Brown was one of four African Americans in the Assembly in 1965 . The other three African American members were Mervyn M. Dymally , F. Douglas Ferrell , Byron Rumford . He continued to be reelected to the Assembly until 1995 . In the 1960s , Brown served as the Chair of the Legislative Representation Committee , a powerful Assembly position that helped Brown climb the Assembly ranks . He became the Democrats ' Assembly whip in 1969 . Brown also served on the Assembly Ways and Means Committee . In 1972 , he delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention . He lost his bid for the speakership in 1972 . In 1975 , Willie Brown authored and lobbied the successful passing of the Consenting Adult Sex Bill that legalized homosexuality in California , thus earning the strong and lasting support of San Francisco 's gay community . Similarly , he voted against AB 607 , which banned same-sex marriage in 1977 , further building his reputation as a supporter of the civil rights of gays and lesbians . During the 1970s , Brown continued to expand his legal practice , including the representation of several major real estate developers . He won the Speakership in 1980 with 28 Republican and 23 Democratic votes
Democratic National Convention
1972 Democratic National Convention
Willie Brown (politician)