Kyrsten Sinema 'Elle' Interview: Congresswoman Wonders If Her Male Counterparts Are Asked The Same Questions

Kyrsten Sinema is keeping her private life private.

Sinema, the first openly bisexual member of Congress, said this is no uncertain terms in a profile by Ann Friedman for Elle in May 2013. When asked about her plans for marriage and children, Sinema refused to answer, saying: “I don’t really think that’s any of your business. Not a lot of people ask young men in politics.”

This isn't the first time the Congresswoman has refused to answer personal questions. In January, when asked at an event how her sexual orientation might inform her stance on policy, she responded: “I don’t have a story to tell... I don’t think this is relevant or significant. I’m confused when these questions come up.”

Are Sinema and other female politicians asked questions like this simply because they are women? Friedman wrote that they are not, citing a Washington Post feature on “bachelor congressmen” from 2011 and questions posed to a single Congressman back in 2009.

However, research has shown that female politicians are treated differently in the media and harmed by stereotypes about how men and women "should" act. Female politicians are also judged much more harshly on their looks and sartorial choices than their male counterparts.

In January, Sinema told NPR: "I speak my mind. I'm not really afraid of things. I actually don't think that's that unusual."

We hope that doesn't change.