From Educator to Elected
By Bonnie Cullison (she/her) Maryland State Delegate
As a proud senior citizen, over my lifetime I have seen–and lived–a cultural evolution. I self-actualized (my word for “came out”) in the early 1970’s during a time when I was terrified to just be myself. When I started working as an educator, I legitimately feared that I would be fired if I was found out. The prospect of marriage was not even in my wildest dreams. Now, in my third career, I am serving my fourth term as a married, openly lesbian woman in the Maryland House of Delegates.
I wanted to be an astronaut. Unfortunately, my less than perfect vision quashed that rather swiftly. Still, I imagined something science-related. Instead, I found myself a public school educator, a labor official, and a politician.
I was born in Baltimore, but as the daughter of a professional firefighter who served in the U.S. Air Force, my childhood was spent in two countries in Europe and four different states. I returned to Maryland and earned bachelor’s and masters degrees in speech pathology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Since then, I have lived and worked in Montgomery County for 43 years, first as a special educator in the Montgomery County Public Schools and then as a teacher leader in the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA).
I was one of the founders of the National Education Association (NEA) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus and served on the executive committee for 8 years, working to move the NEA forward with more inclusive policies and by-laws. Resolutions, which govern the values of the organization, were changed to recognize the GLBT members and students and resulted in greater advocacy for equal rights in all of the NEA’s political work at the national level.
However, it was during the 6 years in my role as president of a local teacher’s union (MCEA), that I began to fully understand the role of government in education — and other aspects of everyday life. I learned how essential it is to have all perspectives — all voices– in elected office to make a real difference for those who are confronted by barriers at every turn. My reputation among elected officials, with whom I interacted frequently in that role, was as a reasoned and strategic leader. It was some of them who convinced me that I was not really ready for retirement and that I should run for office.
I did just that, and was elected to Maryland House of Delegates in 2010 to represent the residents of District 19 in Montgomery County. I assumed, erroneously, that I would be assigned to the committee that deals with education-related legislation, Ways and Means. To my surprise, they put me on the Health and Government Operations Committee. I didn’t know much at that time about the vast range of health related issues, but like any good educator, I learned. I am fortunate to be on a committee that prides itself on just that — constantly learning about complex health issues, meeting with constituents, advocates, professionals, and experts so that we hear directly from the very people we presume to help.
I am a proud Democrat — I have worked throughout my adult life to teach, empower and include people of all ages, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnic and economic backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities. I recognize their inherent dignity, and their right and ability to participate, contribute and thrive in society. It is my deeply held belief in equity that provides the framework for my policy decisions in Annapolis.
I have also been fortunate to be in a legislature with many other openly LGBTQ+ members and staff. I am proud of the advances that have been made over these 14 years in the recognition of our community, strengthening protections against discrimination, passing marriage equality, identifying gender identity as a protected class, trans health equity, and prohibiting conversion therapy by licensed professionals on youth. Just this session, the LGBTQ+ Caucus filed to become an officially recognized legislative caucus and actively supported or opposed legislation impacting the community. I was proud to defend the Trans Health Equity bill on gender-affirming care on the floor, which became law in July 2023. In the 2024 session I worked with a great team to pass a bill to shield medical information so Maryland will be a safe space for providers, patients, and their loved ones to have access to gender affirming treatment.
My commitment to legislative work in the House has been recognized — I was appointed a deputy majority whip in my first term, Chair of the Insurance subcommittee in my second, and last year was made Vice-Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee.
My work in the Maryland House has been both personally and professionally fulfilling for me. It is this work that helped enable the passage of Marriage Equality–in Maryland, before the Supreme Court decision–, and I was finally able to legally marry my partner Marcia after nearly 30 years together. We will celebrate our 40th anniversary–11th as legally married– this summer.
All of this to say that elections matter, and politics is personal. Ultimately all government policy decisions affect the future and the lives of those who live beyond us. To help us–elected officials– make good decisions for the future, we must hear from those who will live in it. More than ever, voting is essential. Our diverse cultures are at war with each other and we need to select leaders who can bring us together. By not voting we acquiesce to whatever happens and that can be dangerous, not just for society but for individuals. There is a literal war against transgender people in many states. This can only happen because of the people who have been elected to public office. There are people on both sides of the aisle who can be reasonable and inclusive and we need to support them. Please vote.
And consider a run for office yourself. Sixteen years ago, I would not have predicted I would hold this office–so it is indeed possible. We need young voices in these chambers. If we are truly to represent the people, we need diverse representatives with varied backgrounds. If you are considering a career in politics, I encourage you to be yourself, let people know all aspects of you — your courage, commitment, ideas and most importantly build relationships and learn from others’ thoughts and perspectives. Ultimately I think people vote for people they have faith in.
About the Series
- To check if you are able to vote, visit nass.org/can-I-vote
- To register to vote or to check your voter registration, visit vote.gov
- To find the location and time of polling sites near you, visit usa.gov/how-to-vote
In 2024, across the globe, more people are going to vote than ever before. It is vital that you stay informed, and that, when the time comes you vote. The Vote With Pride series aims to motivate people, especially young queer people, to take their life into their own hands this year by casting a ballot.
