Takano stated to Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade that it saddened him that Frank would not be among his congressional colleagues if he won election since the estimable Massachusetts legislator had decided to retire. In a quip acknowledging Frank's witty and forthright manner, he added, "I really hoped as the first openly gay member of Congress who is a person of color that I [would] get to serve with the openly gay member of Congress who's the most colorful."

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The 41st Congressional District was generally considered Democratic-leaning, but Republicans targeted it as a potentially winnable seat since their candidate, long-term Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione, was something of a moderate, having refused to sign on to activist Grover Norquist's categorical pledge never to raise taxes and also having a certain record of reaching across the aisle while working in county government.

Early on, it appeared that the race might be close, but Takano's support grew steadily, and on election day he trounced his opponent by more than 17 percent.

In his campaign, Takano was out and proud and unambiguous in his support for glbtq rights. He was pleased, however, that the tactics of the previous races were not employed this time around, itself a sign that homosexuality was no longer a potent "wedge issue."

Takano was thus able to give attention to a wider range of issues, including education, air quality, the welfare of senior citizens, the high unemployment rate in the district, and his differences with the Republicans over the budget advanced by their national ticket.

In the United States, glbtq candidates have achieved some significant successes at the ballot box in the last three decades, running for and winning local, state, and national elections.

Gay-straight alliances are youth-led, school- or community-based groups designed to assist glbtq students, children from glbtq families, and heterosexual students who want to be allies of their glbtq peers.

Political scientists have generated insights important to the study of sexuality through research into glbtq participation in formal politics, studies of sexuality as a category of power, and reconceptualizations of the relationship between sexuality and politics.

Historically, glbtq teachers have faced all manner of social pressures, including open hostiliy and expectations that they hide their sexuality; now, however, teacher groups and individuals are working to improve the climate for glbtq teachers.

The first out lesbian elected to the United States Congress, Democratic legislator Tammy Baldwin has been a strong supporter of glbtq rights, but she is far from a one-issue politician.

U. S. Representative David Cicilline, who made history as the first openly gay mayor of a state capital, has a long record of public service.

The American glbtq movement for equality has largely allied itself with the Democratic Party.

Openly gay U. S. congressman Barney Frank has been a leader not only in the cause of gay and lesbian rights but also on issues including fair housing, consumer rights, banking, and immigration.

Long a champion of glbtq and progressive causes, Sean Patrick Maloney was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012 to become the first openly gay U.S. Representative from New York state.

A former seven-term member of the Wisconsin Assembly, Mark Pocan easily won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.

Businessman and philanthropist Jared Polis became one of only three openly gay members in Congress, and the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a freshman, when he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008.

Proposition 8, also known as the California Marriage Protection Act, is the ballot proposition that amended the California state constitution to ban same-sex marriage; it is the subject of ongoing litigation that may restore marriage equality to California.

The Republican Party of the United States has not been supportive of glbtq issues, despite the efforts of the Log Cabin Republicans.

After serving several terms in the Arizona state legislature, Kyrsten Sinema ran successfully for the United States House of Representatives in 2012, becoming the first openly bisexual person elected to that body.