California legislature is 10% LGBTQ+ in record-setting year nationwide

At least 519 out LGBTQ+ candidates won election this year across US - but Colorado shooting is reminder of extremist threat

Amid a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the US, California reached a milestone in this year's midterm elections: at least 10% of its lawmakers identify publicly as LGBTQ+, a figure believed to be a first for any legislature in the country.

With 12 current or soon-to-be members of the legislature identifying as LGBTQ+, the statehouse has roughly reached parity in sexual orientation and gender identity - 9.1% of Californians are LGBT, according to the US census.