Can Newly Elected LGBTQ Lawmakers Shift The Landscape For LGBTQ Rights?

The advocacy group Human Rights Campaign reports that in the past year, more than 300 bills targeting LGBTQ rights have been introduced by state legislatures around the U.S. A recent NPR analysis shows that about 15% of those bills were signed into a law. NPR's Melissa Block breaks down the current landscape of anti-LGBTQ legislation. At the same time, a record number of openly LGBTQ candidates were elected to public office across the nation this year. We hear from two just-elected state representatives: Zooey Zephyr, the first out trans lawmaker elected to office in Montana, and New Hampshire's James Roesener, the first out trans man ever elected to a state legislature. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community. Email us at considerthis@npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy