Corey Johnson (politician)

Corey Johnson
Member of the New York City Council from the 3rd District
Assumed office
January 1, 2014
Preceded by Christine Quinn
Personal details
Born (1982-04-28) April 28, 1982
Beverly, Massachusetts
Political party Democratic
Website Official website

Corey Johnson (born April 28, 1982) is the Council member for the 3rd District of the New York City Council. He is a Democrat. The district includes Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, the West Village, and parts of Flatiron, SoHo and the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

Life and career

Johnson was born in Beverly, Massachusetts. A long time community and LGBT rights activist, Johnson received national attention for coming out as gay in 2000 as captain of his high school football team at Masconomet Regional High School.[1] In 2013, Johnson came out as HIV-positive.[2]

It was activism that brought him into politics and New York City government, and formerly Johnson was a contributor and the political editor for Towleroad. Formerly, Johnson served as the Chairperson of Community Board 4. His work on the board ranged from negotiating permanent affordable housing for residents to securing educational scholarships for children. Johnson has also worked in the real estate industry, and was the political editor for Towleroad.[3]

Johnson currently lives in Chelsea, where he has been a resident for over a decade.

New York City Council

With Christine Quinn term limited and running for Mayor, Johnson was elected in November 2013 with 86% of the vote[4] and assumed office on January 1, 2014.

On Council, Johnson is Chair of the Health Committee, and also serves on the Contracts, Finance, General Welfare, Waterfronts and Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services committees. Johnson is also Co-Chair of the Manhattan Delegation with Council Member Margaret Chin and is a member of the LGBT Caucus and Progressive Caucus.

In 2014, Corey introduced legislation that would ease the requirements for individuals to change their gender on their birth certificates in New York City.[5] On December 8, 2014, City Council passed the bill, making the city’s policy one of the most liberal in the country.[6]

Election history

New York City Council: District 3
Election Candidate Party Votes Pct Candidate Party Votes Pct
2013 Primary election Corey Johnson Dem 12,538 63.28% Yetta Kurland Dem 7,275 32.72%
2013 General election Corey Johnson Dem 23,608 86.25% Bryan A. Cooper Rep 3,691 13.75%

References

  1. ↑ Cooper, Anderson (2000-05-14). "YouTube". A Life Rooted in Courage. ABC. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  2. ↑ GINIA BELLAFANTE (May 3, 2013). "Out, but Not About That". New York Times.
  3. ↑ Andy Towle (September 10, 2013). "COREY JOHNSON DECLARES VICTORY IN NYC CITY COUNCIL RACE". Towleroad.
  4. ↑ "Election 2013". New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "NY moves to ease gender change on birth certificates".
  6. ↑ "Council passes bill to let transgender New Yorkers change birth certificate without surgery".
Political offices
Preceded by
Christine Quinn		 New York City Council, 3rd District
2014–present 		Incumbent
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