How many members of Congress identify as LGBTQ?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the data from the visual above, what was the first year an out (someone who is publicly and openly) LGBTQ candidate won a seat in the U.S. House.
According to the data from the graph above, as of 2025 what was the total number of out LGBTQ members of Congress.
Based on the visual above, describe the change over time in the number of out LGBTQ members of Congress and explain what caused that change.
Ed Koch (D) NY, Stewart McKinney (R) CT, and Barbara Jordan (D) TX, were all closeted (LGBTQ, but NOT out) representatives who served in the U.S. House in the 1970s. They were all posthumously (after their death) revealed to be LGBTQ. What about American political culture (general American political beliefs and values) and the U.S. political system explains why they chose to hide their sexual orientation in the 1970s and 1980s?
The other day in class, a student named Sarah said that sexual orientation of candidates doesn’t matter, and that people should vote for the best candidate, not just the one with the sexual orientation they prefer. Make a claim responding to Sarah’s statement.
The share of LGBTQ members of Congress (2.4%) continues to lag behind the overall share of Americans who identify as LGBTQ (9.3% in 2024, according to Gallup surveys). Why do you think that is?
The number of LGBTQ members matches the record high in the 118th Congress. It has increased significantly from the 111th Congress in 2009, which had three openly LGBTQ members. Despite gains in the Congress, Donald Trump has led a backlash against trans people. Based on your knowledge of American politics and the visual above, predict how many out members of Congress there will be after the 2026 midterm election.
Nationwide, 33 LGBTQ candidates are currently running for congress. According to the map below* how many out LGBTQ politicians represent your state at the local, state, and federal level?
The party affiliation of LGBTQ Americans is listed below.* Why do you think there is such a huge gap in party affiliation of LGBTQ Americans?
In the fight for civil rights and equality under the law, explain the connection between LGBTQ people today and women, African-Americans, and other minority groups in American history.
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Whatever your sexual orientation, if you will be 18 years old by Tuesday, November 8 then take two minutes and register to vote online. If you are too young to vote this year then find someone who is old enough and convince them to register.
Get Creative
Life in America today is very different for LGBTQ people than it was in 1787. Make a creative response to this idea.
Learn More*
Currently there are 12 out-LGBTQ members of the U.S. House and one out-LGBTQ members of the U.S. Senate.
