Transgender representation in public office has skyrocketed
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Transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming representation in public office has soared by 1,800% since 2017, a report released Wednesday found.
The big picture: Skyrocketing representation comes as there are mounting attacks on the transgender community in hundreds of state-level bills and a Trump-emboldened Republican trifecta in Washington, D.C.
- President Trump has signed a number of sweeping executive orders singling out transgender Americans that have had massive and swift repercussions, inviting a slew of legal challenges.
- But 2025 also brought victories for representation, from Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) making history as the first openly transgender member of Congress and wins throughout other levels of government.
Driving the news: The number of known elected officials identifying as LGBTQ+ in the U.S. has grown to more than 1,330 as of May 5, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's 2025 Out for America report, an annual analysis of the state of LGBTQ+ representation.
- Between June 2024 and May 2025, the number of LGBTQ+ elected officials grew by 2.4% — and since 2017, representation has swelled by 198%.
- Since last year, the number of LGBTQ+ elected officials of color increased by nearly 7%.
What they're saying: "Despite hateful rhetoric plaguing the 2024 election cycle, LGBTQ+ elected officials won at the ballot box and made history," LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President and CEO Evan Low said in a statement.
- "We know these exceptionally talented public servants are exactly what we need as the antidote to combat the anti-equality virus in our halls of power," he continued.
One stunning stat: Transgender representation grew only slightly between 2024 and 2025, but since 2017, it's increased by 783%, according to the Victory Institute's count.
- Nonbinary representation remained the same between 2024 and 2025, but it has grown 3,900% since 2017, from zero to 39 officials.
Friction point: Transgender and gender-nonconforming people bore the brunt of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents tracked by GLAAD's ALERT desk over the past year or so.
- Of the more than 930 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents tracked, more than half targeted transgender and gender nonconforming people.
- And throughout Pride Month — which the White House has not yet recognized — the Trump administration has only doubled down on its increasingly hostile approach to the LGBTQ+ community, and in particular, transgender people.
- The threats are not confined to the federal level: In the 2025 legislative session, the ACLU is tracking hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills.
Yes, but: While the LGBTQ+ community has made historic gains, it is still vastly underrepresented, according to the Victory Institute.
Case in point: As of May 5, there are 243 LGBTQ+ state legislators; 461 more must be elected to achieve equitable representation.
The bottom line: "Our elected officials are the backbone of the equality movement," LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Executive Director Elliot Imse said in a statement.
- Their presence in government, he said, "is vital."
Go deeper: Survey: Most Americans support protections for LGBTQ+ people
