History was made last night in states across the USA, and it was an especially good night for LGBTQ+ candidates. The country now has its first openly transgender state senator and several states elected their first BIPOC and LGBTQ+ state senators and house legislators. We love to see it.
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In New York City, Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones were both elected to the U.S. Congress, making them the first two Black LGBTQ+ men in Congress ever. In Albany, Jabari Brisport became the first LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the state legislature.
In Florida, Michele Rayner-Goolsby and Shevrin Jones won their state House and Senate races respectively to become the first openly LGBTQ+ legislators. Rayner has the additional honor of being the first Black queer woman in the state legislature.
In Georgia, Kim Jackson will be the first openly queer state senator in history. In Georgia's House, Sam Park won reelection after being the first openly gay man elected to the state legislature four years ago.
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In Kansas, Sharice Davids, the first LGBTQ+ Native American congresswoman, won reelection, and Stephanie Byers won a seat in the Kansas House, becoming the first trans BIPOC elected to the state legislature.
In Delaware, Sarah McBride was elected to the state senate, making her the first transgender state senator in the U.S. Shortly after, Taylor Small also made history as Vermont's first transgender state legislator.
In Oklahoma, Mauree Turner is now the first non-binary person elected to any state legislature in the U.S. and also has the honor of being the first Muslim legislator in Oklahoma.
With the presidential election results still up in the air as of Tuesday afternoon, it feel great to have these victories to celebrate in the meantime. Congrats to all the winners!