31 Facts About Cal Anderson

Calvin Bruce Anderson was an American military officer and politician who served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 43rd district in 1995.

Cal Anderson became involved in politics at a young age working for his father's city council campaign and Warren Magnuson's Senate campaign.

Cal Anderson came out as gay to his parents during his time in the military.

Cal Anderson worked for multiple Seattle city officials and held positions in the Young Democrats and Washington State Democratic Party.

Cal Anderson briefly served in the state senate, where he was Assistant Majority Whip, until his death from AIDS in 1995.

Cal Anderson's memorial was attended by thousands and a park in Seattle was later named after him.

Calvin Bruce Anderson was born in Seattle, Washington, on May 2,1948, to Robert and Alice Anderson.

Cal Anderson volunteered for Warren Magnuson's campaign for a seat in the United States Senate while in middle school.

Cal Anderson worked for his father's successful campaign for a seat on the Tukwila, Washington, city council which he won by four votes.

Cal Anderson served in the United States Army and worked as a court reporter for the 23rd Infantry Division.

Cal Anderson stated that he was once caught "in the act" but was only given a short reprimand, with the commander stating "Now, I don't care what people do in their own time, but the Army doesn't feel that way, so in the future, be more discreet".

Cal Anderson started working for Jeanette Williams, the chair of the King County Democratic Party after graduating from high school.

Cal Anderson worked for George Benson, a member of the Seattle city council, from 1975 to 1983, as an administrative assistant.

Cal Anderson became an appointments secretary for Mayor Charles Royer in 1983, and worked for him until 1987.

Cal Anderson won the most votes, fifty-one out of one hundred sixteen, at the precinct representatives meeting to recommend a person to fill Niemi's vacant seat.

Cal Anderson was one of the three nominees, alongside Harvey Muggy and Gene Peterson, considered to replace Niemi.

Cal Anderson was selected to fill the vacancy, becoming the first openly gay member of the Washington State Legislature.

Cal Anderson defeated Mobley in the primary and defeated Republican nominee Lee Carter in the general election.

Cal Anderson defeated Republican nominee Mike Meenen in the 1992 election.

Cal Anderson ran for a seat in the state senate after Niemi chose to not seek reelection in 1994; he won the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican nominee Meenen in the general election.

Cal Anderson replaced Representative Mike Todd as chair of the State Government committee after Todd unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the state senate.

Cal Anderson was appointed to serve as vice-chair of the Ecology and Parks, and the Law and Justice committees in the state senate.

Cal Anderson served as the keynote speaker of the third March for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride parade in 1994.

Cal Anderson was mostly absent from the state senate due to having non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Cal Anderson died from AIDS on August 4,1995, at his home in Seattle.

Cal Anderson was discovered by his partner Eric Ishino who later discovered a large file of death threats made against Anderson.

Cal Anderson proposed legislation in the state house that would prohibit the execution of intellectually disabled people which were defined as people with an IQ equal to or below seventy.

Cal Anderson proposed legislation to allow the prescription of lethal drugs by doctors to patients who were terminally ill.

Cal Anderson sponsored legislation in 1991, which would have Washington use a preference primary for president starting in 1992.

Cal Anderson sponsored legislation in the state house which would allow gay people to file complaints of housing, hiring, or insurance discrimination to the Washington Human Rights Commission.

Cal Anderson stated that a ballot proposition threatened academic freedom after it was amended to prohibit public colleges from "teaching or promoting homosexuality as a healthy lifestyle".