Data published this week by the LGBTQ Victory Fund shows that there are more than 1,000 candidates running for office this year who are out as LGBTQ+. There has never been as many openly LGBTQ+ candidates running for office in the U.S. Analysts believe that these record-breaking numbers indicate a shift in America’s political landscape. This could be a result of the general population’s increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ people or a reaction to the growing legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. More than 40% of these candidates are running for state legislative seats.
There are at least 1,008 openly LGBTQ+ candidates running for office in 2022, from school boards to congress. This breaks the previous record set in 2020, when 1,006 out LGBTQ+ candidates ran. 138 of this year’s openly LGBTQ+ candidates are running for federal office. The data was released by the LGBTQ Victory Fund which is an organization that works to elect LGBTQ+ candidates into office.
Out LGBTQ+ candidates are the most diverse slate of candidates in the nation’s history. 58% more candidates of color are running in 2022 compared to 2020. There’s also a 62% increase in transgender Americans running for office. There are only 11 members of congress who openly identify as LGBTQ+ right now and all of them are Democrats.