Liliana Bakhtiari.
Atlanta Municipal Council
Bakhtiari, who uses both “they” and “she” pronouns, is also the city of Atlanta’s first nonbinary elected official. In an interview with NBC News in September 2022, she revealed that she is nonmonogamous and in a relationship with two partners.
In May, Karine Jean-Pierre became the first Black, openly LGBTQ+, and immigrant to serve as press secretary of the White House.
In May 2022, Karine Jean-Pierre addresses the press during a briefing at the White House.
AP Picture by Andrew Harnik
Jean-Pierre acknowledged the historic importance of her position on her first day on the job and hailed “generations of barrier-breaking people” for paving the road for her, according to Insider’s Nicole Gaudiano and Oma Seddiq.
“I am clearly very aware that my presence at this podium symbolizes a number of firsts: I am the first Black, lesbian, immigrant woman to hold this office,” she remarked. I would not be here if not for the generations of people who broke down barriers before me. I profit from their sacrifices, have learnt from their excellence, and will be eternally thankful to them.
In June, drag diva Maebe A. Girl became the first trans nonbinary person to progress to a House of Representatives general election.
Maebe A. Girl.
Emily Eizen
Girl who utilizes both “she” and “they” pronouns is running for the 30th District of California. She told the Los Angeles Times that drag performance and politics “had a lot in common.”
“When I perform drag, I host many shows,” they explained. “I’m on the mic, listening to people, and interacting with them. It’s very similar to being in a political setting where I’m giving a campaign speech. I’ve used every drag show that I’ve been in to talk about politics and my policies and let people know about our campaigns. It’s been a fantastic tool.”
Jessica Katzenmeyer became the first trans woman to win a primary election in Wisconsin in August.
Jessica Katzenmeyer.
Jessica Katzenmeyer
Katzenmeyer is running for the Wisconsin 5th District. If she wins in November, she will be the first openly transgender state senator in the state.
Katzenmeyer told Insider, “Representation matters because a political body comprised of a varied populace will bring new ideas to the table.” “Transgender identification is a significant aspect of my identity, but people should vote for me because they know I’ll fight for them.”
In November, for the first time in U.S. history, two openly LGBTQ+ candidates will compete against one another in a congressional election.
Robert Zimmerman (left) and George Santos.
Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan courtesy of Getty Images; George Santos For Congress.
In November, openly homosexual candidates Robert Zimmerman (Democrat) and George Santos (Republican) will vie for New York’s 3rd congressional district. The Hill said that the nature of the contest is already historic, and whoever wins will be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent a New York district.