Study affirms: LGBTQ+ representation in congress bolsters LGBTQ+ rights advocacy

A new study from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) found that electing openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals to the United States Congress leads to increased advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ rights.

The research, published in PS: Political Science & Politics, challenges the assumption that descriptive representation – having representatives who share the same background as their constituents – does not necessarily translate into substantive representation, where representatives actively work on behalf of those constituents.

"The LGBT community and their political influence is historically understudied, and they are a particularly interesting group to study for understanding and learning about power and the American political system," said Benjamin Bishin, UCR professor of political science and study co-author.

While court decisions and rising public support have led to significant gains for LGBTQ+ rights, legislative action by Congress has been limited, leaving these rights vulnerable to potential reversals.

Given the historically small number of openly LGBTQ+ representatives in Congress (12 between 1997 and 2021, with no transgender representation), researchers faced challenges in measuring pro-LGBTQ+ support through traditional methods like tracking votes on relevant bills.

Instead, Bishin and co-author Nicholas Weller, UCR associate professor of political science, analyzed data from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which assesses legislators' LGBTQ+ support based on a comprehensive range of indicators, including co-sponsorship of pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and votes on related appointments.

To ensure a rigorous comparison, the researchers used a method called Coarsened Exact Matching to compare LGBTQ+ legislators with non-LGBTQ+ legislators of similar backgrounds and political leanings. The analysis revealed that LGB legislators consistently demonstrated greater support for LGBTQ+ rights.

Beyond direct advocacy, descriptive representation can also foster trust in government and increase civic engagement among constituents. With LGBTQ+ rights currently facing challenges across the country, the UCR study offers valuable insight into the positive impact of LGBTQ+ representation in Congress.

While the study does not definitively conclude that electing LGBTQ+ representatives will guarantee the protection of LGBTQ+ rights, Bishin and Weller's findings strongly suggest a positive correlation.