The small town of Pine City, Minnesota, has just elected its first openly gay mayor, Kent Bombard, highlighting the state’s growing progressive values and its commitment to LGBTQ+ representation across the United States.
Historic Election
Pine City, Minnesota, has made history by electing its first openly gay mayor, Kent Bombard, and marking a significant step for a city known for its progressive values and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Positive Changes
After being elected Mayor, Bombard had an interview with FOX 9 and highlighted his excitement and eagerness to take the position and start making positive changes for his community.
Hit the Ground Running
When FOX 9 asked how he felt about the election, Bombard said, “It’s fantastic. I’m ready to hit the ground running. I’m ready to help lead and help make positive change.”
Bombard’s Appointment
Bombard was sworn in after the previous mayor stepped down to spend more time with his family, and his appointment makes him one of only two openly gay mayors currently serving in Minnesota.
A Long Way to Go
In the same interview with FOX 9, Bombard emphasized that he is grateful to have earned the position but that there is still a long way to go for LGBTQ+ rights in the state.
Only Two in the State
“It’s incredible. It’s crazy. It’s surprising that it’s 2024, and there’s only two in the state of Minnesota,” Bombard said.
Bombard’s Background
Bombard lives in Pine City with his husband, Aaron, and has been active in the community for some time, working in IT for Pine County and serving on the Pine City Planning Commission.
The Role of Bombard’s Sexuality
When reflecting on his journey to Mayor and the impact his sexuality will have in the position, Bombard told FOX 9 that leading and being a part of a community is simply not that complicated.
Making the World Go Round
Bombard told FOX 9, “It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight. Leading a city is leading a city. Being part of the community is being a part of a community and it takes all kinds to make the world go around.”
East Central Minnesota Pride
Unsurprisingly, Pine City was the first rural community in Minnesota to host a Pride event when they started East Central Minnesota Pride almost 20 years ago in 2005.
Broader LGBTQ+ Representation
Bombard’s election can be seen as part of a greater increasing representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in public office across the United States, which has seen steady increases for some time now.
LGBTQ+ Underrepresentation
However, despite the progress being made with LGBTQ+ representation within American politics, LGBTQ+ individuals still remain underrepresented in many areas of government.
LGBTQ+ Identification Trends
LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. has grown significantly in the twenty-first century, with 7.6% of U.S. adults identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and younger generations are seeing steady increases.
Generational Growth in Identification
More than one in five Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+ when compared to less than one in ten millennials, indicating a broader acceptance and identification with LGBTQ+ identities among younger adults.
More than One in Five
In a Gallup poll, Jeffrey M. Jones reported, “More than one in five Gen Z adults, ranging in age from 18 to 26 in 2023, identify as LGBTQ+, as do nearly one in 10 millennials.”
Future Implications
If this current trend continues, the proportion of U.S. adults identifying as LGBTQ+ will exceed more than 10% within the next few decades with shifting societal norms and increasing acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Far From Representative
Despite this steady increase in members of the LGBTQ+ community, a report from the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute revealed the fact that America is still a long way off from proportional representation in the government.
Severely Underrepresented
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute reports, “LGBTQ+ people are still severely underrepresented at nearly every level of government and in nearly every public position in the United States.”
Campaign for Re-election
Bombard’s current term ends on December 31, but he is already campaigning for re-election in November, where he hopes to further progress and community development.
Willing to Help
Bombard said to FOX 9, “It doesn’t matter who you are, people respect you for being you. People are willing and able to help.”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Daniel Samray.
