Cicilline becomes fourth openly gay member of Congress

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., has joined Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Jared Polis, D-Colo. (pictured), as the only openly gay and lesbian members of the U.S. Congress. 

"This is an historic day for LGBT Americans, and another step toward a government that truly reflects our country's diversity," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. 

The Washington Post named Cicilline one of its 10 freshmen to watch.

Meet three out candidates for Congress

Congress now has an out population of three -- but that could change this year, if three more openly gay candidates are elected.

In the running are David Cicilline, the Providence mayor running for a Rhode Island seat; Ed Potosnak of New Jersey; and Steve Pougnet, former mayor and city council member of Palm Springs, Calif.

Colorado's Jared Polis makes the cover of MetroWeekly

There have been gay members of Congress before and there are those who serve now. But Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat, has the distinction of being the first out gay man elected to a first term. There's no arguing that's not a historic feat, considering the disproportionate disadvantage the GLBT community suffers on Capitol Hill. Every inch toward proportionate representation is a milestone. But Polis is much, much more than a name for the history books. Having just turned 34 on May 12, this dynamic young congressman brings to Washington a background in business, technology and education, along with his partner of five and a half years, Marlon Reis. Read all about it in the new issue of MetroWeekly.