MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s only openly gay legislator is the new state director of a group that advocates for gay rights.

Democratic state Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham was introduced Friday as the new state director of the Human Rights Campaign in Alabama.

The Washington-based group is the nation’s largest civil rights organization for LGBT equality. It’s currently working on a project to increase acceptance of gays and lesbians in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Todd says the job is a continuance of her work for LGBTQ equality.

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Project One America interim director Hayden Mora says Todd has a “unique combination of intellect, leadership, and moxie.”

Todd worked for the last 10 years at AIDS Alabama, most recently serving as the organization’s executive director.

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