Rhode Island Representative David
Cicilline, a Democrat, was sworn in on Wednesday, joining three other
openly gay members of Congress.
Cicilline joins Democratic incumbents
Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Jared
Polis of Colorado, all of whom kept their seats on November 2.
A fifth candidate, however, lost his
bid to unseat California Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, a Republican
who voted against repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.” If elected,
Stephen P. Pougnet, the mayor of Palm Springs, would have become the
first openly gay family man in Congress.
In his election night speech,
Cicilline, the former mayor of Providence, recognized the important
role he plays as one of only a handful of openly gay lawmakers in
Washington.
“I am thrilled to be the next
congressman from Rhode Island's First District and so grateful to the
members of the LGBT community who supported my campaign. I look
forward to going to Washington and fighting for the issues important
for all us – creating good jobs, protecting Social Security,
working to fight global climate change and, of course, fighting for
full equality for our community,” he said.