"HISTORIC"

The New Democratic Party of New Brunswick in Canada has elected an openly lesbian social activist and the founder of the province’s Morgentaler abortion clinic as their new leader.

With a convincing first ballot victory at the NDP leadership convention, Allison Brewer, 51, made history Sunday, becoming New Brunswick's first openly gay party leader.

After winning, she said the day was "historic" and pledged to continue campaigning for gay and abortion rights.

The Telegraph-Journal reports Brewer comes to her new role with a diverse resume as a former journalist, social activist and former executive director of the Morgentaler clinic in Fredericton. Although her roots are in New Brunswick, she recently spent four years in Iqaluit, Nunavut as a government communications adviser and senior adviser to government on women's issues. During her time in New Brunswick, she was active with the Conservation Council, the Capital Credit Union and Parents for Children with Special Needs. In October, she earned a Governor General's Award for her work as a union and human rights activist, a feminist and a disability rights activist.

In New Brunswick, she was at the forefront of a battle with Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside, who refused to proclaim Gay Pride Week. Brewer was one of two complainants who took the matter to the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, which ordered Woodside to proclaim Gay Pride Week in 1998.

“As the leader I think there are things I have to hear and I will certainly respect other people's opinions but anyone who thinks that a woman doesn't have the right to choose is just wrong and anyone who doesn't support equal marriage for Canadians is just wrong," Brewer said. "And I won't hear any arguments to the contrary."

Brewer warned the country's Conservative and ruling Liberal parties that she was on her way to challenging them. Sources: Telegraph-Journal (Canada), Rainbow Network, Planet Out