Your cart is currently empty!
119th Congress’ LGBTQ members include first trans representative
Thirteen members of the 119th Congress are openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ), according to a Pew Research Center analysis of official biographies, news reports and candidate databases. This total includes Congress’ first openly trans member.
The number of LGBTQ members hasn’t changed since the last Congress, but it has grown markedly since the start of the 111th Congress in 2009. At that time, two members were openly gay men and one was a lesbian, according to data from the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a political action committee that works to elect LGBTQ+ candidates.
One senator and 12 members of the House of Representatives identify as lesbian, gay, transgender or queer as of Jan. 3, when the 119th Congress was sworn in.
The only bisexual member of the last Congress, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, did not seek reelection in 2024. That means Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin – elected in 2012 as the first openly gay senator – is again the Senate’s only LGBTQ lawmaker.
All 13 openly LGBTQ members of the new Congress are Democrats. Ten are returning members and three are new.
In the House, Sarah McBride of Delaware is the first openly transgender member of Congress. Two other incoming House members also made history:
Across both chambers, six members are gay men. Seven are women who are gay, lesbian, transgender or queer.
Members of Congress who are openly LGBTQ account for 2.4% of the 533 voting lawmakers sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025. But LGBTQ+ Americans made up 7.6% of the adult population overall in 2023, according to Gallup surveys.
November’s election also brought several firsts at the state level. LGBTQ candidates won legislative seats in 39 states, according to Victory Fund data and news reports. In Texas, Molly Cook, who is bisexual, became the first openly LGBTQ person elected to a full term in the state Senate.
Hawaii, Iowa and Missouri each elected their first openly transgender state legislators – Kim Coco Iwamoto, Aime Wichtendahl and Wick Thomas, respectively. RaShaun Kemp of Georgia and Amaad Rivera-Wagner of Wisconsin became the first openly gay Black men elected to their states’ legislatures.
The 119th Congress is making history with the inclusion of its LGBTQ members, including the first transgender representative. This milestone marks a significant moment for representation and diversity in the legislative branch of the United States government.
The newly elected transgender representative is breaking barriers and paving the way for more LGBTQ individuals to hold positions of power and influence in Congress. Their presence serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the LGBTQ community, showing that anyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, can make a difference in shaping the future of our country.
As we celebrate the achievements of these LGBTQ members in the 119th Congress, let us also continue to advocate for equality, acceptance, and inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of who they are or who they love. This is just the beginning of a more equitable and diverse political landscape, and we must continue to strive for progress and positive change.
Tags:
119th Congress, LGBTQ members, trans representative, LGBTQ rights, political representation, diversity in Congress
#119th #Congress #LGBTQ #members #include #trans #representative
Leave a Reply