Kim Jackson and Marvin Lim make LGBTQ+ history in Georgia

19th January 2021

Kim Jackson and Marvin Lim are examples of the landmark LGBTQ+ shake up sweeping the House and Senate.

So, it’s official. Rev Kim Jackson has taken office as Georgia’s first LGBTQ+ state Senator.

Jackson was sworn into office on Monday (11 January) which marked the historic occasion.

Alongside Jackson’s addition to Senate, the inclusion of Georgia State Representative Marvin Lim, the number of LGBTQ+ politicians has grown to an all-time high at seven.

Speaking on the historic moment, Jackson issued a statement: “I am honored to be afforded the opportunity to represent the people of Senate District 41 in the state Capitol and I am humbled by the trust displayed in me.

“As the hardworking legislatures before me have demonstrated, we must always continue to promote legislation that supports the needs and concerns of every Georgian. I am eager to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and in both Chambers, to ensure all voices are heard and represented.”

Yesterday, I woke up as Senator-Elect and was sworn in on my grandparents' Bible, wearing a stole passed down from The Reverend Pauli Murray.
Today, I woke up as Senator for Georgia State Senate District 41, and received my committee assignments:
>> Agriculture and…(continued) pic.twitter.com/iz4kjtqnFU

— Kim for Georgia (@KimforGeorgia) January 13, 2021

Rep. Lim, a 36-year-old first-time candidate, is another historic win in government, becoming first Filipino LGBTQ+ state representative.

Lim will likely join a handful of other LGBTQ lawmakers already in the state House, including: Representatives Park Cannon, Karla Drenner, Renitta Shannon, Sam Park, and Matthew Wilson.

Speaking on LGBTQ+ diversity, Lim added: “I am a representative, but I cannot represent every possible voice, which is why it is so important for me to make sure the voices of other people are represented.

“When that comes to the LGBTQ community, obviously I am going to ensure, given the intersectionality of my district – there are a lot of LGBTQ minorities – that that type of voice is represented.

“But no group is a monolith. That is true of the LGBTQ community. That is true of Asians. The best way to do that is make sure that, yes, I’m speaking for them in some ways, but to make sure that they are using their voices to speak out.”