Six out LGBTQ candidates endorsed by LGBTQ Victory Fund won their general election campaigns for the New York City Council tonight, increasing the number of out representatives from four to six and ensuring LGBTQ representation on the council remains. It is the largest group of out LGBTQ councilmembers ever elected – the previous record being five.*
Among the winners are Crystal Hudson (District 35) and Kristin Richardson Jordan (District 9), who will be the first two Black out LGBTQ women elected to the council. Lynn Schulman (District 29) and Tiffany Cabán (District 22), who will be the first out LGBTQ women elected to any public office from Queens. Chi Ossé (District 36), who will be the youngest person ever elected to the council and Erik Bottcher (District 3), who will preserve LGBTQ representation in his district, an LGBTQ legacy seat that is home to the Stonewall Inn.
“New York City just elected one of the largest slates of LGBTQ city council candidates in the country and their diversity is reflective of the city they will now represent,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “As LGBTQ people and people of color continue to reel from economic and health disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, these new leaders will be on the frontlines ensuring inclusive legislation helps all New Yorkers recover. This is a watershed moment for New York – and these LGBTQ candidates are ready to deliver.”
All four current LGBTQ members of the New York City Council are termed out this year, creating concerns that LGBTQ representation on the council would diminish come November.
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
* New York City Councilmember James Vacca came out in 2016 – making it six out LGBTQ councilmembers on the council – however Vacca retired from the seat in 2017 and never won election as an out LGBTQ person.
