11 Facts About Allan Spear

Allan Henry Spear was an American politician and educator from Minnesota who served almost thirty years in the Minnesota Senate, including nearly a decade as President of the Senate.

Allan Spear was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1972, representing a liberal Minneapolis district centered on the University of Minnesota.

Allan Spear served a total of 28 years in the Senate, retiring in 2000.

Allan Spear was President of the Senate from 1992 to 2000.

Allan Spear represented two different districts in Minneapolis during his political career.

Allan Spear came out on December 9,1974, and was one of the first openly gay Americans serving in elected office.

Allan Spear's coming out drew national attention, being featured in The New York Times amongst others.

Allan Spear was instrumental in passing the 1993 Minnesota Human Rights Act, which guaranteed protection from discrimination in education, employment, and housing to LGBT Minnesotans.

Allan Spear gained the public support of the leader of the Senate Republicans, Lutheran minister Dean E Johnson, who gave a speech supporting the bill on the Senate floor.

Allan Spear died on October 11,2008, from complications following heart surgery earlier that week.

Allan Spear was survived by his partner of 26 years, Junjiro Tsuji, who died on March 13,2019.