Summary

The 2022 midterm elections in the United States marked a historic advancement for transgender rights, with a record number of transgender individuals elected to state legislatures, including the first openly trans man, non-binary person, and additional trans women.

Abstract

The 2022 U.S. midterm elections saw a significant increase in LGBTQ+ representation in state legislatures, with a notable surge in the number of transgender individuals holding public office. This wave of election victories included several historic firsts: James Roesener of New Hampshire became the first out trans man elected to a state legislature, SJ Howell of Montana was elected as the first non-binary state legislator, and Minnesota elected its first out trans state legislator, Leigh Finke, alongside another trans woman, Erin Maye Quade. These outcomes reflect a broader trend of growing LGBTQ+ political influence, as reported by the Victory Institute, which documented a 5.8 percent increase in LGBTQ+ elected officials since 2021. The election results are celebrated as a rebuke to transphobic rhetoric and policies, signaling a shift towards more inclusive and diverse governance.

Opinions

The Department of Justice's ruling to protect minority and marginalized writers from a major publishing merger was met with joy and seen as a victory for queer priorities.
The increase in LGBTQ+ representation, particularly the tenfold rise in non-cisgender elected officials over the past five years, is viewed as a triumph for the queer community and its allies.
The election of transgender and non-binary candidates is perceived as a direct challenge to the transphobic policies and narratives promoted by conservative groups and politicians.
The success of these candidates, such as James Roesener, SJ Howell, Leigh Finke, and Zooey Zephyr, is celebrated as an inspiration for other transgender and non-binary individuals to engage in politics and public service.
The victories are seen as a repudiation of the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment that has been prevalent in some political circles, with activists like Joni Madison emphasizing the importance of continued resistance against extremist agendas.
The outcomes of the midterm elections are interpreted as a mandate for policies that support LGBTQ+ rights, including access to healthcare, abortion rights, and the expansion of nondiscrimination laws.

Midterm Elections Deliver Record Number Of Trans People To State Legislatures

New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Montana join the right side of politics, electing first openly trans man, as well as nonbinary person and two additional trans women.

Graphic by author, elements from photos by Hello I’m Nik, Kelly Sikkema, and Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash

2022 Reasons for Queer Pride

2022 continues to deliver good reason not just for cautious optimism, but for joyous celebration.

All too often, people in our LGBTQ2S+ community don’t have the government on their side. But gather round, and hear the tale of a blue wave turning into a rainbow-colored tsunami.

A sea is just one drop joined with many

First, the DOJ made a ruling (Justice.gov) that will protect minority and marginalized writers from what would have been the biggest merger in publishing history. I jumped for joy, least of all for whatever contribution my reporting at Xtra Magazine contributed to the outcome.

Whoever thought the government would be on our side?

A vital component to winning battles for the queer community means winning hearts for queer priorities. But the battle is all the easier when the people representing us are also queer.

Data captured 11/10/22 (Out For America)

The Victory Institute reports that between 2021 and 2022:

LGBTQ elected officials increased by 5.8 percent, with 1,043 currently serving
Non-cisgender elected officials have increased more than tenfold in last five years (from 6 in 2017 to 77 in 2022)
Nonbinary/genderqueer elected officials increased by one third (from 9 to 12)
Transgender elected officials grew by 9.8 percent (from 41 to 45)
10 states have fewer LGBTQ elected officials than they did in 2021, while 22 states have more
Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Dakota are the only states with zero known LGBTQ state legislators

The 2022 mid-terms threatened to undo all that progress

Elections have consequences, and historically, the mid-terms reverse the flow of power to whichever political party doesn’t hold the Presidency.

But take that Tucker Carlson! STFU Matt Walsh! Even Trump is reported to be fuming. Not only were the results devastating for the GOP, they were record-breaking for trans and non-binary people.

Newly elected trans and non-binary reps include:

James Roesner

In New Hampshire, Democrat James Roesener became the first out trans man elected to a state legislature in U.S. history. There are currently just eight out trans state legislators across the country, none of whom are trans men, according to the Victory Fund. (Xtra Magazine)

Roesener is a bisexual 26-year-old living in Concord, New Hampshire with his wife and cat. His website lists some of the issues he campaigned on, including increasing access to healthcare by fighting for affordable and comprehensive care for all and by expanding nondiscrimination laws. (Them.Us)

Roesener also stated that he is committed to repealing New Hampshire’s extant abortion bans and fighting for Medicaid coverage of abortion and related services. Among many other issues, Roesner also supports legislation that ensures protections for LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. (Them.Us)

SJ Howell

Also in Montana, Democrat SJ Howell became the first out non-binary state legislator. Both Howell and Zephyr were heavily favoured to win their races going into the midterm election. (Xtra)

Howell told the Montana Free Press in June that their goal “is not just to be the first trans non-binary elected legislator, but to be one of many. To be one of many queer and trans voices in the Capitol, to be one of many queer and trans folks involved in lawmaking.” (LGBTQ Nation)

Howell is the executive director of the advocacy group Montana Women Vote and decided to run for office after repeatedly lobbying for progressive policies. (LGBTQ Nation)

Leigh Finke

In Minnesota, Democrat Leigh Finke became the first out trans state legislator in [Minnesota] — as well as one of the first out queer women elected to the state’s legislature, along with Erin Maye Quade. (Xtra)

Finke received over 80 percent of the vote in the district. (Xtra)

Shelby, who is non-binary and preferred to be quoted by their first name, shared with Xtra that they had tears in her eyes when they realized that they helped elect Leigh Finke, the first out transgender woman elected to the State House. (Xtra)

Last year, Finke spoke at a rally for former Hastings, Minnesota school board chair Kelsey Waits, who faced harassment after her daughter Kit was outed as transgender. (LGBTQ Nation)

From safeguarding abortion rights to addressing societal inequities, she has a vision for the future that voters are clearly enthusiastic about. (LGBTQ Nation)

Her win is a clear and deafening rebuke to the transphobia currently sweeping our communities and her success will inspire other trans people to step up and run. When our rights are on the ballot, we cannot stay silent. Leigh proves we must continue running for office in record numbers because when we run, we win. (LGBTQ Nation)

Zooey Zephyr

In Montana, Zooey Zephyr became the first out trans person ever elected to the [Montana] state legislature. (Xtra)

Zephyr decided to run after testifying before the Montana legislature against an anti-trans sports bill. (LGBTQ Nation)

If we don’t have people in the room trying to stop it, we’ll never be able to move the needle on this stuff. (LGBTQ Nation)

Tonight is a resounding win for Montana and for trans people across the country. From tackling the housing crisis to securing affordable health care, Zooey is ready to enact policy founded in equity and fairness. Montana, like so many other communities, has seen a deluge of transphobia and bigotry this year. Zooey courageously ran despite this divisiveness and her win is a deafening rebuke to hate. We are confident she will be a skilled, powerful legislator and an inspiration for trans people across the country. — Statement from Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund (LGBTQ Nation)

The battles that remain

Once the initial results came in, Joni Madison, Interim President of the Human Rights Campaign, released a statement, saying:

The reality is that extremists worked overtime this election cycle, pushing discriminatory and inflammatory narratives about LGBTQ+ people, women and people of colour, because they know we are the only thing standing between them and their extremist vision of America. (Xtra)

According to Lyra Foster, a trans woman and attorney based in Georgia, activists breathed a gigantic sigh of relief. It seems absurd, but the transphobic scaremongering from conservatives is beyond parody at this point:

At the very least the GOP is going to have to rethink that direction. And to be clear, we’re still ready if they don’t.

Additional reading

Emily’s List Trans Legislators (Emily’s List)
More history-making LGBTQ candidates have been elected to state legislatures across the country (LGBTQ Nation)
All the LGBTQ2S+ wins and losses from the 2022 midterm elections (Xtra Magazine)
James Roesener Is the First Out Trans Man Elected to a U.S. State Legislature (Xtra Magazine)
LGBTQ2S+ Americans feel a mix of emotions following tense midterm elections (Xtra Magazine)
Out for America 2022: A Census of LGBTQ Elected Officials Nationwide (Victory Institute)
Justice Department Obtains Permanent Injunction Blocking Penguin Random House’s Proposed Acquisition of Simon & Schuster: Decision Protects Authors and Promotes Diversity and Quality of Top-Selling Books (Justice.Gov)