Meet Gerhard Hernández, Costa Rica's first trans elected official — and a Gen Z Coldplay fan
"What I would like to do in politics is bring in opportunities for those who don't have them yet," Gerhard Hernández tells The Advocate.
October 1, 2025
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elected official
Republicans strip Louisiana's only LGBTQ+ elected official of leadership role
Davante Lewis tells The Advocate about his removal as vice chairman on Louisiana's Public Service Commission, which he believes was racially and politically motivated.
February 20, 2025
Kentucky's first transgender elected official wants you to get involved in local politics
Rebecca Blankenship recently spoke to The Advocate about how LGBTQ+ people can fight back against state legislatures' attacks on the community.
February 2, 2024
LGBT Officials Elected in Australia, Venezuela
Australia's House of Representatives gets its first openly gay member, Venezuela's National Assembly its first trans officeholder.
December 7, 2015
14 transgender elected officials you should know
These trans politicians are breaking barriers around the nation.
November 29, 2024
West Virginia Elects First Out Transgender Official
Rosemary Ketchum won a seat on the Wheeling City Council in Tuesday's election.
June 9, 2020
Meet America's (Shockingly Few) Trans Elected Officials
As part of Transgender Awareness Week, we take a look at the men and women who are finally breaking the glass ceiling of elected office.
November 14, 2012
Rights Groups, Elected Officials Applaud Respect for Marriage Act
Many are thrilled with Biden's signing of the marriage equality bill, but they note that more work remains to protect the LGBTQ+ community.
December 13, 2022
Erick Russell Is First Black Gay Statewide Elected Official
Russell has been elected Connecticut state treasurer.
November 9, 2022
Arizona Elected Official Thinks Gay Men Die at 42
"Alcoholism is harmful too, but we don't see groups promoting alcoholism."
August 15, 2019
Elected Officials Condemn Trans Military Ban With New Resolution
The resolution adopted today is nonbinding but still sends a strong message, supporters say.
March 28, 2019
Wis. Man Becomes the State's First Trans Elected Official
A resident of Appleton, Wis., since 2000, Gypsy Vered Meltzer became the state's first transgender elected official.
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April 3, 2014
Nonbinary representation in government is on the rise with a record number of out elected officials
That's the latest data in the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's "Out For America" report.
July 11, 2024
Kathy Kozachenko, First Out Elected Official in U.S., to be Honored in Michigan
The statue’s dedication it timed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her historic election.
September 11, 2023
Out LGBTQ+ Elected Officials Jump to Record Level in Past Year
There are at least 1,043 out LGBTQ+ people in elected office around the nation, up 5.8 percent from a year ago.
August 19, 2022
The U.S. Will Now Have 1,000 Out Elected Officials in Historic First
Victories in Tuesday's election will push the number over that mark when all the winners take office, and the candidates represent the diversity of the LGBTQ+ population.
November 4, 2021
Sepi Shyne Paves a Way as the 1st Queer Iranian Elected Official
Introducing the first queer Iranian-American elected to political office.
February 18, 2021
Stephanie Byers Wins to Become Kansas's 1st Trans Elected Official
As member of the Chickasaw Nation, Byers pulled off another national first.
November 4, 2020
Montana Could Elect Its First Out Statewide Official Tuesday
Bryce Bennett, running for secretary of state, has a passion for voting rights and for representation.
November 2, 2020
Salt Lake City Elects Lesbian Mayor, Jackie Biskupski
A canvass confirms Biskupski's win, making her the first openly LGBT person to be elected mayor of Salt Lake City.
November 17, 2015