The significance of the first openly gay Senator
By Ava McKay
In New Hampshire, the first openly gay man won a seat in the Senate.
Since gay marriage became legalised on June 26th, 2015, there has been significant changes made in the U.S.
Democrat Chris Pappas, an openly gay man, defeating Republican John E Sununu with a majority of 56% voting in his favour is one of them.
His win against Sununu marks monumental change in U.S Congress for the LGBTQ+ community. His victory doesn’t just show that hard work pays off but that your sexual orientation no longer limits you in a political space.
Moments after his win, the Democrat used his victory speech to publicly thank his husband, Vann Bentley, telling his supporters he is the “luckiest guy”. This public declare may seem small but the history behind it reflects great change.
He references some of the personal attacks that had been thrown at his throughout his campaign but exclaiming that “love and truth prevailed tonight.”
Chris Pappas celebrates with husband Vann at victory party || image by Joseph Prezioso via Getty Images
In 2025, Equaldex conducted a survey that showed 38% of American’s would find discomfort in seeing public display of affect from a same sex couple. Pappas simple act of embracing his husband publicly after his win already challenges this opinion.
Pappas was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire and is a descendent of Greek immigrants. He felt the need for change while working for his family’s 109-year-old business.
Before his start in politics, he had the ability to work closely with the local community and build his work ethic while also becoming the 4th generation to run the family business.
During his years attending Harvard University, Pappas began slowly coming out to relatives and close friends, he expresses gratitude for the support of his family during those years.
Since 2018, Pappas became the first out gay man in Congress to represent New Hampshire. There he began to show his problem-solving skill and his ability to put other needs and rights first.
During his time in Congress, Pappas had fought for topics such as pushing tax cuts for working families / small businesses while also standing up against Big Pharma to lower drug costs.
Pappas has served three terms on the New Hampshire Executive Council, educating and building his career. Following this, he began to build a support base around his goals for New Hampshire.
Throughout Pappas political career, he has fought towards expanding Medicaid, the protection of funding for Planned Parenthood and to invest in renewable energy. Many of these resonated with the New Hampshire people whose vote he has now won.
In 2021, he posted on Instagram of his engagement to Vann Bentley with them later getting married in 2023.
Pappas also speaks of his families and husband’s unwavering support making him confident to campaign for his seat in Senate and space in Congress.
Pappas said: “I am ready to fight with everything I’ve got to delivery the change we need.”