Minnesota Rep. Karen Clark, First Openly Lesbian State Legislator, Dies at 80

Former Minnesota state Rep. Karen Clark, a fighter for the LGBTQ community, dies

Clark was first elected as a state representative in 1980, and retired as the longest-serving openly lesbian state legislator in the nation.

Minnesota Rep. Karen Clark, first openly lesbian state legislator, dies at 80

Former House Representative Karen Clark, who made history in the state for her activism and being the first openly gay legislator, died on Tuesday at the age of 80.

Karen Clark, the first lesbian to serve in the Minnesota House, has died at 80

Karen Clark was a key figure in legalizing gay marriage and served in the House until 2019.