LGBT Representation in Government
In recent years, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) representation has increased dramatically in many regards. This is true in US government as well, but unfortunately most people are not aware of it. LGBTQ representation in any regard is important but particularly in government, where legislators have the power to somewhat determine how minorities are treated. Explore the developments in history of LGBTQ representation in US government and its effects on news and legislature.
Congress: Cumulative Map
Nationwide Firsts
1973-1997 (MA) outed 1983, first out congressperson, first to hold committee chair (House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries from 1990-1995). Photo by John Duricka / AP Photo
1973-1997 (MA) outed 1983, first out congressperson, first to hold committee chair (House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries from 1990-1995). Photo by John Duricka / AP Photo
2019 (AR) first openly bisexual person, also in House (2012). Photo by Bill Clark / Getty
2019 (AR) first openly bisexual person, also in House (2012). Photo by Bill Clark / Getty
(left) 1991-1995 (PA) first LGBT senator, came out as bisexual in 2016. Photo by Laura Patterson / Getty
(left) 1991-1995 (PA) first LGBT senator, came out as bisexual in 2016. Photo by Laura Patterson / Getty
1981-1997 (WI) first out Republican congressman (1994). Photo courtesy Wisconsin Historical Society
1981-1997 (WI) first out Republican congressman (1994). Photo courtesy Wisconsin Historical Society
1980-2013 (MA) first congressman to voluntarily come out (1987). Photo by Ellen Shub
1980-2013 (MA) first congressman to voluntarily come out (1987). Photo by Ellen Shub
2013-present (WI) first openly gay person, also in House from 1999-2013, first out female. Photo by Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via AP Images
2013-present (WI) first openly gay person, also in House from 1999-2013, first out female. Photo by Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via AP Images
2009-present (CO) first out when elected male, first same-sex parent in Congress, first openly gay person elected governor (current elect). Photo by Sara Hertwig / Denverite
2009-present (CO) first out when elected male, first same-sex parent in Congress, first openly gay person elected governor (current elect). Photo by Sara Hertwig / Denverite
2012-present (WI) first to succeed another openly gay officeholder (Tammy Baldwin). Photo by Michelle Stocker / The Cap Times
2012-present (WI) first to succeed another openly gay officeholder (Tammy Baldwin). Photo by Michelle Stocker / The Cap Times
2012-present (CA) first non-white openly gay member. Photo by Joe Gromelski / Stars and Stripes
2012-present (CA) first non-white openly gay member. Photo by Joe Gromelski / Stars and Stripes
2015-present (OR) first openly bisexual governor and first LGBT governor to take office (ascended after resignation). Photo by Steve Dipaola / Reuters
2015-present (OR) first openly bisexual governor and first LGBT governor to take office (ascended after resignation). Photo by Steve Dipaola / Reuters
2002-2004 (NJ) first gay governor, came out during resignation in 2004. Photo by Chris Pedota / KRT
2002-2004 (NJ) first gay governor, came out during resignation in 2004. Photo by Chris Pedota / KRT
1993-1995 (CA) first known bisexual member of Congress, came out in 1998. Photo by Laura Patterson / Getty
1993-1995 (CA) first known bisexual member of Congress, came out in 1998. Photo by Laura Patterson / Getty
1998 (Tempe, AZ) first directly elected openly gay mayor. Photo by Gary He/ NBC / Getty
1998 (Tempe, AZ) first directly elected openly gay mayor. Photo by Gary He/ NBC / Getty
2008 (Silverton, OR) first transgender mayor. Photo by Jon Deshler
2008 (Silverton, OR) first transgender mayor. Photo by Jon Deshler
2018 (Roselle Park, NJ) first openly gay married couple to serve elected public office together for the same municipality (Borough Council). Photo by Ellie SIlverman / McClatchy DC / Getty Images
2018 (Roselle Park, NJ) first openly gay married couple to serve elected public office together for the same municipality (Borough Council). Photo by Ellie SIlverman / McClatchy DC / Getty Images
1974 (Ann Arbor, MI) first openly gay person elected to public office (city council). Photo courtesy DPLA / Bentley Historical Library
1974 (Ann Arbor, MI) first openly gay person elected to public office (city council). Photo courtesy DPLA / Bentley Historical Library
1976 (San Francisco Board of Supervisors) first openly gay man non-incumbent elected, assassinated in 1978 by Dan White. Photo by Ted Sahl / DPLA
1976 (San Francisco Board of Supervisors) first openly gay man non-incumbent elected, assassinated in 1978 by Dan White. Photo by Ted Sahl / DPLA
News
Almost as important as representation in government is how that representation is portrayed in the media. Take a look at some news articles from throughout the years showing the election of LGBT members. (Click on the image to view the article.)
Victory Fund Announces Nationwide Election Night Celebrations (1992)
Studds Heralds Canadian Reversal of Gay Military Ban (1992)
Creating Trouble on the Campaign Trail, Promoting Visibility of Lesbian/Gay & AIDS Issues During the Presidential Primaries (1992)
Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide (June 26, 2015)
2018 News
In recent 2018 midterms, a "rainbow wave" passed through the elections, with over 100 LGBT members elected in local, state, and congressional elections, even a few more firsts occurring (Caron). Take a look at some recent news. (Click on the image to view the article.)
In ‘Rainbow Wave,’ L.G.B.T. Candidates Are Elected in Record Numbers
US elects its first openly gay governor
Jared Polis, the First Openly Gay Governor in U.S. History, Wants Other LGBTQ People to Run for Office
Congress Elects from 2018 Midterm
(AR). Photo by Photo by Bill Clark / Getty
(KS) first LGBT Native American member, former MMA fighter. Photo courtesy @sharicedavids/Twitter
(MN) first same-sex mother and openly gay married woman in Congress. Photo by Tom Williams / AP Images
(CA). Photo courtesy Katie Hill for Congress
(NH). Photo by Charles Krupa / AP Images
Actions in Office
The presence of LGBT members in state and federal legislatures allows for these members to advocate for and sponsor legislation that benefits and empowers the LGBT community. Click on a bill or other action to view it.
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 (sponsored by Jared Polis)
Expressing support for the designation of June 26, 2016, as “LGBT Equality Day”. (Tammy Baldwin)
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 (sponsored by Barney Frank)
Customer Non-Discrimination Act (Co-sponsored by many)
National LGBTQ Task Force
The National LGBTQ Task Force is the oldest LGBTQ advocacy group in the United States. Created in 1973, the founders of the group wanted to fight for LGBTQ rights on a national level and have since then contributed to many changes in public policies. Some of these issues involve removing the sickness designation from homosexuality, allowing federal civil service employment for homosexuals, AIDS awareness, and violence against the LGBTQ community. (National LGBTQ Task Force)
Victory Fund
The Human Rights Campaign Fund was created by Steve Endean in 1980 as a political action committee aimed to provide financial support to LGBTQ candidates that supported civil rights legislature. Eventually, in 1995, the organization was renamed the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and furthered their efforts beyond lobbying. It started new advocacy and educational efforts on behalf of the LGBTQ community. Today it is the largest LGBTQ civil rights group. ("HRC Story")
Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus was established in 2008 by representatives Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank, and other members. "The Equality Caucus serves as a resource for Members of Congress, their staff, and the public on LGBT issues at the federal level. The Caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well-being for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression." (Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus)
Current Co-Chairs:
- Representative Jared Polis
- Representative David Cicilline
- Representative Sean Patrick Maloney
- Representative Mark Pocan
- Representative Kyrsten Sinema
- Representative Mark Takano
Current Members of Congress
Photo by Tom Williams / AP Images
Photo by Tom Williams / AP Images
Photo by Bill Clark / Getty
Photo by Bill Clark / Getty
Photo by John Meore / The Journal News
Photo by John Meore / The Journal News
Photo by Sara Hertwig / Denverite
Photo by Sara Hertwig / Denverite
Photo by Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Photo by Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Photo by Joe Gromelski / Stars and Stripes
Photo by Joe Gromelski / Stars and Stripes
Photo by Michelle Stocker / The Cap Times
Photo by Michelle Stocker / The Cap Times
Bibliography
- Caron, Christina. “In 'Rainbow Wave,' L.G.B.T. Candidates Are Elected in Record Numbers.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Nov. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/11/07/us/politics/lgbt-election-winners-midterms.html.
- “Congress.gov.” Congress.gov, Library of Congress, congress.gov/.
- Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives, lgbt-polis.house.gov/.
- DPLA, Digital Public Library of American, dp.la/
- Greve, Joan. “LGBT America: By the Numbers.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 13 July 2016, www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/blog-post/lgbt-america-numbers.
- "HRC Story." Human Rights Campaign. The Human Rights Campaign. www.hrc.org/hrc-story.
- “Jared Polis to Be First Openly Gay Governor - CNN Video.” CNN, Cable News Network, 7 Nov. 2018, www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/11/07/jared-polis-openly-gay-governor-orig.cnn.
- Kirst, Seamus. “Jared Polis, the First Openly Gay Governor in U.S. History, Wants Other LGBTQ People to Run for Office.” Teen Vogue, TeenVogue.com, 30 Nov. 2018, www.teenvogue.com/story/jared-polis-the-first-openly-gay-governor-in-us-history.
- “LGBTQ+ Elected Officials in the United States (Federal + State).” It Gets Better, It Gets Better Project, 15 Nov. 2018, itgetsbetter.org/initiatives/lgbtq-elected-officials-2018/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5_rxzqb83gIVmv_jBx3QZAu5EAAYASAAEgI8X_D_BwE.
- Liptak, Adam. “Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 June 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html.
- National LGBTQ Task Force. National LGBTQ Task Force. thetaskforce.org/about/mission-history.html.
- “Victory Fund.” LGBTQ Victory Fund, Victory Fund, victoryfund.org/.
- Watkins, Eli. “First Native American Women Elected to Congress: Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland.” CNN, Cable News Network, 7 Nov. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/11/06/politics/sharice-davids-and-deb-haaland-native-american-women/index.html.