The second most powerful person in the nation's largest city is Chris Quinn, a Democrat who is also a lesbian. Gotta love New York:
The city will have its first female and openly gay City Council speaker, with enough backers lining up behind Councilwoman Christine Quinn that she's expected to get the nod at Wednesday's official vote.
Quinn (D-Manhattan), edged out her closest rival, Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), for the influential position. The balance swung in her favor when the powerful Queens delegation, with 13 Democrats, decided to back Quinn.
The council speaker is widely considered the second most visible -- and powerful -- position in city government, as the face of the 51-member City Council and often the most prominent counterpoint to the mayor.
