First Out Elected State Politicians - United States of America
Being elected to a public office after campaigning as an out LGBTQ individual reflects an absolute sense of confidence in one's self. The result also reflects society's general acceptance of the individual's capabilities to administer and govern regardless of sexual orientation or other distinguishing personal characteristics. Undoubtedly, the individual had to overcome a certain degree of homophobia, abuse, intolerance and hatred to reach their elected position - and they succeeded in doing so.
This list of individuals represents the important role of visible participation of minorities in elected government. It is advantageous that visible minorities be a part of the decision-making body that sets the agenda, determines policy, and establishes the social construct of the collective whole.
For many, the argument is made that being LGBTQ is only one element of their personal being. Other qualities come to the fore in an election campaign that can trump or reinforce the individual's capabilities to hold the elected office. This is, of course, true.
Nevertheless, the LGBTQ community needs role models, mentors and leaders to act as examples of what can be accomplished regardless of sexual orientation.
The following represent the first out elected state politicians in the United States. They do not necessarily represent individuals who have come out as gay after being elected.
Alabama
- Patricia Todd, House of Representatives
Arizona
- Kenneth Cheuvront, Senator
Arkansas
- Kathy Webb, House of Representatives
California
- Sheila Kuehl, General Assembly and Senate
Colorado
- Mark Ferrandino, House of Representatives (Speaker)
Connecticut
- Evelyn Mantilla, House of Representatives
Florida
- Shevrin Jones, Senate
- David Richardson, House of Representatives
- Joe Saunders, House of Representatives
Georgia
- Karla Drenner, House of Representatives
- Kim Jackson, Senate
Hawaii
- Joe Bertram, House of Representatives
Idaho
- Nicole LeFavour, House of Representatives
Illinois
- Larry McKeon, State House of Representatives
Kansas
- Sharice Davids, House of Representatives
Kentucky
- Ernesto Scorsone, Senate
- Keturah Herron, House of Representatives
Maine
- Dale McCormick, Senate
Maryland
- Richard Madaleno, Senate
- Margaret McIntosh, House of Representatives
Massachusetts
- Elaine Noble, House of Representatives
- Maura Healey, Governor (2022)
Michigan
- Chris Kolb, House of Representatives
- Dana Nessel, Attorney General
Minnesota
- Karen Clark, House of Representatives
- Leigh Finke, Transgender, House of Representatives (2022)
Mississippi
- Fabian Nelson, State Legislature (2023)
Missouri
- Tim Van Zandt, House of Representatives
Montana
- Diane Sands, House of Representatives
- Zooey Zephyr, transgender member of the House of Representatives (2022)
Nebraska
- Barbara Baier, Lincoln School Board
- Megan Hunt, State Senate (2018)
Nevada
- David Parks, General Assembly and Senate
New Hampshire
- Raymond Buckley, House of Representatives
- David Pierce, Senate
New Jersey
- Reed Gusciora, State Assembly
New Mexico
- Elizabeth Stefanics, Senate
New York
- Deborah Glick, State Assembly
North Carolina
- Julia Boseman, Senate
North Dakota
- Joshua Boschee, House of Representatives
Oklahoma
- Al McAffrey, House of Representatives and Senate
Oregon
- Gail Shibley, House of Representatives
- Kate Brown, Governor
Ohio
- Nickie Antonio, House of Representatives
Pennsylvania
- Brian Sims, House of Representatives
Rhode Island
- William P. Fitzpatrick, Senate
South Carolina
- Jason Elliot, House of Representatives
South Dakota
- Angie Buhl, Senate
- Kameron Nelson, House of Representatives (2022)
Tennessee
- Torrey Harris, House of Representatives
Texas
- Glen Maxey, House of Representatives
- Molly Cook, State Senate (2024)
Utah
- Jackie Biskupski, House of Representatives
Vermont
- Ron Squires, House of Representatives
Virginia
- Adam Ebbin, General Assembly
- Danica Roem, Transgender, House of Delegates (2017) and State Senate (2023)
Washington
- Calvin Anderson, House of Representatives and Senate
West Virginia
- Rosemary Ketchum, Wheeling City Council, first out transgender individual elected
- Stephen Skinner, House of Delegates
Wisconsin
- Tammy Baldwin, House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
Wyoming
- Cathy Connolly, House of Representatives
