US Elects Two Gay Black Men As Lawmakers

Two black men who are openly gay have been elected as lawmakers in the United States.

Ritchie Torres, a 32-year-old Democratic congressional candidate from New York who identifies as both black and Latino, defeated his Republican opponent and will head to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent the South Bronx, making him also the first openly gay Latino in the U.S. Congress.

Mondair Jones, a 33-year-old Democrat (who is also openly gay), was elected to represent New York’s 17th congressional district, which includes parts of New York’s Rockland and Westchester Counties.

Both men highlighted their humble origins during their campaigns, having grown up in poor, single-parent households in New York.