The second out-LGBTQ+ person ever elected to serve on Akron council has been sworn in to serve.

Fran Wilson, a community organizer, defeated incumbent Sam DeShazior in the May primary and independent candidate Acacia Reynolds in the November election for the Ward 1 seat.

Wilson identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kani Hightower swore them in, and Wilson’s sister, Joan, pinned them ahead of the council meeting Monday night.

During the meeting, Wilson pledged to stand up for Akron’s LGBTQ+ community.

“It is an honor to be one of the very, very small few of out-elected, queer representatives who have sat in this horseshoe in Akron’s 200-year history,” Wilson said.

City of Akron / YouTube

Wilson will also listen and respond to resi

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