Hi John,

With GOP lawmakers across the country seeking to do as much harm as possible to the LGBTQ+ community, we must remain committed to fighting for and alongside our friends, family members, and neighbors to defeat extremism at the ballot box.

As of this week, 20 states have banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth with eight more considering bans—leaving 30% of transgender youth without access to medically necessary care, and an additional 13% at risk of losing access.

Earlier this year, Tennessee Republicans banned drag performances in public, and at least 14 other states are considering similar absurd, hateful bans.

In Florida, anti-LBGTQ+ laws have been enacted at a record pace, with six new laws in 2023—more than the past seven years combined. These laws require transgender individuals to use the bathroom matching their sex assigned at birth, allow for bans of certain curriculum in public schools and universities, sanction discrimination in health care, and threaten health care access for Florida’s transgender community.

We can fight back against this extremism by electing leaders—up and down the ballot—who are committed to protecting human rights and personal freedoms. That’s why we’re organizing early to elect more Democrats this year, in 2024, and beyond.

In sharp contrast, states with Democratic governors and Democratic state legislative majorities are taking action to protect the LGBTQ+ community.

In Minnesota, the new Democratic trifecta has passed bills ensuring folks who come to Minnesota from GOP-controlled states can receive gender-affirming care, outlawing conversion therapy, and preventing courts from complying with child removal requests relating to gender-affirming care.

Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Vermont have passed or are considering similar bills or constitutional amendments to enshrine civil rights for the LGBTQ+ and to protect their medical care providers..

This fight is urgent, and the work cannot stop and start each year in June during Pride Month. Rights, freedoms, and lives are at stake. To continue making progress, we must elect more Democratic majorities at the state and federal level.

The fight to protect LGBTQ+ rights requires all of us. Thank you for your commitment to this work.

The Swing Left Team

You can support the people, processes, and infrastructure that make year-round organizing to elect Democrats up and down the ballot possible by making a contribution to Swing Left.

Sources: CBS News, Human Rights Campaign, NPR

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