AUSTIN, Texas — The number of LGBT, Black state lawmakers in Texas is about to triple.
In May, Jolanda Jones became the state’s first openly gay and Black state legislator when she won a hard-fought special election to represent Houston in the Texas House. Her GOP opponent then dropped out of the race.
Then on Tuesday, Christian “Manuel” Hayes and Venton Jones, who represent Beaumont and Dallas, respectively, became the first two openly gay Black men elected to the state Legislature. Venton Jones will also be the first openly HIV-positive Texas lawmaker.
