Wikipedia

Roberta Achtenberg

Roberta Achtenberg (born July 20, 1950) is an American attorney and civil rights advocate who served as a commissioner on the United States Commission on Civil Rights.[2] She was previously assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, becoming the first openly lesbian or gay public official in the United States whose appointment to a federal position was confirmed by the United States Senate.[3] This confirmation hearing garnered a lot of publicity, opposition, and support.[4][5]

Roberta Achtenberg
An official portrait of Roberta Achtenberg from the U.S Commission on Civil Rights
Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
In office
1991–1993
Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
In office
1993–1995
PresidentBill Clinton
Succeeded bySusan Leal
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
In office
1995–1997
PresidentBill Clinton
Member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights
In office
2011–2016
PresidentBarack Obama
Personal details
Born (1950-07-20) July 20, 1950 (age 74)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)David Chavkin, separated
Domestic partner(s)Mary Morgan,[1] separated
Children1
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley (BA)
University of Utah (JD)

Achtenberg went to school at different branches of the University of California and later attended the University of Utah.[6] Before her political career, she worked as an attorney, director, educator, and founded organizations.[6][7][8] Achtenberg is married with a son, and has been locally and nationally recognized with many awards and has made many publications throughout her career.[9][1]

Personal life

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Early life

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Achtenberg's father was Jewish and immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union, while her mother was from Quebec.[1] Both parents had minimal formal education.[1][10] They owned a grocery store in Los Angeles and raised Roberta and her three siblings in California.[8]

Education

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After graduating from Morningside High School in Inglewood, California, Achtenberg attended University of California, Los Angeles, and the transferred to the University of California, Berkeley and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in history.[6][1] At Berkeley, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa.[11] Achtenberg also met her ex-husband, David Chavkin at Berkeley.[1][12] She began law school at University of California, Hastings College of the Law, before eventually receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Utah in 1975.[6][1]

Personal life

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Roberta Achtenberg divorced from David Chavkin in a cordial manner in 1977, and soon after came out to her family as a lesbian.[1] After Achtenberg came out publicly, she received national support and opposition.[1] LGBTQ+ people and allies rallied in her support, and religious and conservative groups lobbied against her.[1]

Achtenberg met her former partner, Mary Morgan, judge on the San Francisco Municipal Court, in 1979, and became partners in 1982.[1][12] In 1985, Achtenberg and Morgan had a child named Benjamin.[1][12] Achtenberg and Morgan were one of the most visible lesbian couples with a child at the time of Achtenberg's political career.[13] During a San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, Achtenberg and Mary Morgan hugged and kissed while riding a float with their son, which generated controversy during her entrance to her federal political career.[4] In 1995, Achtenberg gave a speech at the San Francisco Dyke March and Gay Pride March.[14]

In 2015, she spoke at the University of Utah's S.J Quinney College of Law's Commencement ceremony.[15]

Career

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Before becoming a public official, Achtenberg worked for more than 15 years as a civil rights attorney, public interest advocate, nonprofit director, and legal educator.

Between 1975 and 1976, she served as a teaching fellow at Stanford University Law School.[8][6][16] In 1976, Achtenberg became the Dean of the New College of California School of Law.[8][6][16] Achtenberg supported the LGBTQ community early in her political career. Her activity included co-founding the National Center for Lesbian Rights in 1977, along with Donna Hitchens.[12][7] The center works for LGBTQ+ individuals, and provides them with legal services and counsel, advocacy, and education services.[7]

Additionally, in 1978 Achtenberg represented LGBTQ rights while in the Anti-Sexism Committee for the National Lawyers Guild.[1][12] While working for the organization, she edited Sexual Orientation and the Law (1985).[1] One issue this project highlighted was making a guide for how to give lesbian and gay people appropriate representation.[17] The paper outlines how to properly represent LGBTQ+ juveniles, how to tackle First Amendment issues regarding LGBTQ+ people or speech, and more.[18][19]

Achtenberg has formerly worked at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco on the Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002 where she chaired the Affordable Housing Committee, and worked as a Staff Attorney for the Lesbian Rights Project of Equal Rights Advocates.[2][12] In 2000, she became the Director of Andrew J. Wong, Inc, and has worked there since.[1][12] In 2018 she was named to the Policy Transition team of Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, to help address a variety of issues including LBGTQ policies.[20]

She is the founder and a partner at ABK City Advisors, also serves as a Senior Advisor at Lennar Corporation, and is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bank of San Francisco.[2][6][12][21]

Political career

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Achtenberg unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the 1988 California State Assembly special election to replace Art Agnos, losing to John Burton.[22][23] She was elected as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1990, in the first time that two lesbians (alongside Carole Migden) won seats to the board.[24][25][26] In her tenure on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, she worked on issues from individuals' rights to small businesses to making domestic violence shelters.[1] While still serving on the Board of Supervisors in 1992, Achtenberg was appointed to the committee drafting the National Democratic Party's platform.[1]

In 1993, she was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity by President Bill Clinton, becoming the first 'out,' LGBTQ person to be appointed and confirmed to a position within a cabinet office. In her role as Assistant Secretary, Achtenberg successfully integrated a previously all-white town in Vidor, Texas.[1][12] There was Ku Klux Klan opposition to this public housing integration.[1][12] She additionally worked to help find housing for displaced families due to a hurricane in 1994, and worked on improving fairness in the housing systems.[1] Her group was also awarded Vice President Gore's Hammer Award.[27] From 1995 to 1997, she was appointed as the senior advisor to the Secretary of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.[6][2]

 
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon receiving the first marriage license given to a same-sex couple by San Francisco. Roberta Achtenberg claps in the background.

Achtenberg left the post in 1995 to run for mayor of San Francisco, and placed third behind Frank Jordan and Willie Brown (who would win in the runoff).[28] From 1998 to 2004, Achtenberg helped develop the policies for both the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Center for Economic Development.[6][2] She served as Senior Vice President for Public Policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce until January 2005.[2] In 2004 during her time as the Senior Vice President, she helped a same-sex couple, Phyllis Ann Lyon and Del Martin, obtain the first marriage license issued for a same-sex couple by San Francisco.[29][30]

In 2000, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of California State University by Governor Gray Davis, becoming chair of the board in May 2006, serving on the CSU Board of Trustees until 2015.[2] Achtenberg served 16 years on the California State University Board of Trustees, serving two years as chair, where she developed the Access to Excellence Plan.[9] Achtenberg also was crucial in the formation of the CSU Institute for Palliative Care, and was a member of the Palliative Care's National Advisory Board.[9] Because of her extensive work with California State University, she was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters.[9]

Achtenberg was in charge of the Housing and Urban Development Department's Agency Review Team that assisted the Obama administration during its transition to office in 2008.[2] On January 26, 2011, President Barack Obama named Achtenberg as a Commissioner for the United States Commission on Civil Rights.[2] She served until 2016.[2]

Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Nomination and Confirmation Hearing

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Roberta Achtenberg was nominated, by President Bill Clinton, to be the Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.[31] Her confirmation was announced during the lift of the ban on letting gay people in the military.[4] Her confirmation hearing was held in front of the Senate's Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and started on April 29, 1993.[1][31][4]

After debates lasting three days, including nine and a half hours of filibusters on May 19 and 20, Achtenberg was confirmed by the 103th Senate on May 24, 1993, securing a vote of 58 YEAs to 31 NAYs, with 1 voting as present and 10 not voting.[4][32] Roberta Achtenberg was the first openly LGBTQ+ individual to go through the senate confirmation process, and the subsequently was the first LGBTQ+ individual to hold a federal position.[3][4]

During the hearing, Achtenberg was questioned by many Senators, including Senators Faircloth, Boxer, and Bond.[4] Throughout the process, she was loudly opposed by Senator Jesse Helms, who called her "a damn lesbian" that the Senate should refuse to confirm to the position.[12][4][13] Achtenberg also received opposition from the Christian Action Network, due to her radical lesbian activism.[12][4][13] Achtenberg received endorsements from many organizations and people, such as the National Fair Housing Alliance, San Francisco Bar Association, the National Association of Human Rights Workers, Senator Feinstein, and Congresswoman Pelosi.[33]

She also expressed her own viewpoints and goals related to the position.[4] Achtenberg stated that in the role of Assistant Secretary, she would strive to eradicate housing discrimination and allow people to make free and fair choices surrounding their housing.[34]

Awards

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Publications

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  • "Behavior Modification: Legal Limitations on Methods and Goals", 50 Notre Dame Lawyer 230 (1975)[31]
  • Sexual Orientation and the Law, by Roberta Achtenberg (editor) (1985) ISBN 978-0-87632-454-7
  • "Partner Benefits Litigation: Expanding Definitions of the Family", Matthew bender Family Law Monthly (May 1987)[31]
  • The Adoptive and Foster Gay and Lesbian Parent, in Gay and Lesbian Parents, Bozett, Ed., Praeger Press (1987)[31]
  • Nicaragua's New Constitution: Report of August 1986 National Lawyers Guild Delegation to Nicaragua (May 1987)
  • Aids and Child Custody: A Guide to Advocacy, National Center for Lesbian Rights (1989)[31]
  • The Lesbian and Gay Book of Love and Marriage: Creating the Stories of Our Lives, by Paula Martinac, Roberta Achtenberg (contributor) (1998) ISBN 978-0-7679-0162-8
  • Preserving and Protecting the Families of Lesbians and Gay Men, National Center for Lesbian Rights (1986, 1990)[31]
  • Lesbian Mother Litigation Manual, Second Edition, national Center for Lesbian Rights, with Donna Hitchens (1990)[31]
  • Protecting the Lesbian Family in Our Right to Love, Vida, Ed, (1990) [31]
  • Helping Gay and Lesbian Youth: New Policies, New Programs, New Practice, by Teresa Decrescenzo (editor), Roberta Achtenberg (contributor) (1994) ISBN 978-1-56023-057-1

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Rapp, Linda (2015). "Roberta Achtenberg" (PDF). GLBTQ Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-01-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Roberta Achtenberg | U.S. Commission on Civil Rights". www.usccr.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  3. ^ a b Forde, John (2006). "Roberta Achtenberg". In Gerstner, David A. (ed.). Routledge International Encyclopedia of Queer Culture (1 ed.). Routledge. pp. 2–3. ISBN 9780415306515. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k MILLER, DIANE HELENE (1998). Freedom to Differ: The Shaping of the Gay and Lesbian Struggle for Civil Rights. NYU Press. JSTOR j.ctt9qfg14.
  5. ^ United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing (1993). Nominations of Kenneth D. Brody, Roberta Achtenberg, and Nicolas P. Retsinas : hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on Kenneth D. Brody to be President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank, Roberta Achtenberg to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Nicolas P. Retsinas to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as Federal Housing Commissioner, April 29, 1993. Boston Public Library. Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office. ISBN 978-0-16-041269-1.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Roberta Achtenberg Board of Trustees". CalState. Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  7. ^ a b c Newton, David E. (2009). Gay and lesbian rights: a reference handbook. ABC-CLIO. p. 229. ISBN 9781598843071.
  8. ^ a b c d Mixner, David; Bailey, Dennis (20 April 2011). Brave Journeys: Profiles in Gay and Lesbian Courage. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307788696. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2020 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ a b c d "Roberta Achtenberg | Board of Trustees | CSU". 2018-04-04. Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  10. ^ "Roberta Achtenberg, California, 1990". OutHistory.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  11. ^ United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing (1993). Nominations of Kenneth D. Brody, Roberta Achtenberg, and Nicolas P. Retsinas : hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on Kenneth D. Brody to be President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank, Roberta Achtenberg to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Nicolas P. Retsinas to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as Federal Housing Commissioner, April 29, 1993. Boston Public Library. Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office. ISBN 978-0-16-041269-1.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Roberta Achtenberg | LGBTHistoryMonth.com". lgbthistorymonth.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  13. ^ a b c Gaffney, Stuart; Lewis, John (February 11, 2021). "Pete Buttigieg and the 'Damned Lesbian'". San Francisco Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "San Francisco Dyke March and Gay Pride Footage, 1995 · Lesbian Herstory Archives AudioVisual Collections". herstories.prattinfoschool.nyc. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  15. ^ "U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Roberta Achtenberg to Deliver 2015 Commencement Address at University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law". www.newswise.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  16. ^ a b c "Roberta Achtenberg". www2.calstate.edu. Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  17. ^ Achtenberg, Roberta; National Lawyers Guild, eds. (1985). Sexual orientation and the law. St. Paul, Minn.: Thomson/West. ISBN 978-0-87632-454-7. OCLC 11316836.
  18. ^ "Juveniles (From Sexual Orientation and the Law, P 10.1- 10.32, 1987, Roberta Achtenberg, ed. -- See NCJ-117686) | Office of Justice Programs". www.ojp.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  19. ^ "First Amendment (From Sexual Orientation and the Law, P 9.1- 9.52, 1987, Roberta Achtenberg, ed. -- See NCJ-117686) | Office of Justice Programs". www.ojp.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  20. ^ "Political Notebook: Lesbians, gay man to lead Breed policy panel". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  21. ^ "About". ABK City Advisors. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  22. ^ Roberts, Jerry; Barabak, Mark Z. (1988-04-13). "John Burton Recaptures His Old Assembly Seat". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. 1, 4.
  23. ^ O'Loughlin, Ray (1988-04-21). "Won't Run in June, Says Achtenberg". Bay Area Reporter. Vol. 18. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2022-12-16. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  24. ^ Chung, L.A. (1991-01-08). "S.F.'s New Supervisors Outline Their Political Goals". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. A4.
  25. ^ Sandalow, Marc (1990-11-08). "Gays Celebrate "Lavender Sweep' in San Francisco Election". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. A17.
  26. ^ Conkin, Dennis (1990-11-08). "Gays, Lesbians Score Big Gains". Bay Area Reporter. pp. 1, 16. Archived from the original on 2022-12-16. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  27. ^ "Appendix I". govinfo.library.unt.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  28. ^ Friday, Wayne (1995-11-09). "Achtenberg, Smith Lose in SF; Fundies Lose in Maine". Bay Area Reporter. pp. 1, 16. Archived from the original on 2022-12-16. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  29. ^ Michael, Jason A. (2020-04-13). "Obituary: Phyllis Ann Lyon". Pride Source. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  30. ^ Love, Jean; Cain, Patricia (January 1, 2005). "One Wedding and a Revolution: A Film by Debra Chasnof". Santa Clara Law Digital Commons: 13 – via Digital Commons.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing (1993). Nominations of Kenneth D. Brody, Roberta Achtenberg, and Nicolas P. Retsinas : hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on Kenneth D. Brody to be President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank, Roberta Achtenberg to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Nicolas P. Retsinas to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as Federal Housing Commissioner, April 29, 1993. Boston Public Library. Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office. ISBN 9780160412691.
  32. ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 103rd Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  33. ^ United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing (1993). Nominations of Kenneth D. Brody, Roberta Achtenberg, and Nicolas P. Retsinas : hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on Kenneth D. Brody to be President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank, Roberta Achtenberg to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Nicolas P. Retsinas to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as Federal Housing Commissioner, April 29, 1993. Boston Public Library. Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office. ISBN 978-0-16-041269-1.
  34. ^ United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing (1993). Nominations of Kenneth D. Brody, Roberta Achtenberg, and Nicolas P. Retsinas : hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on Kenneth D. Brody to be President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank, Roberta Achtenberg to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Nicolas P. Retsinas to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as Federal Housing Commissioner, April 29, 1993. Boston Public Library. Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office. ISBN 978-0-16-041269-1.
  35. ^ www.bibliopolis.com. "1992 Lesbian Rights Award Banquet honoring Roberta Achtenberg Los Angeles, March 14, 1992 program by Southern California Women for Understanding on Bolerium Books". Bolerium Books. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  36. ^ "2021 Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Pride Honorees | California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer Caucus". lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  37. ^ "LGBTQ Victory Hall of Fame | Pride & Progress". www.prideandprogress.org. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  38. ^ "HUDgov Twitter". Twitter. March 12, 2022. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Election was not district specific
 Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
1990–1993 		Succeeded by
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