Meet America' First Gay, Black Congressmen
January 7, 2021New York Democrats Mondaire Jones And Ritchie Torres were formally sworn in as members of the 117th U.S. Congress this week, making LGBT+ history as they become the first black, gay congressmen.
The American political framework has seen an incredible line up of LGBT+ qualifying for House and Senate, with a total of 11 queer and trans-identifying members now serving, according to ‘Gay Times’.
On Monday (January 4), Jones, who won an open Democratic primary in New York’s 17th Congressional District, tweeted his gratitude and thanks to those that voted for him.
The tweet read: “Today, with my sister by my side, I was sworn in to represent the community that raised me from Section 8 housing all the way to the halls of Congress. My heart is full of gratitude for the great people of Westchester and Rockland Counties, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Alongside their Congressional roles, Jones and Torres will both co-chair the LGBT+ Equality Caucus, which will make the Congressmen the first Black co-chairs.
In response to his official ceremony, Torres also shared a heartfelt message to his followers.
His post read: “Only a few hours away from the formal swearing-in. In the meantime, I stopped by my new office. Seeing my own name on a House plaque is surreal.”
Torres also shared a Facebook video to commemorate the moment which recorded in his new office.
“It’s an exciting moment for me, and it’s an honour to be a member of the world’s greatest legislature,” Torres said.
“I’m always going to remember the most important lesson that my mother taught me, is that never forget where you come from, never forget the people that voted you into office. And so even when I leave the Bronx, the Bronx will not leave me when I’m in Washington DC.”
With the Congressmen sworn in, both men join a handful of LGBT+ progressives (Mark Pocan, Mark Takano, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, and Sean Patrick Maloney) in the House of Representatives.
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