Kyrsten Sinema, the first openly bisexual U.S. senator, got sworn in by infamous homophobe Mike Pence
Yesterday, January 3rd, newly elected members of Congress officially took office on Capital Hill. Among them was Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona—the first openly bisexual person to serve in the Senate. And in a moment of pure poetic irony, Vice President Mike Pence, notorious for his anti-LGBTQ politics, swore her into office (according to senate.gov, the vice president is required to swear in all new senators).
Sinema’s swearing-in was also notable for the fact that she did not swear on a Bible. According to Pew Research Center, she officially lists herself as religiously unaffiliated and is the only member of Congress to do so. A spokesperson for Sinema told azcentral.com that the new senator took her oath of office with her right hand placed on a law book that contained both the U.S. and Arizona constitutions.
Pence, for his part, kept things civil, telling Sinema that he was looking forward to working with her. However, many on Twitter joked that Pence seemed uncomfortable with the moment.
Homophobe Mike Pence had to swear in Kyrsten Sinema, the first out bisexual Senator in history, on a law book and not a bible. He seems uncomfortable and she’s having fun with it. This is everything. pic.twitter.com/1VxBsK1l0u
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) January 4, 2019
Kyrsten Sinema, first openly bisexual US Senator, reportedly being sworn in on a copy of the Constitution. Pence turns to stone and somewhere Mother is aghast. pic.twitter.com/u0S1ocBma6
— Kendra S (@goofy_goff) January 3, 2019
Kyrsten Sinema, bisexual US Senator, being sworn in on a copy of the Constitution not a bible, by a sexist, homophobic, racist man. I'm glad she stared him down in his face as he swore her in. A bigot cant act like a bigot, this is called a win win for women and LGBTQ everywhere. pic.twitter.com/WkgIx3Uqta
— Mr. Weeks ????? (@MrDane1982) January 4, 2019
Kyrsten Sinema, the first openly bisexual Senator in U.S. history, has been sworn into office. By anti-queer Pence. While swearing in on a law book instead of a bible. This whole picture is poetic. #ChangeIsComing pic.twitter.com/r51ytfKc62
— Gabrielle Faust (@Gabrielle_Faust) January 4, 2019
Mike Pence: I find you horrifying.
Kyrsten Sinema: Right back at you. pic.twitter.com/wqcDVSCHk3— Thor Benson (@thor_benson) January 4, 2019
The Hill reports that Sinema, in addition to being the first out bisexual senator, is only the second openly LGBTQ member of the Senate (Senator Tammy Baldwin is a gay woman). She’s also Arizona’s first ever female senator, and the first Democratic senator elected in the state since 1988. And many couldn’t help but comment on her chic and powerful choice of outfit for the special day.
We stan bisexual fashion icon @kyrstensinema pic.twitter.com/PlWsGYfNuQ
— Kevin Atkinson (@IKEAtkinson) January 3, 2019
excited to transition into a kyrsten sinema look book account this year pic.twitter.com/BkB5Zl1RHc
— xtopher aguilera ? (@chris_higgins_) January 3, 2019
We’re so excited to see what all the incredible women joining Congress this year accomplish—including Sinema.
