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→‎Senate: Changed image of Laphonza Butler image to a portrait from her Senate website
The previous phrasing made it sound like must Koch must have been gay because the NYT said so, I've made the phrasing more neutral. The ideal description would summarize the specific evidence, but I can't read the article.
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| January 3, 1969
| January 3, 1969
| December 31, 1977
| December 31, 1977
| width=300| Koch denied he was gay throughout his life, but his sexuality was confirmed in a 2022 article in ''The New York Times''. This makes him the earliest known LGBT member of Congress<ref name = NYT22>{{Cite news|last1=Flegenheimer|first1=Matt|last2=Goldensohn|first2=Rosa|title=The Secrets Ed Koch Carried |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/nyregion/ed-koch-gay-secrets.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 7, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><br>Resigned to [[1977 New York City mayoral election|run successfully]] for [[mayor of New York City]].
| width=300| Koch denied he was gay throughout his life, but a 2022 article in ''The New York Times'' identified him as such. This would make him the earliest known LGBT member of Congress<ref name = NYT22>{{Cite news|last1=Flegenheimer|first1=Matt|last2=Goldensohn|first2=Rosa|title=The Secrets Ed Koch Carried |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/nyregion/ed-koch-gay-secrets.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 7, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><br>Resigned to [[1977 New York City mayoral election|run successfully]] for [[mayor of New York City]].
|- style="background:#b4ddb4"
|- style="background:#b4ddb4"
| data-sort-value="McKinney, Stewart" | [[File:Stewart McKinney.jpg|100px]]
| data-sort-value="McKinney, Stewart" | [[File:Stewart McKinney.jpg|100px]]

Revision as of 19:27, 19 November 2023

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

As of October 2023, 33 members of the LGBT community are known to have held office in the United States Congress. In the House, 29 LGBT people held office; in the Senate, 4 held office. Two people, Tammy Baldwin and Kyrsten Sinema, served in the House and were later elected into the Senate. The earliest known LGBT congressperson was Ed Koch, who began his term in the House in 1969. The earliest known LGBT senator is Harris Wofford, who began his term in 1991. Both men were not out during their tenure: Koch's sexuality was confirmed after his death and Wofford announced his plans to marry a man over 20 years after serving in the Senate. There are no known transgender congresspeople.

There are 14 openly LGBT members of the current (118th) Congress, most of whom are Democrats. Three are senators and the rest are House representatives. This constitutes the most LGBT congresspeople serving at the same time in U.S. history.[1][2]

Senate

† Came out after serving ‡ Posthumously identified as LGBT

Senator Party State Term Notes
Start End
Harris Wofford† Democratic Pennsylvania May 8, 1991 January 3, 1995 Announced his marriage to a man in 2016, which makes him the earliest known LGBT senator.[3][4]
Lost reelection in 1994.
Tammy Baldwin Democratic Wisconsin January 3, 2013 Incumbent As an openly lesbian woman, Baldwin is the first openly LGBT senator.[1][5][6]
Kyrsten Sinema Democratic
(2019–2022) 		Arizona January 3, 2019 Incumbent Sinema is the first openly bisexual senator.[1][7]
Independent
(2022–present)
Laphonza Butler Democratic California October 3, 2023 Incumbent Butler is the first openly LGBT African-American senator.[8][9]

House of Representatives

† Came out after serving ‡ Posthumously identified as LGBT

Representative Party State Term Notes
Start End
Ed Koch‡ Democratic New York January 3, 1969 December 31, 1977 Koch denied he was gay throughout his life, but a 2022 article in The New York Times identified him as such. This would make him the earliest known LGBT member of Congress[10]
Resigned to run successfully for mayor of New York City.
Stewart McKinney‡ Republican Connecticut January 3, 1971 May 7, 1987 After dying in office of AIDS, McKinney was outed as bisexual in his obituary.[4][11][12][13][14][15]
Barbara Jordan‡ Democratic Texas January 3, 1973 January 3, 1979 Jordan's domestic partnership with Nancy Earl was revealed in her obituary in 1996, making her the first LGBT woman in Congress (per the U.S. National Archives).[16][17]
Retired
Gerry Studds Democratic Massachusetts January 3, 1973 January 3, 1997 Came out as gay as a result of his implication in the 1983 congressional page sex scandal.[18] He became the first openly LGBT person to win election to Congress with his reelection in 1984.[4]
Retired.
Robert Bauman Republican Maryland August 21, 1973 January 3, 1981 Outed as gay in October 1980 while in office, making him the first openly LGBT member of Congress.[19][20][4]
Lost reelection.
Jon Hinson Republican Mississippi January 3, 1979 April 13, 1981 Outed as gay after being arrested on a charge of oral sodomy on February 4, 1981.[21][4]
Resigned.
Barney Frank Democratic Massachusetts January 3, 1981 January 3, 2013 Came out as gay in 1987 and in 2012 became the first member of Congress in a same-sex marriage.[4][22][23]
Retired.
Steve Gunderson Republican Wisconsin January 3, 1981 January 3, 1997 Outed as gay on the floor of the House in 1994, Gunderson was the first openly gay Republican to be reelected after being outed.[24][25][4]
Retired.
Jim Kolbe Republican Arizona January 3, 1985 January 3, 2007 Came out as gay while in office after voting for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. He was the first openly gay person to address the Republican National Convention.[26][27][28][4]
Retired.
Michael Huffington† Republican California January 3, 1993 January 3, 1995 Came out as bisexual in 1998.[4][29]
Retired to run unsuccessfully for U.S. senator from California.
Mark Foley Republican Florida January 3, 1995 September 29, 2006 Came out as gay after being implicated in a 2006 congressional page scandal.[30]
Resigned.
Tammy Baldwin Democratic Wisconsin January 3, 1999 January 3, 2013 Openly lesbian.
First openly LGBT non-incumbent elected to Congress.[5][4]
Retired to run successfully for U.S. senator from Wisconsin.
Mike Michaud Democratic Maine January 3, 2003 January 3, 2015 Came out as gay in 2013.[31][32][4]
Retired to run unsuccessfully for Governor of Maine.
Jared Polis Democratic Colorado January 3, 2009 January 3, 2019 In 2011, Polis became the first same-sex parent in Congress.[4][33][6][34]
Retired to run successfully for Governor of Colorado.
Aaron Schock† Republican Illinois January 3, 2009 March 31, 2015 Came out as gay in 2020.[35]
Resigned.
David Cicilline Democratic Rhode Island January 3, 2011 May 31, 2023 Openly gay.[1][4][6]
Resigned.
Sean Patrick Maloney Democratic New York January 3, 2013 January 3, 2023 Openly gay.[1][4][6]
Lost reelection
Mark Pocan Democratic Wisconsin January 3, 2013 Incumbent Openly gay.
First LGBT member of Congress to replace another LGBT member of Congress (Tammy Baldwin) and the first non-incumbent in a same-sex marriage elected to Congress.[1][4][6][36]
Kyrsten Sinema Democratic Arizona January 3, 2013 January 3, 2019 First openly bisexual member of Congress.[4][6][37]
Retired to run successfully for U.S. Senator from Arizona.
Mark Takano Democratic California January 3, 2013 Incumbent Openly gay.
First openly LGBT person of color (specifically Asian American) elected to Congress.[1][6]
Angie Craig Democratic–Farmer–Labor Minnesota January 3, 2019 Incumbent Openly lesbian.
The first non-incumbent LGBT parent elected to Congress.[1][38]
Sharice Davids Democratic Kansas January 3, 2019 Incumbent Openly lesbian.
The first openly LGBT woman of color (specifically Native American) elected to Congress.[1][39]
Katie Hill Democratic California January 3, 2019 November 1, 2019 Openly bisexual.[40]
Resigned.
Chris Pappas Democratic New Hampshire January 3, 2019 Incumbent Openly gay.[1][41]
Mondaire Jones Democratic New York January 3, 2021 January 3, 2023 Along with Ritchie Torres, the first openly gay African-American elected to Congress.[1][42]
Lost renomination.
Ritchie Torres Democratic New York January 3, 2021 Incumbent Along with Mondaire Jones, the first openly gay African-American elected to Congress,[42] and the first openly gay Hispanic member of Congress.[1]
Becca Balint Democratic Vermont January 3, 2023 Incumbent Openly lesbian.[43]
Robert Garcia Democratic California January 3, 2023 Incumbent Openly gay.[44]

George Santos Republican New York January 3, 2023 Incumbent Openly gay.[45]
First openly LGBT non-incumbent Republican elected to Congress.[a]
Eric Sorensen Democratic Illinois January 3, 2023 Incumbent Openly gay.[47]

Shadow representatives

Representative Party Jurisdiction Term Notes
Start End
Sabrina Sojourner Democratic District of Columbia January 3, 1997 January 3, 1999 The Shadow Representative for the District of Columbia is a position to facilitate the District's statehood movement and is not recognized by Congress.[48][49]
Declined to run for reelection.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ This also marked the first election in which both major party candidates (Santos and Democrat Rob Zimmerman) were openly LGBT[46]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Flores, Andrew; Gossett, Charles; Magni, Gabriele; Reynolds, Andrew (November 30, 2020). "11 openly LGBTQ lawmakers will take their seats in the next Congress. That's a record in both numbers and diversity". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  2. ^ LeBlanc, Paul. "Rep. Katie Hill announces resignation amid allegations of improper relationships with staffers". CNN. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  3. ^ Wofford, Harris (April 23, 2016). "Finding love again, this time with a man". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2016. Too often, our society seeks to label people by pinning them on the wall – straight, gay or in between. I don't categorize myself based on the gender of those I love. I had a half-century of marriage with a wonderful woman, and now am lucky for a second time to have found happiness.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Illsley, C. L. (May 31, 2019). "Openly LGBT Members Of Congress". WorldAtlas. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  5. ^ a b O'Brien, Brendan (October 19, 2012). "Wisconsin's Baldwin becomes first openly gay senator". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Olugbemiga, Ayobami (February 4, 2014). "Capitol Hill: The 7 Openly Gay and Lesbian Members of Congress". DC Inno. Business Journals. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  7. ^ Vagianos, Alanna (January 3, 2019). "Kyrsten Sinema Makes History As First Openly Bisexual Person Sworn In To Senate". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  8. ^ Reston, Maeve; Pager, Tyler (October 1, 2023). "Newsom taps Emily's List leader to fill Feinstein's Senate seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Hubler, Shawn (October 1, 2023). "Newsom Names Emily's List President as Feinstein Successor". The New York Times. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Flegenheimer, Matt; Goldensohn, Rosa (May 7, 2022). "The Secrets Ed Koch Carried". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "AIDS Makes Another Chilling Advance, Claiming the Life of a Congressman". People. May 25, 1987. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  12. ^ Houston, Paul (May 8, 1987). "Connecticut's McKinney, GOP Liberal, Dies of AIDS". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  13. ^ Kimmey, Samantha (December 20, 2012). "Rep. Barney Frank Comments on Scalia, Prostitution, Marijuana and More". The Raw Story. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  14. ^ "Congressman Killed by AIDS Led Secret Life, Gay Man Claims". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. August 23, 1989. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  15. ^ May, Clifford D. (May 9, 1987). "Friends Say McKinney Had Homosexual Sex". The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  16. ^ Bartgis, Rachel (June 10, 2021). Kratz, Jessie (ed.). "LGBTQ+ History Month: Barbara Jordan". Pieces of History. U.S. National Archives. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021.
  17. ^ Henderson, Kali. "Barbara Jordan | LGBT African Americans (2014) by Kali Henderson and Dionn McDonald". OutHistory.org. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  18. ^ "Housecleaning". Time. July 25, 1983. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006.
  19. ^ Bauman, Robert (August 1986). The Gentleman from Maryland: The Conscience of a Gay Conservative. Arbor House. pp. 1–3. ISBN 978-0877956860.
  20. ^ Kelly, Jacques (April 5, 2008). "Whatever happened to . . . Robert E. Bauman?". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  21. ^ "Jon Hinson, 53, Congressman and Then Gay-Rights Advocate". New York Times. July 26, 1995. p. 19. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  22. ^ O'Keefe, Ed (December 3, 2012). "When Barney Frank announced he was 'coming out of the room' (er... the closet)". The Washington Post.
  23. ^ "DC's Most Influential Gay Couple Calls It Quits". Tuscaloosa News. July 3, 1998. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  24. ^ Bergling, Tim (May 11, 2004). "Closeted in the capital: they're powerful, Republican, and gay. Will the marriage battle finally get them to come out to their bosses?". The Advocate. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  25. ^ Bierbauer, Charles (November 28, 1997). "Gunderson Leaves 'Increasingly Polarized' House". CNN. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  26. ^ Dunlap, David W. (August 3, 1996). "A Republican Congressman Discloses He Is a Homosexual". New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  27. ^ Campbell, Julia (August 1, 2000). "Openly Gay Congressman Addresses Convention". ABC News.
  28. ^ Eaklor, Vicki Lynn (2008). Queer America: a GLBT history of the 20th century. ABC-CLIO. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-313-33749-9.
  29. ^ King, Ryan James (May 22, 2006). "Michael Huffington: The long-awaited Advocate interview". The Advocate. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  30. ^ "Foley lawyer makes statement". CNN. October 2, 2006. Retrieved October 4, 2006.
  31. ^ Cousins, Christopher (November 5, 2013). "Michaud: 'I haven't changed. I'm Mike.'". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  32. ^ Michaud, Mike (November 4, 2013). "Rep. Michaud's op-ed column: Yes, I'm gay. Now let's get our state back on track". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  33. ^ Parkinson, John (September 30, 2011). "House Democrat Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent in Congress". ABC News. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  34. ^ Anderson, James; Slevin, Colleen (January 9, 2019). "Colorado's Jared Polis Makes History as Gay Governor". Associated Press. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  35. ^ Coleman, Justin (March 5, 2020). "Former GOP Rep. Aaron Schock comes out as gay". The Hill. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  36. ^ Craver, Jack (May 11, 2013). "Mark Pocan's husband finally recognized as congressional 'spouse'". Capital Times. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  37. ^ Fitzsimons, Tom (November 3, 2018). "Kyrsten Sinema makes history as first bisexual member of U.S. Senate". NBC News. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  38. ^ "Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig, a former health care executive, is the first lesbian mother to be elected to Congress". WJCT. Retrieved January 19, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  39. ^ Sopelsa, Brooke; Fitzsimons, Tim (November 7, 2018). "Sharice Davids, a lesbian Native American, makes political history in Kansas". NBC News. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  40. ^ North, Anna (October 28, 2019). "Revenge porn, biphobia, and alleged relationships with staffers: The complicated story around Rep. Katie Hill, explained". Vox. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  41. ^ Verhovek, John (November 3, 2018). "New Hampshire could elect its first openly gay congressman". ABC News. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  42. ^ a b Avery, Dan (November 6, 2020). "Mondaire Jones joins Ritchie Torres as first gay Black men elected to Congress". NBC News. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  43. ^ Rathke, Lisa (November 8, 2022). "Becca Balint becomes Vermont's 1st woman elected to Congress". PBS News Hour.
  44. ^ Fox11 Digital Team (November 8, 2022). "Robert Garcia makes history as first LGBTQ immigrant to serve in Congress". KTTV.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  45. ^ "In a political first, two gay candidates face off in congressional election". NBC News. September 22, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  46. ^ Moreau, Julie (September 22, 2022). "In a political first, two gay candidates face off in congressional election". nbcnews.com. NBC. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  47. ^ Denham, Ryan; Johnson, Brady; Shelley, Tim (November 9, 2022). "Eric Sorensen declares victory in 17th Congressional District". WGLT.
  48. ^ Hamilton, Martha. "Washingtonpost.com: Retirement". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  49. ^ Yeager, Kenneth S. (2019). Trailblazers : profiles of America's gay and lesbian elected officials. Routledge. ISBN 9781317712305. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
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