These LGBTQ+ Candidates Made History on Election Night

Sarah McBride will be the first out transgender state senator in the history of this nation

Photo: Shannon Finney/Getty Images

It was not long ago when openly LGBTQ+ lawmakers were few and far between. But today, the political landscape looks very different: LGBTQ+ rights have been under attack in the Trump era, but that has not stopped people from fighting for a seat at the table.

We’re keeping track of all the queer candidates who are making history in this election. Check this space for updates on how they are breaking barriers.

Sarah McBride

McBride became the first out transgender state senator in the history of this nation. The 30-year-old has been elected to Delaware’s 1st state senate district. “I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too,” McBride, a longtime LGBTQ+ activist, wrote on Twitter.

Ritchie Torres

Torres became the one of the first openly gay Black men ever elected to Congress. He’ll replace retiring Rep. José Serrano in New York’s 15th congressional district. “Tonight, we made history,” he said. “It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx.”

Mondaire Jones

Jones, who won in New York’s 17th District, will also be one of the first openly gay Black men to become a congressional representative. “It is a lot of responsibility,” he told CBS. “I’m happy to be providing that kind of representation for so many young people and older people all throughout my district and all throughout this country who have reached out to me and said, ‘I’m so inspired by what you’re doing. You give me hope and I can be my authentic self in a world filled with so much injustice,’ and it’s really an honor to be able to do that.”

Mauree Turner

Turner is the first non-binary person to ever become a state legislator. They’ll represent Oklahoma’s 88th district, and will also be the state’s first Muslim lawmaker.

Stephanie Byers

Byers is the first transgender person of color to ever be elected to a state legislature. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, she will represent the 86th district in the Kansas House of Representatives.