Pride in the States: DLCC Celebrates LGBTQ+ Legislators

 

Happy Pride Month! This year, the DLCC is especially proud to highlight, empower, and continue to help elect LGBTQ+ state legislative leaders across the country in the renewed fight for justice in 2026.

As November inches closer, we’re watching numerous LGBTQ+ candidates stepping up to the plate in critical Target Races that will position Democrats for our strongest state legislative position by the end of the decade. 

 

Rep. Lorena Austin is the nation’s first nonbinary Chicane legislator and a fifth-generation Arizonan running for reelection to the Arizona House.

 

 

 

 

Rep. Ryan Spaude is a former criminal prosecutor from the Green Bay area running in a November race for reelection to the Wisconsin Assembly.

 

 

 

In at least 12 states, LGBTQ+ Democrats are serving as members of chamber leadership – leaders who stand up for everyone’s fundamental rights to be who they are in the face of hateful Republican legislation.

Across the country, Republican lawmakers continue to target LGBTQ+ communities with legislation aimed at restricting rights, limiting protections, and marginalizing LGBTQ+ Americans. Many of these attacks are taking place in states on the DLCC’s Target Map, where building Democratic power is essential to stopping extreme GOP agendas and electing leaders who will protect fundamental freedoms for all Americans. 

Here’s what we’re watching across the country right now:

• Ohio Representatives passed anti-drag show legislation.
• Florida Republicans passed a bill to potentially give Gov. DeSantis the power “to remove local elected officials from office if they promote Pride events or other activities tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
• Missouri Republicans introduced 58 anti-LGBTQ+ bills during the 2026 legislative session alone.
• 1,700 Kansans had their driver’s licenses invalidated in March because of anti-transgender legislation passed and a gubernatorial veto overridden by the GOP supermajorities in the Kansas state legislature.
• The GOP-controlled Iowa General Assembly and Gov. Reynolds passed a law overriding local civil rights ordinances that offered broader protections than state law, resulting in the rollback of some LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections.
• Republicans in Tennessee enacted legislation to track trans people’s health care data.

Dangerous rhetoric and policy is where the GOP shines – and we won’t stand back while our fellow Americans are attacked for being who they are. That’s why:

• Oregon Democrats enacted legislation to expand shield laws to protect professionals who provide abortion and gender-affirming care.
• The Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House passed a bill to repeal the state’s (unenforced) same-sex marriage ban.
• Washington Democrats passed legislation to protect trans people and to support the broader LGBTQ+ community’s access to care.

The DLCC will continue to celebrate the LGBTQ+ legislators protecting all Americans from discrimination, no matter how hard the GOP pushes their hateful and unpopular legislation in the states.

Take a look at all of the DLCC’s Target Candidates in 2026, all of whom are committed to standing with the LGBTQ+ community.