Michigan, three local queer candidates fight for better water and accountability”/>
Three queer candidates are shaking up the political landscape in Lodi Township, Michigan, as they campaign for city council positions. Among them is Eric Roberts, a veteran political organizer and former school board member, running for city clerk.
Stay up to date with the latest LGBTQ+ news and policies. Subscribe to the My Gay Prides e-newsletter.
Her husband, Finn Roberts, is running for township trustee, as is Leslie Blackburn, a local environmental activist. The three campaign not only on issues that primarily affect LGBTQ+ residents, but also on broader concerns that affect all residents, such as water quality, environmental preservation and municipal transparency, whilst facing the added challenge of being open about their identity in a rural area. and often conservative.
Eric Roberts, reflecting on his decision to run, said the tipping point came after attending several town meetings in which local water quality issues were sidelined. “We have poor water quality,” Eric Roberts said, “and no one was talking about it. Finn and I felt we needed to take action by running for office to demand accountability. Our platform focuses on collaboration between local authorities to improve basic services, which we believe have been neglected for too long.
Leslie Blackburn, the third queer candidate in their coalition, is a longtime advocate for environmental justice. Blackburn created the group Livable Lodi, which focuses on water testing and conservation initiatives, and their decision to run came after realizing they were not alone in their desire for change. Blackburn joined forces with the Roberts couple, forming a collective of LGBTQ+ candidates committed to bringing new perspectives to the township board. “It definitely helps to run with other queer people,” Eric Roberts said, emphasizing the importance of solidarity, especially in small, close-knit communities where LGBTQ+ candidates are still rare.
The campaign was not without its challenges. Eric Roberts, who was elected to a school board at 18, is no stranger to the kind of backlash LGBTQ+ leaders can face. “I had people call me a pedophile during public comment sessions,” he recalls, referring to his time on the board during the COVID era, when tensions were particularly high. For him, these attacks were personal and deeply hurtful, but they were also a reminder that allies must step up their efforts. “I can’t just speak out,” he stressed, explaining that community members who are respected and trusted must be the ones who oppose bigoted remarks.
Despite the underlying biases, the Roberts-Blackburn team received some support from residents, particularly during door-to-door canvassing. “On the doors, it’s pretty positive,” Eric Roberts said, although he remains aware of the rumors in town. There have been instances, particularly on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, where opponents have resorted to stereotyping, accusing candidates of promoting an LGBTQ+ “agenda” to bring “flags and parades” to Canton Township. Lodi. The source of these comments is likely their opponent, Christina Smith, the current township clerk, whom Eric Roberts is challenging. He pointed out that these types of attacks are not only hurtful but also potentially illegal, as Michigan law prohibits the use of public resources to campaign against opponents.
Running for office as an openly queer candidate in Lodi Township is both a personal and political act for Roberts and Blackburn. While their campaign focuses on water, environmental issues and responsibility, they are also helping to pave the way for greater LGBTQ+ representation in local politics. They understand that being queer and running for office in a small community can lead to unwarranted criticism, but as Roberts pointed out, “it’s important to be present and visible.” Through their applications, they hope to show Lodi Township that leadership is about more than labels: it’s about community, integrity and a desire to solve real issues that affect residents’ lives.
