This Pride month, we’re learning LGBTQ+ elected officials continue to see gains across the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico — particularly Latinx people and other communities of color.
According to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s “Out for America 2023” report, the number of Latinx LGBTQ+ elected officials has increased by about 27 percent since 2022 — and has more than tripled since the report started tracking this data in 2017. The report spans a variety of elected positions, including school boards, city councils, mayors and members of Congress.
That’s the second-highest rate of growth among any ethnic or racial demographic listed after Middle Eastern/Arab American LGBTQ+ elected officials, who saw a 120% increase.
Across the board, LGBTQ+ elected officials of color increased by 23.3 percent in the last year — and the number of LGBTQ+ officeholders overall has increased by 13.6 percent.
“LGBTQ+ leaders are our best firewall against the homophobia and transphobia sweeping our communities,” writes Annise Parker, President & CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. “We must double down on our efforts to inspire, train and support future LGBTQ+ candidates – our rights will depend on it.”
You can check ou the Victory Institute’s comprehensive map of LGBTQ+ elected officials, and learn more about them, here.