During her interview, she stated that she felt it was important to be honest about her sexuality this time. “It’s essential for me personally to be able to live 100 percent in my truth,” she told LGBTQ Nation,“but I also hope to have a broader conversation around heteronormativity.” Hoyer, who is serving his 20th term in Congress, beat Wilkes in the 2020 primary with 64.4 percent of the votes, but she earned more votes than any past challenger. She has made a name for herself as a progressive with her platform focusing on Medicare for All, criminal justice reform, a Green New Deal, and reproductive justice. She plans to run this time with the same focus, affirming that her district is in need of someone new. “I decided to run because the movement is still there, and we need more organizers, we need more activists, we need more people with lived experience in Congress,” she said. In the past, Wilkes has been open about the details of her life, including being incarcerated for driving without a suspended license because she couldn’t afford to pay her parking tickets, being arrested for cannabis possession at 20, having an abortion at 19, and how the grief from the death of her aunt led her to act out as a teenager landing her in and out of juvenile detention. Despite being so open about her personal life, she wasn’t ready to specifically address her sexuality. “It was a conscious decision,” she told LGBTQ Nation. “I purposefully did not want to come out. [I was] afraid of what people would say, and the stigma.”It’s official! I’m launching my ‘22 campaign for Congress in MD-05. Steny Hoyer has been my congressman my whole life. In 2020, we came closer than any primary challenger has in 40 years and won the in-person vote. Join us – because it’s time for some damn change. pic.twitter.com/daF8UESXyz — Mckayla Wilkes for MD-05 (@MeetMckayla) February 11, 2021
Until now, Wilkes has only been out to close friends but feels empowered by coming out and hopes she can empower others to feel comfortable with themselves. “The way I felt … I don’t want anyone to feel like that, so if I can just empower one person or 10 people or 100 people, I feel like that would be something good.” Related article: Congresswoman Pressley and ‘The Squad’ Want Better for AmericaLast cycle, people often assumed I’m straight. I’m not. I want to live my truth and have a broader conversation about heteronormativity. People shouldn’t have to “come out.” But I’m letting everyone know that I am bi in the hope that it empowers others.https://t.co/LtmKTuV1oB — Mckayla Wilkes for MD-05 (@MeetMckayla) February 11, 2021
