First out bisexual Senator Kyrsten Sinema sworn in by Mike Pence
US Senator from Arizona Kirsten Sinema holds a law book as she is sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on January 3, 2019. (ALEX EDELMAN/AFP/Getty)
Kyrsten Sinema has become the first openly bisexual person to take up a seat in the US Senate.
The Arizona Democrat was sworn in on January 3 after a narrow victory in November’s midterm elections, becoming the first out bisexual person, and only the second out LGBT+ person elected to the Senate.
Ironically, the duty of swearing in the newly-elected Senator Sinema fell to Vice President Mike Pence, known for his opposition to LGBT+ rights.
Senator Kyrsten Sinema participates in a swearing in ceremony with Vice President Mike Pence on Capitol Hill on January 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Zach Gibson/Getty)
The incoming senator, who is divorced hasn’t remarried, cracked a joke with Pence when she noted the empty spot where a senator’s husband or wife would usually stand.
She quipped: “Oh, it says spouse… Could we get a spouse?”
Kyrsten Sinema was sworn in on a law book
Sinema is also the only current member of Congress who is openly religiously unaffiliated, and instead of a Bible opted to get sworn in on a law book from the Library of Congress containing texts of the US and Arizona constitutions.
A spokesperson for Sinema told the Arizona Republic: “Kyrsten always gets sworn in on a Constitution simply because of her love for the Constitution.”
Kyrsten Sinema, the first female Senator from Arizona and the first openly bisexual Senator in history, was sworn in by Mike Pence today. Also, she swore on a law book and not a bible.pic.twitter.com/lslrHy7M6w
— Negar (@NegarMortazavi) January 4, 2019
Congress has seen an overall boost in LGBT+ representation, with ten out lawmakers across the House and Senate.
Sinema’s Senate race was one of the closest on election day, eventually prevailing with 1,191,100 votes to opponent Martha McSally’s 1,135,200.
Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez congratulated Sinema on a “stunning victory.”
Perez said: “Arizonans went to the polls looking for bold new leadership, and that’s exactly what they’re going to get with their first-ever female senator and our nation’s second openly LGBTQ senator.
“Unlike her predecessor, Senator Sinema is ready to fight on day one for quality health care, a VA system that works the way it should for our veterans, comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, and an economy that works for all Arizonans.”
Kyrsten Sinema’s victory ‘sends message’ to officials and LGBT+ people
Annise Parker, CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, said: “An LGBTQ woman winning a U.S. Senate seat in a state that voted for Trump is a game-changer, both for the LGBTQ community and the Democratic party.
“Kyrsten’s victory makes clear that an LGBTQ candidate who listens to voters and prioritises their issues can win elected office anywhere—blue state or red state.
“It also signals to the Democratic party that nominating more LGBTQ candidates for high-level positions should be a strategic priority, because their openness and authenticity resonate with independent voters.”
She added: “By doubling our influence with two passionate and tough LGBTQ women… the U.S. Senate will certainly find our community more difficult to ignore.”
