John,
From the legacy of LGBTQ+ trailblazers to the power of queer youth today, there is a lot to celebrate this Pride Month. Our votes are not only influential but decisive. Just look at the material 🎉:
🌈 In 2023
- More than 200 out LGBTQ+ candidates won their races.
- Fabian Nelson became Mississippi’s first openly gay lawmaker.
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Danica Roem became Virginia’s first transgender state senator.
🌈 In 2022
- 340 queer candidates won their races.
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Maura Healey and Tina Kotek became Massachusetts' and Oregon’s first openly lesbian governors.
- Erick Russell became the first openly gay Black official elected to statewide office in the U.S. as Treasurer of Connecticut.
This increase in LGBTQ+ visibility and political power means the community’s rights are under attack, especially in the South, where an estimated 35% of LGBTQ+ Americans live. Last year, more than 500 state bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community were introduced, and 75 became law. Many of these laws target queer youth and put young trans people at risk:
- 21 laws restrict gender-affirming care for LGBTQ youth.
- Ten laws limit educational content or the use of pronouns aligning with students’ identities.
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Eleven laws prohibit transgender student-athletes from participating on sports teams that align with their identity.
- Over 20 states are suing to avoid complying with updated Title IX rulings meant to protect LGBTQ+ students.
LGBTQ+ voters have the power to change this country in 2024. As we celebrate the courage and power of the LGBTQ+ community in June, we must also use our voices at the ballot box in November — because every vote matters when protecting our communities. This Pride Month, join When We All Vote as we mobilize:
🌈 Celebrate the LGBTQ+ changemakers in your community.
🌈 Register to vote at whenweallvote.org.
🌈 DM or text three friends and ask them to check their voter registration.
