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Mark Takano

Learn more about openly gay congressman Mark Takano. The out politician from Riverside, California was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing California's 41st congressional district in 2012. A graduate of Harvard University and a member of the Democratic Party, Mark Takano has served on the Riverside Community College Board of Trustees since 1990. Rep. Takano became the first non-white openly gay member of Congress, and serves as a proud member of the LGBT Equality Caucus with fellow LGBT representative Tammy Baldwin.

Rep Mark Takano Democratic National Convention 2024
Politics

New Congressional Equality Caucus chair Mark Takano vows to defend LGBTQ+ rights in GOP-controlled Congress

“They’re going to try and do things in committees to tack on horrible riders to target our community, and we are planning to meet these attacks with strength and strategy,” he said.

Mark Takano
Election

Mark Takano is leading the charge for LGBTQ+ representation and equality in Congress for 2024

As cochair of Equality PAC, California U.S. Rep. Mark Takano is working to double LGBTQ+ representation in Congress while fighting back against the rising wave of anti-trans legislation.

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Politics

Rep. Mark Takano is latest LGBTQ+ lawmaker calling for Biden to step aside

He joins other Democrats who are concerned about the president’s ability to win against Donald Trump.

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News

Out Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Four-Day Workweek Legislation

The pandemic, Takano said, has provided an opportunity to examine our relationship with the workweek. 

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Election

Meet the Candidates: The Only Out Person of Color in Congress, Mark Takano

The California congressman is a voice for LGBT rights and intersectionality of minority groups.

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Politics

25 Congressional Dems to LGBT People: We're With You

“I know you’re hearing a lot of hateful rhetoric about our LGBT families,” says Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego. “Please, hang in there.”

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Current Issue

Editor’s Letter: Time for LGBT Voters to Mature

We, as LGBT voters and givers of campaign dollars, have to be especially discerning.

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Politicians

Rep. Mark Takano Wants to Marry You

The Advocate interviewed the gay California congressman just minutes after the Supreme Court issued its decisions on Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act and found him in a good mood.

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Politics

Republican and Out Members of Congress Say 'No H8'

In new photos released today, the No H8 campaign added 67 additional supporters from the U.S. Congress -- including the campaign's first U.S. senators and a Republican member of Congress.

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Politics

WATCH: Out Calif. Rep. Mark Takano Submits His First Bill

The California Democrat took to Twitter's video service, Vine, to document the first bill he submitted as the first LGBT person of color in Congress.

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Voices

Op-ed: How to Get Elected in America

The first LGBT person of color was elected to Congress in the land of Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.

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Politics

House Introduces Immigration Bill For Gay Partners

Rep. Nadler reintroduced the Uniting American Families Act.

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Current Issue

Meet the Class of 2013

The 113th Congress has the highest number of openly LGBT members in the body's history, with six in the House and, for the first time, an openly gay senator. Each politico here brings something unique to the table. They're all Democrats, and all were endorsed by the Victory Fund, meaning they fully support federal, state, and local efforts to advance LGBT rights. Meet your new representatives.

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Voices

Op-ed: Churches Can Be as Accepting as The Ballot Box

A pastor sees the same progress that became evident on election night in his own church.

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Election

Mark Takano Becomes First LGBT Person of Color in Congress

Mark Takano has won the congressional race in the 41st Congressional District in California, becoming the first person of color in Congress.

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