ABSTRACT
Beginning in the 1970s gays and lesbians flung open their closet doors and began seeking political offices in a variety of states across America. At first their candidacies were local. They sought positions—on city councils and in state legislatures—generally representing small areas where large numbers of homosexual voters were concentrated. By the mid-1990s they were winning major-party nominations to contest statewide posts, were serving in Congress, and had even been appointed to positions in the executive branch of the federal government and to federal judgeships. This chapter presents a chart (by state) details the total number of gays and lesbians who have served their states in three of the most powerful positions in US politics: governor, US Senate (both appointed and elected), and US House of Representatives. The best and worst states for gay and lesbians achieving political power are Massachusetts and California.
