C.J. Rose faces some major hurdles to winning a Idaho Legislature seat.

She’s a Democrat from North Idaho, for starters.

She’s running against incumbent Rep. Dick Harwood, a Republican.

She lives in District 2, which includes parts of Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties.

Oh, and one more thing: Rose is gay.

Someday that detail won’t matter, just as it really doesn’t matter any longer whether a candidate is a man or a woman. Despite gay marriage becoming legal in California and Massachusetts, despite major gains in civil rights in many states, and despite national polls that show Americans are growing more tolerant, gay and lesbian people still hide out in some high-profile closets.

You can’t really be a major movie star and be gay. You can’t be a gay minister in most denominations. And, for sure, you can’t easily be in politics as an openly gay person. The Victory Fund, a national group that financially supports gay candidates, reports that – out of more than 500,000 elected and appointed officials – there are just 625 openly gay officials in North America. Most are in the United States. Canada has 21 and Mexico just one.

The Victory Fund’s Web site shows photos and bios of the out-of-the-closet elected and appointed officials, from state legislators to judges. There are 35 in Washington. Idaho has only one.

Politicians who think they must hide their sexual orientation often end up hurting those closest to them – and their constituents. The former governor of New Jersey, James E. McGreevey, acknowledged in 2004 that he was gay and had had an affair with a male aide. He and his wife divorced. He later admitted that he married to advance his political career.

The 625 North American public officials who emerged from the political closet have discovered that their constituents want the same from them as from heterosexual politicians. They want sound representation, wise decisions, honesty and integrity. Openly gay candidates and public officials help voters and constituents understand that a lawmaker’s sexual orientation should be the least of concerns.

C.J. Rose – in rural, conservative Idaho – is the latest to join their ranks. Welcome to society’s sea change.