Spurred in part by the scores of anti-LGBTQ laws being proposed in state legislatures, this election cycle is seeing a record number of LGBTQ candidates running for all levels of office this year.
NEW: At least 104 LGBTQ candidates have mounted campaigns for House or Senate seats this year, motivated in part by red states passing scores of laws targeting LGBTQ people. https://t.co/rjjFQJTRSD
— Sophia Cai (@SophiaCai99) June 21, 2022
From Axios:
Why it matters: LGBTQ voters are among the fastest-growing parts of the electorate, and also have higher turnout than other voters. Yet there are only 11 out LGBTQ lawmakers serving in Congress.
What we’re watching: At least 104 LGBTQ candidates have mounted campaigns for House or Senate seats this year. Some of those campaigns have already ended, but as of last week, 57 candidates are still actively running, according to data provided to Axios by the Victory Fund, which supports and tracks LGBTQ leaders.
That’s a nearly 20% increase in LGBTQ congressional candidates compared to the 2020 election cycle, when 87 people ran.
Read the full article here.
Related: Over 20 Out LGBTQ Candidates Won Their Primary Races In Texas
Candidates seeking office at the state level say discriminatory laws have been a big motivating factor in their decision to seek a seat in their legislatures.
Jim Obergefell, whose lawsuit led to the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, told Axios of his decision to run for Ohio state house: “It was really just the realization that my experience fighting for marriage really did have a profound impact on me, and just this need to continue doing what’s right.”
A record number of LGBTQ candidates are running for all levels of office this year, motivated in part by red states passing scores of laws targeting LGBTQ people. https://t.co/Kr9tTHkT8J
— RELENTLESSLY Gay (@queertardo) June 21, 2022