Via Gay Politics Report:

• “Breathtaking leap forward” for LGBT equality
  Elections in the U.S. this week delivered unprecedented victories for the nation’s LGBT community, including a clean sweep of marriage-related ballot initiatives, the first openly gay U.S. senator and at least three new out members of the U.S. House of Representatives. "This wasn’t incremental progress. This was a breathtaking leap forward,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, describing Election Day outcomes. Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin agreed, calling 2012 “a milestone year” for LGBT political causes. The Atlantic online (11/8), CNN (11/7), BuzzFeed (11/7), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/7)

 

• 7 states gain their first LGBT state legislators: Openly LGBT candidates made history in state legislative races across the country this year, winning seats in states where they will be the first or only out lawmakers, including Florida, West Virginia, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. The wins leave just 10 states with no out lawmakers in their legislatures. In New Hampshire, Stacie Laughton became the first openly transgender candidate elected to a state legislature in the U.S. Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.)/Poliglot (11/8), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.)

• Gay, lesbian lawmakers set to take charge in Colo., Ore.: Openly gay Colorado State Rep. Mark Ferrandino was nominated by his peers to become the next speaker of the state’s House of Representatives after Democrats took control of the chamber in Tuesday’s elections. Meanwhile, the Democratic takeover of the Oregon House means Rep. Tina Kotek is expected to become the first openly lesbian speaker of a state house in U.S. history. The California and Rhode Island legislatures are currently served by openly gay house speakers. The Denver Post (11/9), The Oregonian (Portland)