Florida & New York Make History Electing First Black & LGBTQ Officials
Florida and New York is making history in electing their first Black and LGBTQ officials in 2020. In Florida, voters elected two LGBTQ lawmakers as two New Yorkers became the first Black and openly gay members of Congress.
In the Sunshine state, Michele Rayner, 38, and Shervin Jones, 37, have made LGBTQ history as they won their seats in the Florida state legislature. Rayner, an “unapologetic” queer woman, will become the first Black LGBTQ woman to serve in the state’s house of representatives, as Jones becomes the first LGBTQ person ever elected to Florida’s upper chamber.
RELATED: West Virginia Names Rosemary Ketchum Its First Openly Transgender Official
In New York, Ritchie Torres, 32, and Mondaire Jones, 33, make history becoming the first openly gay Black men elected to Congress. Torres, who also has Latino heritage, won his primary and will replace Rep. Jose Serrano of the 15th District. Jones, who won his primary to replace Rep. Nita Lowey of the 17th District, says it’s “really an honor” to be able to inspire so many young people and older people throughout his district and throughout the country.
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Check out the posts below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment via Yappa after
BREAKING: @ShevrinJones will become the first LGBTQ person elected to the Florida state Senate. @HRC looks forward to working with state Senator-elect Jones to advance equality for ALL. #ElectionNight #UnityWins pic.twitter.com/yvQpGZ6gVl
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 4, 2020
BREAKING: @RitchieTorres has won #NY-15 and will become the first openly LGBTQ Afro-Latino member of Congress. @HRC looks forward to working with Representative-elect Torres to advance equality for ALL. #ElectionNight #UnityWins pic.twitter.com/zGiiKch3dh
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 4, 2020
.@MondaireJones, who is a Black gay man, won his race and will represent New York's 17th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives! pic.twitter.com/gvXRAgjMKJ
— GLAAD (@glaad) November 4, 2020