The Future is Ours

By Connect Staff

With each election comes more LGBTQ+ elected officials who are publicly out. The Victory Institute is the only national organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ+ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. The Victory Institute offers candidate training, campaign training, leadership summits, internships, fellowships and professional development programs. Each year the Victory Institute assists hundreds of individuals to go on to influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy. 

According to the Victory Institute, there are currently 995 LGBTQ+ elected officials nationwide and as of June 2021, Mississippi is the only state to have zero LGBTQ+ elected officials. Here in Tennessee, we have ten LGBTQ+ elected officials. 

While ten is a good start, representation matters. We’ve seen this time and time again. True equality includes a seat at the table –– a voice in the matter. 

Have you ever thought about running for office? There’s no time like now. Many incumbent candidates are simply re-elected because they don’t have an opponent. Other candidates can also be overlooked because their names aren’t out there like those who have been in office for quite some time. 

Nothing changes if it always stays the same. Even just having an opponent can shake things up. Reach out to your local election commission to find out the process to run for a particular office. We need new voices.

For your reference, here are the ten LGBTQ+ elected officials in Tennessee of which we are aware.

State Legislature Elected Officials

Eddie Mannis – R
District 18, Tennessee House of Representatives
https://www.eddiemannis.com/

Torrey Harris – D
District 90, Tennessee House of Representatives
https://www.torreyharris.com/

Local Elected Officials

Russ Bradford – D
District 13, Nashville and Davidson County Metropolitan Council
https://www.russbradford.com/

Zach Young
District 10, Nashville and Davidson County Metropolitan Council
https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council/people/zach-young

Emily Benedict – D
District 7, Nashville and Davidson County Metropolitan Council
https://www.emilyfor7.com/

Brett Withers – D
District 6, Nashville and Davidson County Metropolitan Council
https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council/people/brett-withers

Nancy VanReece – D
District 8, Nashville and Davidson County Metropolitan Council
https://www.nvr4district8.com/

Judicial Elected Officials

Jennifer Smith – D
Division IV Criminal Court, 20th Judicial District of Tennessee
https://www.judgejennifersmith.com/

Rachel Bell – D
Division VIII, Davidson County General Sessions Court
https://www.judgerachelbell.com/

Paula Skahan – D
Division I, Shelby County Criminal Court
https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/1587/Division-I