The 2020 election has given the United States a step toward inclusive politics as three newly elected government officials are setting records.
In Delaware, Democrat Sarah McBride was elected as the first transgender state senator. She beat Republican Steve Washington, a special education teacher, by winning 73% of her district’s votes. However, Senator McBride has been making LGBTQ+ history for years.
Senator McBride was the first transgender speaker at a major party event when she presented at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. While interning at the White House during the Obama administration, she was the first publicly transgender White House staff member.
Senator McBride’s work in Delaware’s legislature also includes advocating for the gender discrimination act that was passed in 2013. She also has publicly advocated for the reformation of the criminal justice system, as well as for expanding healthcare and increasing the minimum wage.
In New York, Democrats Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones were elected as the two newest members of Congress. Upon inauguration, they will be considered the first openly gay congressmen of color. Congressman Torres will be the first openly gay Latinx member of Congress, as well as the first gay multiracial member of Congress. Congressman Jones will be the first openly gay African-American member of Congress.
When Torres began his political career in 2013, he was the youngest New York City Council member of all time, as well as the first openly gay member. This success inspired Jones to run for office as a publicly gay African-American. Their combined successes have cemented in modern American politics that minority groups have a voice, and that representation is crucial to achieving true equity.
Why is it important to have diverse representation in government? When the elected officials become more diverse/inclusive, it helps more issues be addressed.
With New York’s newest congressmen, they both advocate for supporting impoverished communities and funding education. In neighborhoods that are historically impoverished, these resources would improve employment opportunities, provide access to food and healthcare, and reduce crime rates.
McBride’s advocacy for ending gender discrimination would drastically change how women and gender–nonconforming people are being treated. Healthcare would improve by taking women and members of the LGBTQ+ community seriously, as they are largely ignored or mistreated by medical professionals. McBride’s work in ending child abuse has helped create safer environments within both homes and schools – especially for queer children.
By electing government officials who are racially/culturally diverse, the United States becomes a more compassionate nation. Having minority representation in government positions allows the overall population to realize the struggles that the majority of the population may not experience. By calling attention to these inequalities, a solution can be found.
The results of the 2020 election have given the LGBTQ+ community a sense of hope. After the 2016 elections, there were rumors that the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling would be revoked. With more members of the LGBTQ+ community being elected into government positions, then one less minority group will have their rights taken away. As more politicians of color run for office, the less room there is in the government for bigotry.
