LAS VEGAS (Nov. 17, 2022) — On Saturday, Silver State Equality, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, celebrated the reelection of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Senator Cortez Masto, the first woman elected to represent Nevada in the Senate, was returned to a second term on Tuesday, defeating her Republican opponent by what is anticipated to be the narrowest margin of all Senate elections nationwide. Cortez Masto made history in 2016 when she became the first Latina to be elected to the U.S. Senate; she remains the only Latina in the upper chamber.
Throughout her time in the Senate, Senator Cortez Masto has advocated for LGBTQ+ human rights. She has co-sponsored the Equality Act three times, which would provide federal protections against discrimination for all LGBTQ Americans. She also sponsored the International Human Rights Defense Act in 2020, which directs the Department of State to continue protecting the human rights of LGBTQ individuals affected by criminalization, discrimination, and violence throughout the world.
“We’re excited to have Senator Cortez Masto’s powerful voice returning to Washington, D.C. to lead the way on LGBTQ+ issues,” said André Wade, the state director of Silver State Equality. “She has championed LGBTQ+ civil rights concerns not only in the United States, but across the globe. We know that she shares our dedication to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people – for our community and the diverse communities to which we belong. We congratulate her on her victory and look forward to working with her to achieve full equality.”
Before being elected to the United States Senate, Cortez Masto served as Nevada’s attorney general for two terms.
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and throughout the U.S. Silver State Equality strives to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. More information at SilverStateEquality.org.
