About Cal Anderson

Calvin “Cal” Anderson (1948-1995) was the first openly gay Washington State elected official, serving in the state’s House of Representatives, and Senate, from 1987 to 1995. A decorated US army veteran, Cal was a passionate advocate for social justice. He fought for issues such as low-income housing, gun control, and civil rights, and he led the fight for laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. He died in 1995 of complications from AIDS, a year after being elected state Senator.

A vibrant history of Cal Anderson’s life is told in this essay written for HistoryLink in Seattle.