But guess what? We have a new president now, and numerous LGBTQIA+ individuals have recently been elected to office to restore the safety and rights that we, as queer American citizens, deserve.
Take Pete Butters, for instance, who made headlines as a gay man running for president and is expected to play a significant role in Biden’s Cabinet—far better than remaining hidden away. Kamala Harris has already appointed Karina James, a Black lesbian, as her Chief of Staff. Last year, James remarked, “Representation matters. That is why I find so many of these young newly-elected members of Congress—many of whom are women and women of color—so inspiring.”
The Importance of Queer Representation
Queer representation is vital, especially in politics. It’s crucial to have individuals at the decision-making table advocating for a community that faces marginalization and legal discrimination simply for living authentically. We need LGBTQIA+ voices in the rooms where laws and policies are crafted, having been shut out for far too long. Thanks to a record-breaking number of LGBTQIA+ candidates this election cycle, with 570 running during the presidential elections, 160 queer individuals will be taking their positions in state legislatures nationwide.
Let’s explore some of the historic figures who have emerged, achieved a measure of justice, and highlight the significance of embracing all aspects of identity to enhance the fabric of our nation.
Historic Wins for LGBTQIA+ Leaders
For instance, Charmaine Davis’s election win served as a powerful reminder that karma and justice can prevail. An openly gay woman, she was fired from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department three years ago, which she claims was due to her sexuality, and her lawsuit against them is still pending. Davis challenged the person who dismissed her and ultimately became the newly elected sheriff.
Sarah McBride has been elected to Delaware’s State Senate, making her the highest-ranking out transgender official in the United States. She will be able to access the restroom that aligns with her gender identity, even though many of her constituents previously voted against her rights in various court battles.
Taylor Small made history as Vermont’s first transgender state legislator, and she declined endorsements from organizations that didn’t support the Black Lives Matter movement.
As Black voters rallied to remove Trump from office, LGBTQIA+ people of color are poised to bring about significant change for the queer community.
Michele Rains will be the first Black, queer woman in the Florida State House. Shevrin Jones is set to become the first out queer individual elected to the Florida State Senate. Malcolm Kenyatta was the first openly queer person of color elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018 and was reelected this year, continuing to combat voter suppression.
Stephanie Byers made history as the first transgender person of color elected to any state legislature in the nation by winning a seat in the Kansas State House. Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones also made waves as the first Black and openly queer members of Congress from New York.
Even conservative states like Tennessee, Georgia, and New Mexico have begun to elect LGBTQIA+ individuals into their state legislatures.
The election of Mauree Taylor was particularly significant for many, as they became the first nonbinary state legislator in the United States by winning a seat in Oklahoma’s House of Representatives. Mauree is also the first Muslim to serve in Oklahoma’s state legislature.
Advocacy and Representation
As a nonbinary individual advocating for queer rights for myself, my transgender daughter, and our community within a heteronormative system that often prioritizes binary, cisgender lives, I find it exhausting to constantly justify my existence. Cisgender individuals should be encouraged to share their pronouns, but it’s even more crucial for them to respect and use the pronouns of all gender identities. My hope is that with greater representation of nonbinary individuals in office, I will no longer need to explain my gender-neutral pronouns as frequently.
Despite the progress made, there remains much work to be done for transgender and queer rights, particularly in undoing the damage inflicted by the Trump administration. LGBTQIA+ individuals aren’t asking for more than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts; we seek job security, healthcare, and protections for our children. We want to access places of worship, businesses, and educational institutions without fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence. Our aim is to reduce our struggles and worries, allowing us to live and love openly without the threat of bigotry and violence.
There is undeniably a queer agenda, and I am grateful for the LGBTQIA+ politicians championing it.
Further Reading
For more insights on related topics, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination, or read more about other LGBTQ+ voices making a difference.
Search Queries
- LGBTQ+ elected officials impact on rights
- Importance of queer representation in politics
- Recent LGBTQ+ political victories
- Nonbinary representation in government
- Progress for transgender rights post-Trump
Summary: The article discusses the resurgence of LGBTQIA+ representation in politics following the Trump administration, highlighting the election of various queer leaders who are poised to advocate for the rights and safety of the community. It emphasizes the importance of having queer voices in legislative discussions and the ongoing fight for equality and recognition.