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Representation matters. When marginalized groups see people like them in positions of power and leadership, it sends a compelling message that they, too, can aim for those roles and make a difference. This has been especially true for the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic/agender) politicians and leaders, whose visibility and presence in public office are very inspiring change and progress across the society.
Having openly LGBTQIA+ politicians helps to normalize and also promote acceptance of gender and sexual diversity. It shows that people from these communities can successfully take on leadership roles and makes it more likely that the younger generations will consider politics an option for themselves. Role models like these did not exist in the previous decades when homosexuality and also diversity in gender identity or expression were seen as taboo. But as more and more LGBTQIA+ leaders and politicians have become visible in recent years, it has challenged the assumptions about electability and who belongs in politics.
In the 1980s and 1990s, a few groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ politicians first got elected to public office, helping pave the way for those who came after them. These pioneers included people like Elaine Noble, the first openly lesbian or gay candidate elected to a state legislature in the U.S., along with Sherry Harris, the first openly lesbian or gay candidate elected the Mayor of a city like Seattle. They showed skeptical voters and also political parties that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves a seat - indeed, many seats - at the political table.
While the number was still low, the presence of a few open LGBTQIA+ politicians inspired more candidates to run. The 2004 election became known as the "rainbow wave" when many LGBTQIA+ politicians won office across the different levels of U.S. politics. One study found voters were more willing to support the LGBTQIA+ candidates once they realized some had already gotten elected, suggesting exposure and visibility of pioneers change public attitudes over time to be more inclusive.
As more LGBTQIA+ politicians have gained visibility in office over the past 20 years, they're no longer seen as tokenized one-off candidates. Power and inspiration come from seeing a critical mass of leaders from your community, whether in Congress, the governorships, or city councils and school boards. And the more people get elected, the more it persuades young LGBTQIA+ people to run someday.
High-profile LGBTQIA+ politicians also tend to promote and sponsor legislation advancing rights and equality when they're in office. For example, Senator Tammy Baldwin, one of the first openly gay people elected to Congress in the 1990s, later co-sponsored the Equality Act after she became the first openly lesbian or gay person elected to the U.S. Senate. Having LGBTQIA+ voices in the room informs the lawmaking and brings attention to community issues. Allies matter tremendously, but lived experience gives a unique perspective.
While Congress and presidential elections garner the most attention, representation in local and state-level offices also provides critical visibility. Local politicians often interact more directly with their constituents and oversee the policies impacting their communities. School boards, city councils, mayors, and state legislatures are pipelines to the higher national offices. It's typically easier for marginalized candidates to get elected locally and then leverage that success to run for Congress.
For example, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker spent many years involved with local LGBTQIA+ activism before successfully running for city council and eventually becoming Houston's first openly lesbian or gay Mayor in 2009. Well-qualified local leaders like Mayor Parker sometimes aim for higher office once they've built up credibility, name recognition, and a successful track record from serving their cities.
Having "out" role models in the office at all levels of government shows the next generation of LGBTQIA+ youth that a future in politics is very possible for them. Recent surveys find that over 12% of Generation Z adults identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. So, as more Zoomers come of age, we may see a lot more transgender, non-binary, and also genderfluid young people run for office someday.
But visibility and representation, while very important, are just the first steps. Policy change and substantive equality are still lacking in many areas of LGBTQIA+ rights. Politicians from marginalized groups too often face a lot of unfair scrutiny compared to their straight, cisgender peers. Still, the presence of many proud openly LGBTQIA+ politicians - past, present, and future – sends the critical message to the queer youth that your gender identity and sexuality should not limit your ambitions. And that message inspires a change in society.
Presented by SHAVA, this article is part of our commitment to embracing the diversity within the transgender community. SHAVA stands in solidarity with transgender people of color, advocating for acceptance and allyship that recognize and celebrate the richness of their diverse experiences.
