Half a century has passed since Kathy Kozachenko, a 21-year-old University of Michigan student, made history as the first openly gay person elected to public office in the U.S. Now 71, Kozachenko's single term on the Ann Arbor City Council paved the way for LGBTQ+ representation in politics during a pivotal time of visibility for the community in American society. While her name isn't as widely recognized as her contemporary Harvey Milk, she has remained engaged in politics over the decades, closely observing the current surge in anti-LGBTQ+ state policies and rhetoric. She believes these challenges are "more dangerous" than some of those faced by her generation. She says, “We have to do the work again. #Queer Up Politics