Gordon Lau

For the martial arts actor (劉家輝), see Gordon Liu.

Gordon J. Lau (Chinese: 劉貴明; Jyutping: lau4 gwai3 ming4, August 22, 1941 – April 20, 1998) 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.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Liu.

Gordon Lau
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
In office 1977–1980
Personal details
Born	(1941-08-22)August 22, 1941
Died	April 20, 1998(1998-04-20) (aged 56)

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.^[1]

Career

Much like his colleague Harvey 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.^[1]

Legacy

Gordon J. Lau Elementary School 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.^[2]