U.S. Congress | Good News For Humankind

The number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the U.S. has tripled since 2017

By Peter Schulte / June 25, 2025 / Good News For Humankind

This year’s Out for America report from the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute showed an overall 2.4% increase in out LGBTQ+ representation between June 2024 and May 2025 and a 198% increase since the organization, which provides training and support for out candidates, first launched the report in 2017. While the majority of LGBTQ+ elected officials serve in state and local offices, 2025 saw a 33% increase in the number of out U.S. House representatives, bringing the total number to 12.

Sarah McBride makes history as first trans member of U.S. Congress

By Peter Schulte / November 5, 2024 / Good news links

Her recent election win makes McBride the first out transgender person to serve in Congress. She beat her Republican opponent, John Whalen III, who ran on an anti-immigration, anti-choice platform. At only 34, McBride has already made an impressive name for herself, with her seat in Congress adding yet another “first” to the list. After working for the Human Rights Campaign and interning in the Obama-Biden White House, the 2020 elections in her home state of Delaware made her the first trans person elected to a state senate.

Laphonza Butler sworn in as U.S. Senator

Laphonza Butler of California becomes the first out LGBTQ+ senator of color in the U.S.

By Peter Schulte / October 4, 2023 / Good news links

Butler has served as a senior strategist in VP Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, has worked as the director for public policy and campaigns at Airbnb, served as president of the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union, and served on the University of California Board of Regents.