Election 2016: Here's Your Spoon Full of Sugar, America

No one gets everything they want in an election, ever. But with many expressing concern about America’s desire for equality and inclusion, there’s actually much to be thankful for. No, really.

Last night, Oregonians sent Kate Brown to the statehouse, making her the nation’s first LGBT-identified governor. Nearby Nevada elected Catherine Cortez Masto, the first-ever Latina elected to the Unites States Senate. Likewise, Minnesota elected Ilhan Omar, the first ever Somali-American legislator, and California elected Kamala Harris to the Senate, the first black woman to join that body since 1999. Carlos Guillermo Smith also became the first openly LGBT Latino sent to the Florida state legislature, representing Orlando.

LGBT representation continues in Georgia’s General Assembly, as Sam Park now joins three other LGBT-friendly voices there, and voters reelected all six openly LGBT members of Congress despite a tough night for House Democrats – affirmation that LGBT leadership is effective and respected. Perhaps the most impressive victory of all was won by Tammy Duckworth, who has not only become the first Thai-American woman elected to the Senate: She is also the first female double-amputee from the Iraq War. Each one of them is a heartening sign that Americans still value diversity.