The dedication ceremony for a mural honoring Washington’s first openly gay state senator will be held Saturday, March 24th, Sound Transit announced today. We reported earlier this month on the plans for the new Cal Anderson portrait on the light rail construction wall facing his namesake park. The invitation sent out by the transit agency doesn’t specify but we have been told that Anderson’s family is expected to attend as well as state Senator Ed Murray and other dignitaries. Last month, Washington became the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. Opponents are currently gathering signatures for a fall referendum.

Please join us for the

Cal Anderson Portrait Dedication

STart (Sound Transit’s art program) commissioned 
artist Kelly Lyles to honor Cal Anderson.

Help us dedicate this new portrait commemorating his legacy.

When: Saturday March 24, 2012 at 11 a.m.

Accompaniment by Rainbow City Marching Band: 
Rainbow City Brass Quintet

Where: Cal Anderson Park, 10th Ave E & East Denny

Future site of the Capitol Hill Link light rail station, red construction wall

Cal Anderson

Cal Anderson was a trailblazer. He was an activist, a decorated Vietnam War combat veteran, a Washington State Senator and a friend. He was also Washington state’s first openly gay legislator.

Cal fought tirelessly and without fanfare for campaign finance reform, easier voter registration, open access to government documents and gay rights legislation. He called himself “a Democrat who happens to be gay,” and he made a difference in many lives.

Cal Anderson died Aug. 4, 1995, of illness related to AIDS. He was 47. On April 19, 2003, Cal Anderson Park was named and dedicated in his honor.