Gordon Lau


Gordon J. Lau was the first Chinese American elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, California. He was elected to the city board of supervisors under Mayor George Moscone in 1977.

Early life

Lau was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved with his parents to San Francisco when he was 11 years old. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's, graduated from St. Ignatius High School and went on to attend University of San Francisco, earning bachelor's and law degrees.

Career

Much like his colleague Milk, who had been an important activist for the LGBT community of San Francisco, Lau was an activist for the city's Asian American community. Lau was initially appointed in 1977 by Moscone to the Board of Supervisors, but won the subsequent election and served until he was defeated in the 1979 election.

Legacy

in Chinatown is named in his honor. Before it was renamed to honor Lau, it was originally known as the Oriental Public School until 1924, and Commodore Stockton Elementary School between 1924 and 1998.