to lead a California city.
6. Jao, Ariel (February 26, 2018). "Black History Month: 11 black LGBTQ trailblazers who made history". NBC News. Retrieved September 9, 2020. In celebration of Black History Month, we honor black LGBTQ pioneers of the past and the present and celebrate their oft-forgotten contributions.
7. Ito, Gail Arlene (January 29, 2008). "Ron Oden (1950- ) •". Black Past. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
8. Desert Mayor Seeks Assembly Seat « Ron Oden Media
9. Letellier, Patrick (February 17, 2004). "Making gay black history: Ron Oden was no stranger to success when his historic election as Palm Springs mayor made international headline". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 2005-01-29.
10. "Event Calendar | City of Palm Springs". www.palmspringsca.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
11. Panzar, Javier (November 15, 2017). "Palm Springs elects an all-LGBTQ City Council, showing the power of gay politics". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
12. "Palm Springs 75th Anniversary - History Palm Springs International Airport". Palm Springs Life. 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
13. "Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism". Visit Palm Springs, CA. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
14. Jonathan Abrams, "Desert Mayor Runs for Assembly," Los Angeles Times, May 8, 2006, image 6 Interview and photograph. via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-10-11. Retrieved September 29, 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. Palm Springs Walk of Stars: By Date Dedicated
17. Marx, Jesse. "Ron Oden returns to politics". Desert Sun. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
18. Boegl, Jimmy (September 27, 2015). "Candidate Q&A: Palm Springs Mayoral Candidate Ron Oden". CV Independent. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
19. KESQ News Team (August 13, 2015). "Former PS Mayor Ron Oden speaks out about seeking 2nd term". KESQ-TV. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
20. Moon, Robert. "Mayor Moon bio with Photo".
21. Staff Report (September 3, 2019). "Honoring With Pride Greater Palm Springs Pride recognizes recipients of its 2019 Pride Honors Awards for furthering LGBTQ causes in the Coachella Valley". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved September 8, 2020.