As Pennsylvania’s primary election approaches on Tuesday, LGBTQ voters across Allegheny County are entering this election season amid escalating attacks on trans rights, bodily autonomy, public education, and inclusive democracy itself.
In recent weeks, local politics have become a flashpoint after anti-trans campaign rhetoric surfaced in the Pennsylvania House District 45 race, sparking widespread backlash from LGBTQ organizations, Democratic activists, elected officials, healthcare workers, parents, and community members throughout the county.
For many queer and trans voters, this election is no longer simply about party affiliation. It is about accountability. It is about which candidates have consistently stood with LGBTQ communities when it mattered and which ones chose political expediency over human dignity.
The following candidates received endorsements from Steel City Stonewall Democrats, one of Pennsylvania’s largest LGBTQ Democratic political organizations.
Why this matters
Local and state elections shape the daily lives of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians in very real ways. These elected officials make decisions affecting anti-discrimination protections, public school policies, healthcare access, reproductive freedom, housing, policing, labor rights, gender-affirming care, and whether trans youth are treated with dignity or used as political talking points.
And while national politics often dominate headlines, many of the most immediate attacks on queer and trans communities begin locally in school boards, county governments, state legislatures, and judicial systems.
This year’s primary is an opportunity for LGBTQ voters and allies to support candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to equality, inclusion, and protecting vulnerable communities.
Key races LGBTQ voters should watch
PA House District 45 — Brittany Bloam
The race for Pennsylvania House District 45 has become one of the most closely watched local Democratic primaries in Allegheny County after anti-trans rhetoric became central to attacks against candidate Brittany Bloam.
Bloam, who received the endorsement of Steel City Stonewall Democrats, has publicly defended trans rights and condemned attempts to use LGBTQ communities as political scapegoats.
“Trans people are our neighbors and have a right to basic human dignity, privacy, and respect,” Bloam said in a statement responding to attacks during the race
The race has increasingly become a broader referendum on whether anti-trans culture war politics have a place in Democratic politics in Allegheny County.
PA House District 36 — Jessica Benham
Jessica Benham made history as Pennsylvania’s first openly LGBTQ woman elected to the state legislature and has consistently advocated for disability justice, labor rights, LGBTQ equality, and inclusive public policy.
Benham remains one of the most visible LGBTQ elected officials in Pennsylvania politics and a major voice on trans rights and accessibility issues in Harrisburg.
PA House District 24 — La’Tasha D. Mayes
State Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes is the first out lesbian elected to the Pennsylvania state house and has become one of Pennsylvania’s strongest legislative voices on bodily autonomy, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and reproductive freedom.
A longtime community organizer and activist before entering elected office, Mayes has consistently advocated for policies protecting marginalized communities, including LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, Black communities, women, immigrants, and working-class families.
Mayes has also been outspoken in opposing anti-trans legislation and efforts to weaponize queer and trans people for political gain. In Harrisburg, she has frequently pushed back against attacks on gender-affirming care, abortion access, and public health protections while emphasizing the interconnectedness of racial, economic, and gender justice.
For many progressive and LGBTQ voters in Allegheny County, Mayes represents a model of movement-connected leadership rooted in community organizing rather than political convenience.
PA House District 34 — Abigail Salisbury
State Representative Abigail Salisbury has built a reputation in Harrisburg as a progressive advocate for LGBTQ equality, abortion access, labor rights, and public education.
Representing communities in eastern Allegheny County, Salisbury has consistently supported policies protecting trans Pennsylvanians and has publicly opposed attempts to weaponize LGBTQ identities for political gain. She has also been vocal on issues including healthcare access, economic justice, and protecting democratic institutions during a period of escalating political extremism nationwide.
US House District 12 — Summer Lee
Congresswoman Summer Lee has become one of the strongest progressive voices in Congress on racial justice, LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, labor organizing, and economic justice.
Lee has consistently spoken out against anti-trans legislation and attacks on marginalized communities nationwide.
US House District 17 — Chris Deluzio
Congressman Chris Deluzio recently publicly criticized anti-trans political messaging in Allegheny County, stating, “I have no patience for Democrats using culture wars to try and divide us.”
Deluzio has positioned himself as a strong supporter of organized labor, public education, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ inclusion.
PA Senate District 38 — Lindsey Williams
State Senator Lindsey Williams has long been a vocal advocate for public education, labor protections, abortion access, and LGBTQ equality in western Pennsylvania.
Williams has consistently opposed attempts to target trans youth and LGBTQ students through state legislation.
PA House District 30 — Arvind Venkat
State Representative Arvind Venkat became one of the sharpest critics of anti-trans rhetoric in the District 45 race, publicly warning against politicians willing to “say or do anything to win.”
Venkat has been outspoken on healthcare access, reproductive rights, democratic institutions, and LGBTQ inclusion.
Election Day Information
Pennsylvania’s primary election will take place Tuesday, May 19. Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM statewide. Voters can confirm registration status, locate polling places, and review sample ballots through the Pennsylvania Department of State.
For LGBTQ voters, allies, and community members across Allegheny County, this year’s primary arrives at a moment when the stakes feel especially personal.
The past several weeks have shown that attacks on queer and trans communities are not abstract national talking points disconnected from local politics. They are happening here, in Allegheny County races, in campaign mailers, at council meetings, and in public policy debates shaping the lives of real people.
But they have also shown something else. LGBTQ communities are organized, paying attention, and willing to hold elected officials accountable.
On Tuesday, voters will decide what kind of politics moves forward from here.
Full Steel City Stonewall Democrats Endorsed Candidates
Pennsylvania Governor & Lieutenant Governor
- Josh Shapiro & Austin Davis
U.S. House
- District 12 — Summer Lee
- District 14 — Alan Bradstock
- District 17 — Chris Deluzio
Pennsylvania Senate
- District 38 — Lindsey Williams
- District 42 — Wayne Fontana
Pennsylvania House
- District 12 — Brandon Dukes
- District 19 — Aerion Abney
- District 20 — Emily Kinkead
- District 21 — Lindsay Powell
- District 23 — Dan Frankel
- District 24 — La’Tasha D. Mayes
- District 25 — Brandon Markosek
- District 27 — Dan Deasy
- District 30 — Arvind Venkat
- District 32 — Joe McAndrew
- District 33 — Mandy Steele
- District 34 — Abigail Salisbury
- District 36 — Jessica Benham
- District 38 — John Inglis
- District 39 — Kellianna Frketic
- District 40 — Jon Lloyd
- District 42 — Jen Mazzocco
- District 44 — Hadley Haas
- District 45 — Brittany Bloam
- District 48 — Rebecca MacTaggart
- District 50 — Lois Bower Bjornson
- District 59 — Lisa Gephart