Voters in Tuesday’s midterms delivered a series of historic firsts for minorities and marginalized people. Minority candidates, women, and members of the LGBTQ community will be taking up the mantle of elected office in their states for the first time.

In both local and national races, LGBTQ individuals will be occupying seats and offices for the first time, overcoming an election cycle marked by vicious attacks against the LGBTQ community.

In Massachusetts, Maura Healey defeated Republican Geoff Diehl to become both the first woman and first open lesbian to hold the state’s governorship. She’s also the first open lesbian to be elected governor of any state. One cross-country red eye away in Oregon, Democrat Tina Kotek is in a tight race become the second. If Kotek wins, she’d replace the state’s current historic governor Kate Brown, the nation’s first openly bisexual governor.

We did it, Massachusetts. pic.twitter.com/7JgwKxEMw8

— Maura Healey (@maura_healey) November 9, 2022

At the congressional level, Becca Balint won a landslide victory to become the first lesbian, and first woman, to occupy Vermont’s single seat in the House of Representatives. Balint previously became the state’s first lesbian state senator in 2014. “It’s such an incredible honor,” Balint said in an interview shortly after her election, celebrating that people in Vermont “can finally see themselves in elected office.”

Becca Balint (@BeccaBalintVT) will be the first woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent Vermont in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Watch our election night livestream: https://t.co/V30s2vE2ge pic.twitter.com/ujUIeiX4w3

— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) November 9, 2022

Democrat James Roesener, 26, became the first openly transgender man to be to elected to any state legislature in US history.

Roesener is one of a record number of trans candidates to run for office this year.

He is fighting for the right to access to abortion in his state, New Hampshire, the right to equal pay for women, and supporting legislation that ensures the protection of same-sex rights, including protecting recognition of same-sex marriage.

James Roesener becomes the first transgender man elected to a state legislature in US history, defeating Republican Dennis Soucy!

Transgender candidates are doing amazing tonight. It is so critical we have their voices in the places where laws will be made! pic.twitter.com/QFkAOd9Jw3

— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) November 9, 2022

In Florida, the youth claimed a victory, with Maxwell Alejandro Frost securing a victory as the first member of Gen-Z to be elected to the House of Representatives. “WE WON!!!!” the 25-year-old wrote on Twitter. “History was made tonight. We made history for Floridians, for Gen Z, and for everyone who believes we deserve a better future. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to represent my home in the United States Congress.”

WE WON!!!! History was made tonight. We made history for Floridians, for Gen Z, and for everyone who believes we deserve a better future. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to represent my home in the United States Congress. #FL10

— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@MaxwellFrostFL) November 9, 2022

Frost, a prolific organizer and activist who has worked with both the ACLU and the March for Our Lives, ran on a progressive platform that promises to “end gun violence, win Medicare For All, transform our racist criminal justice system, and end the climate crisis.” In a tweet following the announcement of his victory, Frost wrote that his campaign had “for everyone who believes we deserve a better future.”