New Hampshire has elected its first transgender representative, Democrat Billie Butler, marking a significant step for LGBTQ+ representation in the United States.
Butler secured victory over Republican Ken Hilton in a special election held on Tuesday, 24 June, winning 964 votes to Hilton’s 774. She will represent Somersworth and Rollinsfield in the state House of Representatives, filling a seat vacated by Democrat Dawn Evans, who resigned after relocating.
In her victory speech, Butler expressed gratitude for the support she received, pledging to contribute positively to the legislative balance in New Hampshire. “I would like to see more people run who do not have divisive agendas but who really love New Hampshire,” she said. “I’m ready to offer what I have to give. I’m also ready to bring some art and culture back to the state house.”
Despite New Hampshire voting for Kamala Harris in the presidential election, the state remains under Republican leadership, with the party controlling both the governor’s office and the state legislature.
During the campaign, Butler was targeted by an anti-LGBTQ+ website, which drew widespread criticism for its inflammatory content. “It’s hateful, but worse: it completely misrepresents me and my values,” Butler commented. Hilton distanced himself from the controversy, stating he had not seen the site and preferred not to.
Butler’s win adds to a growing wave of transgender representation in American politics. A recent report by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute revealed a dramatic increase in trans, non-binary, and gender-non-conforming individuals in public office since 2017, with trans women representation alone rising by 875 per cent.
The Out for America report noted that over 1,330 openly LGBTQ+ individuals currently hold public office in the US, a 2.4 per cent increase from the previous year. Since 2017, queer representation overall has grown by 198 per cent.
Evan Low, president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, highlighted this progress as a powerful counter to the negativity of current political discourse. “These exceptionally talented public servants are exactly what we need as the antidote to combat the anti-equality virus in our halls of power,” he said.
Among the rising figures is Zooey Zephyr, a transgender representative in Montana, who stood firm after being censured in 2023.
