Evelyn Mantilla

Evelyn Matilla is an American politician best known for serving as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007. She came out as America’s first openly bisexual state official in 1997.^[1]

Evelyn Mantilla was born in Puerto Rico in 1963 and moved to Connecticut when she was 15. After attending Manchester Community College and the University of Saint Joseph, Mantilla was elected to the predominantly Latino 4th district in 1997.

She has held a successful career, including reaching leadership positions with the National Council for Community and Justice, and the Hartford Sexual Assault Crisis Service. Her efforts have earned her awards from the National Association of Social Workers, and the Connecticut Institute for Community Development.

While her political career was concise and transparent, Mantilla was hiding part of her identity. “When I ran, I was not open about my sexuality. I realized that there was a big part of me that I was not bringing to that new table.”^[2]

In June of 1997, at a pride event, Mantilla gave a speech that included her public coming out, as well as a proposal to long-term girlfriend, Babette.^[3]

Feedback was mainly positive, but Mantilla faced some political backlash during her next run, and although she faced persecution from certain religious groups and conservative opponents, she went on to win that race with 88% of the vote.