Ron Oden

Ron Oden is an American, openly gay politician. In November 2003, he was elected the mayor of Palm Springs, California after serving eight years on its city council. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Los Angeles, California. He was an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister and holds two Masters degrees, but stepped away from the church shortly before entering politics.

He is the father of two daughters, Brooke and Brittany. He is also the grandfather of two granddaughters and one grandson. In June 2006, he lost in the Democratic primary for a seat in the California State Assembly by less than 100 votes.