Yesterday, as all of the newly elected U.S. Senators were sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence, one Senator in particular became the talk of social media.
Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who defeated Republican Martha McSally in November to replace the departing Jeff Flake as one of Arizona’s Senators, not only has become the first elected female U.S. Senator from Arizona, but she also became the first openly bisexual U.S. Senator in history.
This is why her swearing in ceremony with the very religious Mike Pence was one of the most talked about. Sinema, who is also the only openly ‘religiously unaffiliated‘ member of Congress, decided to take her oath of office using the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions rather than the Bible or other religious text.
As you can see below, her exchange with Vice President Mike Pence, is both a bit awkward (at least for Pence), and quite humorous. At one point Sinema looks down at the spot where most Senators’ spouses are supposed to stand, then looks back up before jokingly asking, “Could we get a spouse? Just kidding.”
Kyrsten Sinema, the first female Senator from Arizona and the first openly bisexual Senator in history, was sworn in by Mike Pence today. Also, she swore on a law book and not a bible.pic.twitter.com/lslrHy7M6w
— Negar (@NegarMortazavi) January 4, 2019
Social media has had a lot to say about Sinema’s classy, yet humorous take on her swearing in.
Today, Vice President Mike Pence—who built his career on demonizing the LGBTQ+ community—had to swear in the first bisexual member of the U.S. Senate.
RETWEET if you support Senator Kyrsten Sinema as she fights for justice and equality in the Senate! pic.twitter.com/65jfnpqnE8
— Protect Robert Mueller ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) January 4, 2019
Mike Pence had to swear in bisexual Senator @kyrstensinema on a lawbook without another woman present. I think she just won Anti-Pence Bingo! #BlueWave #OurHouse https://t.co/KTHMmbVq1z
— Dan Emerson (@dscapp) January 3, 2019
Oh sweet, poetic justice. Kyrsten Sinema, the first openly bisexual Senator in U.S. history, has been sworn into office using a law book instead of a bible by Mike Pence today. #116thCongress #swearinginday pic.twitter.com/ZGeei19Bs0
— Farrah Alexander (@AuthorFarrah) January 3, 2019
The fact that Kyrsten Sinema, the first openly bisexual AND agnostic US Senator, has to be sworn in by Mike Pence just makes it that much better.
And the book she held? A law book featuring the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/Dji4PfvdNk
— Parker (@parkerbutler10) January 4, 2019
I love that @mike_pence had to swear in @kyrstensinema despite his beliefs today. #Senator #AZ #Sinema #Pence
— Josh Billingsley (@jbills83) January 4, 2019
Mike Pence swore in the first openly Bisexual member of the US Senate. I’m utterly obsessed with Kyrsten Sinema! pic.twitter.com/uX07sG4AtG
— Brian Wingbermuehle (@winger_brian) January 4, 2019