First black and lesbian representative resigns Georgia seat

ATLANTA (AP) The first black and openly lesbian state lawmaker plans to resign from office in Georgia.

State Rep. Simone Bell submitted a letter to Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday, and her resignation is official on Nov. 13. Bell says in a statement that she has accepted a position with Lambda Legal, working for LGBT people across the South.

Bell won a special election in 2009 in Georgia's 58th District. She was honored by the White House in 2013 along with nine other LGBT officials.

She previously worked as a community health educator and health care administrator.