Battle for Pennsylvania

I'm co-hosting a fundraiser for PA State Rep Candidate Kevin Lee tonight! Kevin is the tall bald bear in the photo.


Kevin Lee
Candidate for State Representative
163rd District, Pennsylvania

Looked upon as a rising star in Pennsylvania Democratic politics, Kevin Lee was appointed to the Lansdowne Borough Council in 2004 and was reelected in 2005. He was immediately approached to run for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. Lee would be the first openly LGBT person to serve in the PA State Legislature, and with rampant anti-gay legislators fighting to advance an agenda, Lee’s voice would serve as an effective equalizer.
During his tenure on the Lansdowne Borough Council, Lee passed one of Pennsylvania’s first domestic partnership benefit programs for borough employees. He is also a Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute Harvard Fellow, where he impressed several colleagues at the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program.
While the current incumbent has been a member of the State House since 1978, his antiquated ideas and leadership no longer reflect the best interests of his district. As a health care worker, Lee recognizes the hardships that working families face to make ends meet and still obtain affordable health care for their children. There have been rumors that the current legislator will retire but we must make sure that Kevin has substantial funds heading into this election cycle and ensure he is able to get his message out proving he is the best person to represent PA’s 163rd Legislative District.
Contribute today to a well developed campaign plan that is a rare opportunity to elect PA’s first openly LGBT legislator.

Penn Relays

My Penn Relays debut was more nerve-racking than any other running races that I had done. I was sharing the track with some of the greatest runners at high school, college, and professional level. It was my first time ever racing on track. It was the first time I raced for only a mile.

My splits were very revealing
75
89
95
89

Mile = 5:48

I started out fast. I had a great first lap but couldn't sustain the pace. My third lap was rough, and I barely recovered enough to bring it home. On a good note, I didn't trip on the track and I held on to the baton. My team didn't finish last!

2006: Year in Review

Let's wrap it up. 2006 was good to me. I was given many opportunies to pursuit many of my dreams. I built on my strengths, overcame some of my fears, and had a ball or two.


Photo copyrighted by Mike LaMonaca

Road Races

Marathon: six races in six states, three personal records, two races in eight days. My personal favorite marathon race in 2006 was the Chicago Gay Games Marathon where I ran in circles looking at other hot gay men.
Other road races: One 5K in which I finished dead last, two 10K, and a half marathon. My overall best result was the Philadelphia Distance Run in which I placed 1,176 out of 11,119 finishers.

Soccer Tournaments

Keystone Classic: my rare participation in an indoors soccer tournament. Someone on the team gave us the flu after the trip to Lancaster, PA.
Chicago Gay Games: Amazing time bonding with other Philadelphia and Washington DC players. I played strong the whole week, but missed the penalty kick shoot-out and got my team eliminated from the tournament.
Pumpkin Patch Tournament: We flopped. I sucked.

New Adventures

I got involved with politics and helped dumped Senator Rick Santorum. Rock climbing is once again a part of my workout.
I joined the Philadelphia FINS Aquatic Club, and swim with the team twice a week. I'm the slowest swimmer on the team, but I still got myself elected to serve on the FINS executive board.

New Toys
I got almost everything I wanted: iPod Video and a black MacBook, both of which I use every day. I also acquired tons of sports equipment and accessories: Garmin ForeRunner 305 GPS device, a road bike, four pairs of running shoes, road bike shoes, rock climbing shoes and harness, triathlon suit, four pairs of googles, two wetsuits, and six Speedo swimsuit. I also got about 20 t-shirts which I didn't directly purchase. They were mostly from road races that I participated. I plan to give most of these cotton t-shirts away. Any takers?

Pop culture

The movie I enjoyed most this year was "A History of Violence". Favorite theater production was the old Broadway song-and-dance "42nd St." The only book I read cover-to-cover was "Inside Out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock". TV shows I watched regularly were "Desperate Housewives" and "Survivor". My favorite blog was Diminishing Returns.

People in My Life

I'm grateful to be surrounded by smart, beautiful, passionate, talented and funny people such as:
The one whom I talk to every day about everything. He's my workout buddy, travel partner, and even shopping buddy.
The one who hosts fabulous parties and makes sure I am a part of all his events
The one who puts me on a Jeep in a gay pride parade
The one who got me to join the gay swim team (and passed away a few weeks ago)

The one who strong-armed me to volunteer for political campaigns to support Bob Casey, Ed Rendell, and Pat Murphy
The ones who got me on two boards of directors
The one who ran three marathon races with me and keeps inspiring me to keep running
The ones who welcome me to their FINS family

The ones who came to my birthday party
The ones who contributed to my fundraise for the Human Righs Campaign
The ones who came to visit me (and forced me to clean my apartment)
The ones who made me a part of their lives