LGBTQ Candidates Made History in the Election
A record number of openly LGBTQ+ community members were successful in their election bids to the US Congress this November. And the results were more than expected. Many states gained an official that happened to be a member of the community and it became a first for many of the states. This election was brimming with firsts. According to Annise Parker, president of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, “More and more, folks are approaching races saying, ‘This is who I am and I’m not going to hide who I am in order to win an election,”
So, with the culture changing in the US Congress, it’s extremely promising that with more diversity, comes a government better equipped to meet the needs of the American people, ALL of the American people. As reported by The Lily, of The Washington Post, “According to Parker’s organization — a political action committee dedicated to electing LGBTQ officials — a record 1,006 openly LGBTQ candidates ran for office in the 2020 primaries and 574 advanced to Tuesday’s general election. Nearly a third of those candidates were people of color and a record 25 candidates identified as genderqueer, nonbinary or gender nonconforming.”
Courtesy of The Lily
Among the victories:
Nevada became the first state to protect same-sex marriage in its constitution. Vermont gained their first transgender state legislator, Taylor Small. Jabari Brisport is the first LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the New York State Senate. Sarah McBride won her race in Delaware making her the first openly transgender state senator in American history. And these are just some of the victories mentioned. Many more were announced as the election came to a close. And with such an influx of inclusive candidates, America is looking at an adapting Congress.
Here’s to a more diverse US Congress and sparks of real change in motion. However, even though we’ve elected a more diverse Congress this time around, here’s to hoping this pattern continues to flourish in future elections.