List of Openly Gay US Politicians, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. While a 2013 Gallup Poll revealed that the majority of Americans support gay marriage, the topic is still very controversial in the United States Congress. Several politicians are openly gay, and these trail blazers are pushing gay rights forward in the United States.
Who is the most famous U.S. politician who is openly gay? Tammy Baldwin tops our list. The Wisconsin Senator made headlines when she became the first openly gay person to be elected to the United States Senate in January of 2013. She previously served in the House of Representatives for 14 years. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Congresswomen, is openly bisexual.
Perhaps the most outspoken openly gay U.S. politician is Barney Frank. The Massachusetts Congressman has been in office since 1981. In 1987, he became the first U.S. politician to voluntarily come out as gay. In 2012, Frank married his longtime partner James Ready in Boston. Other openly gay men who served in congress include Jim Kolbe, Sean Patrick Maloney, and Jared Polis.
Are you surprised by the number of openly gay U.S. politicians? Did you think there would be more or fewer senators? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin was the first openly lesbian member of the Wisconsin Assembly when she was elected in 1993. In 1999, she became the first openly gay person elected to the House of Representatives.
Colorado Congressman Jared Polis is openly gay. He is the primary sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which hopes to end sexual discrimination of children and teens in school.
Gerry Studds was the first openly gay member of Congress, though he was outed after a 1983 scandal wherein he had a relationship with a 17 year-old male congressional page. He married his long-time partner Dean T. Hara on May 24, 2004, in Boston.
Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank is the most outspoken gay politician in the U.S. In 2012, Frank married his longtime partner James Ready in Boston.
Arizona Congresswomen Kyrsten Sinema is openly bisexual, although she is reported to dislike labels of any kind. She is a strong supporter of the Dream Act, which would provide residency to qualifying immigrants.
