Only 0.1 percent of elected officials are LGBTQ, new report finds NBC News, June 22, 2018

“Even a decade ago, being an openly LGBTQ candidate was typically a “deal breaker,” according to Brian Harrison, a political scientist at Northwestern University. ‘That’s changing,’ he said, noting ‘being LGBTQ isn’t nearly the liability that it used to be.’

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“If you don’t know anyone who’s ever lost their health care and has had to go bankrupt because they can’t afford their medical bills, you probably aren’t as empathetic to the needs to health care reform,” Harrison said. “Similarly, if you don’t know any LGBTQ people, you are less aware of the need for change.”

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“Bias and discrimination are additive,” Harrison said. “People of color in particular, but also lesbians, bisexual and transgender people, experience discrimination not just because they’re LGBTQ, but because they are a segment of the community that isn’t as well-regarded or publicized.”

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But even though transgender elected officials have gained ground, Harrison said prejudice against trans people is still widespread — both within and outside the LGBTQ community

“Transgender identity is seen by many as being performative, that it’s not a legitimate identity,” Harrison said. “It certainly is not true,” he added, but he said some people still “have visceral discomfort with the idea of a transgender person.”

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But even though transgender elected officials have gained ground, Harrison said prejudice against trans people is still widespread — both within and outside the LGBTQ community

“Transgender identity is seen by many as being performative, that it’s not a legitimate identity,” Harrison said. “It certainly is not true,” he added, but he said some people still “have visceral discomfort with the idea of a transgender person.”

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“The party cue has turned back to being very anti-LGBTQ,” Harrison said. “I think if you’re an LGBTQ person, it’s harder and harder to justify why you’re using that party label.”