Reasons to Have Pride in 2012, Part 4

Because the next freshman congressional class may have some new LGBT faces 

Barney Frank is retiring at the end of the current term after more than 30 years in office, and Tammy Baldwin, America’s first openly gay congresswoman, is in the political race of her life for retiring Wisconsin senator Herb Kohl’s seat. When both lawmakers leave the House of Representatives, the number of out gay members could drop by half. Or it could grow: LGBT people from California to New Jersey are seeking congressional office in November, and many of them have a good chance of winning. They include Kyrsten Sinema (pictured), an Arizona state legislator; Mark Takano, a Democratic candidate for Southern California’s 41st district; and Richard Tisei, a Republican vying for a seat in Massachusetts. All have been endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.