Calvin “Cal” Anderson (1948-1995) was a progressive politician in Washington. Born in Seattle, he became involved in politics early, working for political campaigns beginning in middle school. After high school, he served as a court reporter for the US Army in Vietnam and received two Bronze Stars. After returning to Seattle, Anderson became more involved in politics, working as an aide to a city councilmember until 1983, then for mayor Charles Royer. In 1987, Anderson became Washington’s first openly gay lawmaker when he was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives for the 43rd District. He was reelected three times, serving until 1994, when he won a seat in the Washington State Senate. During his time in office, Anderson worked for stricter gun control, more low-income housing, a state income tax, and extending Washington’s civil rights protection law to the gay and lesbian community. In February 1995, Anderson announced that he had AIDS and was being treated for complications related to the disease. Cal Anderson died of AIDS complications in August of that year. A park in Capitol Hill was renamed Cal Anderson Park in his honor in 2003.

This image shows Cal Anderson being sworn into the Washington House of Representatives on November 9, 1987. Superior Court Judge John W. Riley, at right, administers the oath of office.

Caption information source: “Anderson, Cal (1948-1995)”, by Kate Kershner, HistoryLink, retrieved from https://www.historylink.org/File/10265