Brian Sims
A pugnacious Pennsylvania legislator who broke barriers as the state's first openly gay lawmaker and became a fiery advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Born 1978 (age 48)·American politician·Birthday: September 16·Generation X
Biography
Brian Sims burst onto the Pennsylvania political scene not as a cautious newcomer, but as a determined advocate ready to pick fights for equality. His 2012 election to the state House was historic, making him the first openly gay person to serve in the legislature, a milestone in a historically traditional political arena. Sims, a former college football captain and lawyer, brought an athlete's combative energy to his role; he was known for passionate floor speeches, sharp social media commentary, and direct challenges to conservative opponents. He championed LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, and government reform, often positioning himself as a progressive bulldog within the Democratic caucus. His style earned him both ardent supporters and fierce critics. After five terms, he left the House for an unsuccessful run for Lieutenant Governor, later moving into advocacy and consulting. Sims's legacy is that of a trailblazer who refused to be a token, using his platform to loudly and unapologetically push for social change.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Brian was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Brian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first openly gay person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 2012.
- Served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for five terms, from 2013 to 2022.
- Authored and championed legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors in Pennsylvania.
- Was a leading voice in the legislature for LGBTQ+ equality, abortion rights, and election reform.
Did You Know?
Before politics, he was a linebacker and team captain for the Bloomsburg University football team.
He worked as a lawyer specializing in civil rights and election law prior to his election.
He gained national attention in 2013 for publicly calling out a state representative who walked out during his inaugural speech.
He ran for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in 2022, finishing second in the Democratic primary.
“My job is to fight for people who've been left behind.”
