How many openly LGBTQ+ members Congress are there?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the data from the visual above, what was the first year an out (someone who is publicly and openly) LGBTQ candidate won a seat in the U.S. House.
According to the data from the graph above, as of 2025 what was the total number of out LGBTQ members of Congress.
Based on the visual above, describe one trend in the data.
What do you think best explains that change over time?
Ed Koch (D) NY, Stewart McKinney (R) CT, and Barbara Jordan (D) TX, were all closeted (LGBTQ, but NOT out) representatives who served in the U.S. House in the 1970s. They were all posthumously (after their death) revealed to be LGBTQ. What about American political culture (general American political beliefs and values) and the U.S. political system explains why they chose to hide their sexual orientation in the 1970s and 1980s?
The other day in class, a student named Beth said that sexual orientation of candidates doesn’t matter, and that people should vote for the best candidate, not just the one with the sexual orientation they prefer. Make a claim responding to Beth’s statement.
One senator and 12 members of the House of Representatives identify as lesbian, gay, transgender or queer as of Jan. 3, when the 119th Congress was sworn in. In the House, Sarah McBride of Delaware is the first openly transgender member of Congress. After her election, House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a rule that lawmakers and staff will have to use the restroom corresponding with their biological sex, a statement directed at Sarah McBride, the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. “All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” the Louisiana Republican said. “Women deserve women’s only spaces.” Where do you think Sarah McBride should go to the bathroom?
Based on the data from the visual below*, what demographic group is most supportive of LGBTQ candidates?
Members of Congress who are openly LGBTQ account for 2.4% of the 533 voting lawmakers sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025. But LGBTQ+ Americans made up 7.6% of the adult population overall in 2023, according to Gallup surveys. Why do you think there is a gap in LGBTQ population and representation?
All 13 openly LGBTQ members of the 119th Congress are Democrats. Why do you think there is such a huge gap in party affiliation of LGBTQ candidates?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Whatever your sexual orientation, take two minutes and register to vote online.
Get Creative
Imagine that George Washington learned that one day there would be a transgender member of the U.S. Congress. What do you think he would have thought?
Learn More*
According to Out in American, there are currently 13 out LGBTQ members of the U.S. House and two out LGBTQ members of the U.S. There are over 1231 out elected officials nationwide, including 3 governors.
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