Member-only story
A List of Out LGBTQ Elected Officials in Pennsylvania: Historical Work in Progress
When I began blogging in 2005, there were no out elected officials in Pennsylvania (that I knew of.) Now there are so many that keeping track is a challenge. Hence, this list and timeline. When I am unsure of someone’s identity, I use LGBTQ.
I urge you to contact me if you have corrections, edits, or updates. Note that I use the year of election, not when they assumed office. I may not get it right in every case because that’s a little confusing, so I’d appreciate any corrections.
1992 — Jim McGill is the first out gay man elected to the Wilkinsburg Borough Council, first out gay person elected to office in Western Pennsylvania, perhaps the entire Commonwealth.
2005 — Ann Butchart was the first out LGBTQ person to be elected in Pennsylvania when she won her race for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
2007 — Bruce Kraus was the first out gay man to be elected to the Pittsburgh City Council.
2011 — Brian Sims was the first out LGBTQ person to be elected to the General Assembly. He assumed office in 2012 and served through 2022.
2011 — Hugh McGough was the first out gay man elected as judge for the Allegheny County Magisterial District Court
