AUSTIN, TX — (11-10-22) — Voters in Texas tripled the number of  openly LGBT Black Americans to serve in the state Legislature on Tuesday. Prior to May 2022, there weren’t any openly gay Black members of the state Legislature.

Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, became the first Lesbian Black  Woman to serve when she won a special election that month. Rep. Jones was elected to a full term on Tuesday.  She’ll now be joined by Democrats Christian Manuel Hayes and Venton Jones, who both won their races Tuesday night.

Hayes will represent House District 22 in Beaumont, and Venton Jones will represent House District 100 in Dallas.

“They’ve never backed down when our rights are on the line and we are confident they’ll channel this courage and compassion in Austin,” said the former Houston mayor and current president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, Annise Parker.

The two candidates will take office ahead of a legislative session where LGBTQ issues are sure to be addressed, especially with conservatives continuing their attacks on the LGBTQ community.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

Sign Up Below for #JRLCHARTS Breaking News and Follow @JRLCHARTS Daily on Twitter

Related News