(Boston) A gay former state lawmaker who fought a personal and political battle to help Massachusetts become the first state to legalize gay marriage has been appointed head of a national gay rights group.

Former Sen. Jarrett Barrios tearfully shared stories of his family during debate on a proposal that would have effectively undone a court ruling making Massachusetts the first in the nation to allow gay couples to wed.

He’ll become president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Barrios is married to Democratic political strategist Doug Hattaway. They have two children.

“We’re making progress toward equality, but we’ll only achieve full equality if we change hearts and minds – and that’s what GLAAD is all about,” said Barrios.  “We’re working for the day when every one of us is accepted, respected and valued for the contributions we make to this country.  It’s an ambitious goal, but I know we can do it.  I believe in our community, and I believe in our country.”

At 40 years old, Barrios will become the youngest leader of GLAAD and, as a Cuban-American, he will be the first head of a national LGBT organization fluent in English and Spanish. He was the first openly gay person and the first Latino elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, where he represented a largely white, Catholic, working-class district.  He is an accomplished fundraiser and manager who broke fund raising records in his election campaigns and managed a multi-million dollar budget at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts.

Since 2007, Barrios has been president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, which announced his move Wednesday.
From the Associated Press and wire reports.