A record number of LGBT candidates were elected to office during the 2010 election. That’s according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which endorsed 164 candidates. Of those, at least 106 are taking office.
“Out public officials are having a sizable impact on the local, state and national debates about LGBT equality,” said Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe “Increasing their numbers is a vital part of a long-term strategy to change America's politics and make our country freer and fairer for everyone.”
Among the new gay representatives are:
- Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline, who will become the fourth openly gay Member of Congress when the House convenes in January.
- Jim Gray's election as mayor of Lexington, Kentucky's second-largest city.
- Nickie Antonio's election to the Ohio House, making him the first openly LGBT person to serve in the state legislature.
- Marcus Brandon's election to the North Carolina House, making him the state's only openly gay state legislator and one of just five out African Americans to serve as state lawmakers.
- Victoria Kolakowski's election as a Superior Court judge in Alameda County, making her the first openly transgender judge in America.
