Words of Encouragement for the LGBTQ+ Community on Election Day
“I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc is a long one… But from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice.” Theodore Parker, Of Justice and the Conscience,” 1853
The above quote has been used many times since the mid-1800s and is most commonly attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr, who frequently referenced Theodore Parker’s sermon in his own sermons and writings. I must admit there is a certain comfort in reading those words.
Even still, we live in tumultuous times. It’s easy to forget about all the progress we have made and lose hope… especially on election day in the United States.
Last night, I spent some time lurking on several LGBTQIA+ spaces on Reddit. (I tend to lurk more than post on any forum I join - I should change that!) The theme was the same across the different subreddits:
Pain and fear.
So many in our community spent much of yesterday and last night worrying about their safety and rights, and for good reason! Time and time again, we are shown how far the world – and even our own family and neighbors – have yet to go to understand what is at stake for us.
So, you might be wondering what, exactly, is at stake for the queer community coming out of the 2022 midterm elections?
Why is the LGBTQ+ Community so worried after the election?
Many of us are worried about our physical safety. Violence and hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community are still prevalent, especially in rural communities. When politicians keep getting elected that are openly bigoted, it gives everyone else a greenlight to hate openly and often without consequence. And their hate is LOUD.
Many of us are worried about our reproductive rights and the healthcare implications for everyone in overturning Roe vs. Wade.
Many of us are wondering if marriage equality will prevail, or if our marriages will no longer have legal standing, or if we will no longer be able to care for our sick loved ones or receive benefits if our partners pass away.
Many of us are wondering whether or not we need to uproot our families and move to a different community, a different state, or even a different country!
Many of us are wondering whether our kids are safe in school, or if Child Protective Services is going to show up at our door for providing our trans children with gender-affirming care (which has been proven to save lives)!
We are worried about both our personal and collective mental health.
We are worried about increased hate crimes against trans women of color.
We are worried about bullies - both kids and politicians/public figures. We are worried about increased suicide rates among LGBTQIA+ youth.
We are worried about losing our jobs and our livelihoods simply for being our authentic selves.
We are worried about being shoved back in the closet. Closets are dark and lonely places.
I could go on and on but I trust you get the gist by now. The steaks are exceptionally high. But why?
To put it plainly, it's because Conservative politicians are incessantly attempting to undermine our safety by rolling back our progress and our protections. Conservatives are introducing legislation left and right that would
Criminalize providing gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth
Ban trans-youth from participating in sports
Prevent the teaching of LGBTQ+ history or sex education
Prevent trans individuals from obtaining official documents that reflect their gender identity
Let healthcare workers refuse to serve LGBTQ+ individuals
Prevent LGBTQ+ families from fostering or adopting
Deny protections based on gender identity, sexual orientation, or expression
Reverse the legal status of same-sex marriages
There's still hope!
With all of the above (and more) to worry about, it's easy to lose hope. But please, my friend, do not despair! We have a lot to be thankful for in the queer community from this past election.
For one thing… the "Red Wave" that we were fearing never really happened. We did, however, get another Rainbow Wave!
At the time of writing this, there are still many races that are too close to call yet, but right now over 400 out LGBTQIA+ candidates have won their races. That's a big deal, and a huge increase from 2020's record of 336. The following information was collected from the LGBTQ Victory Fund which works hard to get LGBTQ leaders in our communities elected... because representation matters!
A Few Noteworthy Firsts for LGBTQ Candidates
Sharice Davids became the first Native American woman elected to Congress swell as the first openly LGBTQ MEMBER OF Congress from Kansas
Maura Healey became the first openly lesbian governor elected to run their state (Massachusetts)
Robert Garcia is the first gay immigrant elected to Congress (California)
Erick Russell became the first black and openly LGBTQ candidate to be elected to a statewide office by winning the race for state treasurer in Connecticut.
In Vermont, Becca Balint became not only the first gay person elected to Congress from their state, but she is also the first Woman elected to Congress from Vermont.
Eric Sorenson became the first gay person elected to Congress in Illinois.
The first out transgender man to be elected to a state legislature is James Roesener (New Hampshire).
George Santos (New York) will be the only LGBTQ Republican in either the Senate or House next term.
That's just a small sampling of the greatest on display within our LGBTQ+ community. Many glass ceilings have been shattered this week and much good will come from our queer leaders across the country.
There were a handful of overwhelming victories for LGBTQ rights in the 2022 midterm elections, as well!
In Nevada, 58% of voters “supported adding language to the Nevada Constitution that prohibits the denial or abridgment of rights on account of an individual's race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.”
65% of voters in California “supported amending the state constitution to prohibit the state from interfering with or denying an individual's reproductive freedom, which is defined to include a right to an abortion and a right to contraceptives.”
The majority Michigan voters (57%) “supported providing a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom, which is defined as "the right to make and effectuate decisions about all matters relating to pregnancy, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion care, miscarriage management, and infertility care."
So, again I will ask that we not wallow in despair. Instead, we need to continue moving forward and mobilizing until we are represented at every level.
Representation matters.
We will continue fighting for our rights.
We won't be silenced.
What are your fears and hopes coming out of the 2022 midterm elections?
I'm curious - what are you thinking about post-election? What are your fears? Where do you find hope to keep moving forward? Leave a comment below.
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