The Future of LGBTQ+ Legislation is in the Hands of the 2024 Congressional Elections
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CALLA O’NEIL: With proposed and passed anti-LGBTQ legislation rapidly increasing, the 2024 election season marks a pivotal opportunity to boost diversity in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
So far, there are fifteen congressional candidates who are openly members of the LGBTQ+ community. They have announced their candidacy during a time when LGBTQ+ rights are threatened now more than ever: since the start of 2023, at least 417 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the United States. 300 of those bills are related to education, enforcing curriculum censorship and “forced outing,” which would require teachers to alert parents if a student begins going by a different name or pronouns.
On the federal level, House Republicans have embedded at least 45 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions into must-pass funding bills. In fact, a report from the Human Rights Campaign found that all annual spending bills brought in the House in FY2024 contain anti-LGBTQ+ provisions such as restrictions on gender-affirming care, funds to fly Pride flags over government buildings, and protections for same-sex couples in federal programs.
These limitations on LGBTQ+ rights make it crucial that the 2024 election season brings in lawmakers who will challenge these attacks. The best advocates for gender and sexuality-related rights tend to be individuals who are directly impacted themselves.
One such candidate is Democrat Sarah McBride, who announced in June that she will be seeking Delaware’s sole seat in the House of Representatives, which would make her the first openly transgender person to serve in the U.S. Congress. When asked about how she would approach the increasingly charged congressional climate over transgender issues, McBride expressed zero doubt that this climate would restrict her work in the House.
“My perspective is to let their cruelty contrast with my approach to politics, which is one of kindness and compassion,” she said. “Let their rhetoric of fear and division and meanness contrast with my approach that’s seeking to bring people together and bring out the best in all of us.”
McBride is importantly making gender identity just one of the many facets of her profile as a candidate. She finds it crucial to express herself as a “multidimensional human being”, balancing her identity as a potential political “first” with winning over voters with her key policy objectives.
"This campaign isn't just about making history – it's about moving forward. To strengthen our democracy, we need effective leaders who believe in taking bold action and building bridges for lasting progress," McBride said in a statement, noting that her agenda includes addressing gun violence, protecting access to abortion rights and tackling climate change.
McBride is just one of many LGBTQ+ identifying candidates running for Congress, aiming to bring greater inclusion into the federal government to better represent the diversity of the American public. Other candidates to keep an eye on include Jamie McLead-Skinner, Joe Vegel, and Will Rollins. If you are interested in supporting the election of one of these candidates, search for their campaign website and find the “Get Involved” section. By bringing members of the LGBTQ+ candidates into office, we can promote the respect and inclusion in our government needed to build greater respect and inclusion in our country.
Calla O’Neil is a columnist for On The Record. She is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service studying International Politics with a minor in Journalism.