The number of out LGBTQ+ elected representatives in the U.S. rose in the last year, continuing a steady upward trend that has lasted through the Trump era, according to a new report.On Tuesday, the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute released its annual Out for America report, which tracks the number of out LGBTQ+ elected representatives nationwide and at all levels of government. This years report showed an overall 2.4% increase in out LGBTQ+ representation between June 2024 and May 2025 and a 198% increase since the organization, which provides training and support for out candidates, first launched the report in 2017 (during President Donald Trumps first term in office). Related Rep. Sarah McBride on GOP attacks: Theyre employing the strategies of reality TV. Americas first trans congressperson opens up. This years Out for America report shows the resilience of our LGBTQ+ elected leaders, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President and CEO Evan Low said in a statement. Despite hateful rhetoric plaguing the 2024 election cycle, LGBTQ+ elected officials won at the ballot box and made history. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today While the majority of LGBTQ+ elected officials serve in state and local office, 2025 saw a 33% increase in the number of out U.S. House representatives, bringing the total number to 12. Meanwhile, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was left the only out U.S. senator after two other out lawmakers left office last year.According to the 2025 report, the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials of color rose by nearly 7% since last year. The number of out Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials grew the most (32.6%), while the number of multiracial officials increased by 28.6%, and the number of Black representatives grew by just over 4%. LGBTQ+ Latinx representatives remain the largest non-white group of out elected officials, holding steady at 193, the same as last years total.While nearly two-thirds of all LGBTQ+ elected officials identify as gay (46.3%) or lesbian (19.5%), the report also saw a notable increase in the number of pansexual and queer elected officials. Of the 1,334 known out LGBTQ+ elected officials as of May 5, the number who reported their sexual orientation as pansexual and queer grew by 17 and 19% respectively compared to last years tally. The number of gay men in office remained the same, while the number of lesbians saw a 7% decrease. Cisgender people continue to account for the vast majority of LGBTQ+ elected officials at 85.9%, compared to 6.5% who identify as either transgender or non-binary. This years report indicated that the number of trans men serving in elected office increased by one, while the number of trans women remained the same. In its press release, the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute pointed to Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress earlier this year. The institute also pointed to the elections of several other trans people to state and local offices as an indication that American voters are willing to support trans candidates, despite a political climate that has become increasingly hostile to trans people.We broke the lavender ceiling with Sarah McBride making history, but we need many more people like her to answer the call, added Low. Thats why we are intentionally working to find and train more transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary leaders to seek elected office at all levels. As the report notes, despite the steady upward trend since 2017, LGBTQ+ people continue to be significantly underrepresented in elected office at all levels of government. Out LGBTQ+ people make up just 0.26% of the countrys elected officials, and the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute estimates that 46,996 more out LGBTQ+ people would have to be elected to achieve equitable representation.Low described the countrys LGBTQ+ public servants as the antidote to combat the anti-equality virus in our halls of power, while LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Executive Director Elliot Imse called them the backbone of the equality movement.Whether combating bills that aim to strip our rights, or being important voices for our communities, Imse said, their presence within the halls of power is vital.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.