Three newly elected lawmakers representing the LGBTQ community will make history Friday when they are sworn into the 119th Congress, making several firsts in the House of Representatives.
Sarah McBride He will be the first openly transgender member of Congress She will represent Delaware’s only congressional district in the House of Representatives after more than three years in the state Senate, marking a historic first for trans representation in the state senate.
Representative-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE) poses for a photo after joining other students from the 119th Congress for a group photo on the steps of the House of Representatives in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, November 15, 2024. .
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Julie Johnson, who will be the first LGBTQ+ member of Congress from the South, has served in the Texas state legislature since 2018. During his campaign for the congressional seat, he highlighted his record in fighting against anti-LGBTQ bills at the state level. passions as legislators.
Emily Randall will be the first LGBTQ Latina in Congress after serving as a Washington state senator since 2018.
Representative-elect Emily Randall (D-WA) poses for a photo after joining other students from the 119th Congress for a group photo on the steps of the House of Representatives in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, November 15, 2024. .
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Texas Rep.-elect Julie Johnson poses for a photo on the steps of the House of Representatives in the Capitol building after the first members of Congress pose for a class photo on November 15, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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The 118th Congress set a record for having the most LGBTQ representation in US history, with 13 members of Congress identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual. This year’s list of sworn members comes as the country grapples with increasing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and violence.
In the 2024 state legislature, the ACLU tracked more than 500 bills that it says are “anti-LGBTQ.” Transgender – make up less than 1% of Americans over the age of 13, according to UCLA’s research institute. Williams Institute — have been particularly subject to that legislation, including restrictions bathroom use for transgender residents, prohibitions to preserve gender affirmationand more
In recent years, federal and local authorities He warned about the increase in the year violence Against the LGBTQ community.
McBride has received backlash from some colleagues before being sworn in. Republican Nancy Mace introduced the bill in November. limit transgender women For using the women’s restrooms in the US Capitol, the bill said “absolutely” he replied to join McBride’s Congress. She cited concerns about her safety in the restrooms, to which McBride responded by calling the bill a distraction. The bill is now dead.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said transgender women cannot use women’s restrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms in the Capitol and House office buildings. As for how Johnson plans to enforce this policy, it’s not entirely clear if the Speaker is re-elected, but the Speaker has “general control” of the facility, according to House rules.
McBride responded to the order: “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to keep costs down for families. Like all members, I will follow the rules outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I don’t agree with them.
LGBTQ groups applauded the incoming lawmakers “at a time when the fight for equality and justice faces unprecedented opposition,” Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement to ABC News.
“The American people deserve a bold vision for our country, led by champions who bring their often unheard experiences to the table,” Robinson said in the statement. “Through their living examples and their careers, they have proven themselves to be leaders in the advancement of equality and civil rights. That’s why we were proud to mobilize our grassroots forces last year to support their races so that every LGBTQ+ American can have a voice in Washington.”
