The measure, which critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, is expected to be signed into law by Republican Gov. This week, Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a bill barring instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in the early years of elementary school. Overwhelmingly, those candidates are Democrats – but some Republicans, like Wyoming's Daniel Zwonitzer, are seen as key to beating back anti-gay rights legislation in their states.

The 2022 election is expected to field a record number of candidates who identify as LGBTQ+ there are around 100 LGBTQ+ individuals running for the House or Senate, up from 87 in 2020.Such Republican-led measures are seen as politically popular in some quarters – but they’re also unleashing pushback, including at the ballot box.In state capitals across the country, there are fierce debates about LGBTQ+ rights and recent years have seen what gay rights advocates call a wave of homophobic restrictions.