LGBTQ+ Midterm Election Wins to Celebrate Today

There’s no doubt that for many of us, watching last night’s midterm election results brought back harrowing memories of 2016, when we watched The New York Times' prediction needle slide achingly closer toward a Trump victory after weeks of being told by pollsters and pundits that Clinton was all but a shoo-in. Thankfully, last night did not yield those same nightmarish results. In fact, LGBTQ+ people have plenty of reasons to celebrate today.

Let’s begin in Kansas, where Sharice Davids became the nation’s first lesbian woman and the first Native American woman in Congress. (She shares the latter distinction with Deb Haaland, who won in New Mexico last night.) A member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, Davids is an ex-MMA fighter who worked on the Pine Ridge Reservation, where she served as the director of the economic development initiative at the Red Cloud Indian School. Voters also elected Susan Ruiz and Brandon Woodard to the Kansas House of Representatives.

In Colorado, Jared Polis became the first-ever openly gay governor elected in the United States, defeating Republican Walker Stapleton. Polis, according to his Twitter bio, self-identifies as a gaymer, which is no doubt a joyful win for that community as well. It should be noted that Oregon Governor Kate Brown, who is bisexual and was reelected last night, is the first person from the LGBTQ+ community to be elected governor, and former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey came out as gay before stepping down in the early aughts. Brown, by the way, won reelection last night.

In Minnesota, Democrat Angie Craig became the first lesbian woman in Congress after defeating Republican Jason Lewis, who once likened gay people to rapists. Karma, as it turns out, is a queer ally.

While many are rightfully mourning Florida’s governor race results, which saw Republican Ron DeSantis eke out a victory over Democrat Andrew Gillum, the state has some good news as well. Jennifer Webb became the first openly queer woman to serve in the Florida State Legislature.

New Hampshire elected Chris Pappas, the state's first openly gay member of Congress, as well as two trans women, Gerri Cannon and Lisa Bunker, to the House of Representatives. Major wins for the state all-around. Pennsylvania elected Malcolm Kenyatta, the first Black gay man elected to PA state legislature.

In terms of reelections, LGBTQ+ people are celebrating many victories. Mark Takano, the first openly gay person of color elected to Congress, was reelected in California. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who is pushing for universal healthcare and environmental protections, won reelection in MA. Senator Tammy Baldwin won her reelection campaign in Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania’s Brian Sims, the state’s first openly gay legislator, won his reelection campaign as well.

And it’s important to remember that it wasn’t just LGBTQ+ candidates who came through last night. Massachusetts voted “yes” on upholding a state law enacted in 2016 that protects transgender people from discrimination in public accommodations, like bathrooms, in the first-ever state referendum on trans rights. That the human rights of trans people was up for referendum in the first place is appalling, but the results nonetheless asserted trans rights at a time when they are under attack.

But perhaps the biggest victory of the night was in Florida, where voters approved an initiative that will allow formerly incarcerated people (who have completed their sentences) the right to vote. In one night, over 1 million people had their voting rights restored in the largest expansion in voting rights since the Voting Rights Act. That alone is a huge deal for LGBTQ+ people, but in case you need an example, here’s RuPaul’s Drag Race season four star Latrice Royale celebrating getting her rights back.

An honorable mention goes to Zach Wahls, who is famous for giving a speech in support of his lesbian moms and marriage equality in Iowa State Legislature in 2011. Wahls won his State Senate race, meaning he will occupy a seat in the very institution he delivered his speech to years ago.

A dishonorable mention goes to Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis (you might remember her!), who lost her reelection bid to Democrat Elwood Caudill Jr. in Kentucky. There’s no doubt that many LGBTQ+ people will be celebrating Davis’ defeat, but it should be noted that Caudill has also been accused of homophobia in the past.

All in all, the midterms were a mixed bag that skewed positive for progressives, despite some disappointing losses. One thing remains the case, however: This administration has put a target on the LGBTQ+ community — particularly on trans people — and last night’s results, while heartening, will not alleviate the immediate dangers queer people face. There is a lot of work yet to do, and we applaud the LGBTQ+ people who took major leaps in doing that work last night by running for office, organizing, working the polls, and voting.

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