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A message from Brad Sears, Founding Executive Director

Dear Friend,

I rarely send out a message about the results of an election because, normally, that is outside of our mission. That is not the case today. Today, it is mission-critical.

The Williams Institute is not a political organization. We are not advocates. We are not partisan. However, our mission is rooted in the belief that research and facts will improve the lives of LGBTQ people. We are against myths, stereotypes, and misinformation. Our mission rests on the core belief that, in time, the minds of policymakers, neighbors, and community members can be, and will be, reached by truth, and that will improve the lives of LGBTQ people.

In the coming days, we will learn more about how Donald Trump was re-elected President. We already know that his campaign invested in myths, stereotypes, and misinformation about LGBTQ people, and his administration is committed to policy rollbacks based on the same. His campaign spent over $100 million on ads spreading misinformation about transgender people. We know that Project 2025 is riddled with pushbacks on LGBTQ rights that are supported by statements that are unequivocally contradicted by research, including that LGBTQ people and parents are threats to children. We also know that part of the playbook of this administration will not only be spreading misinformation but
directly attacking researchers and institutions ([link removed])
like the Williams Institute, which are committed to the pursuit of truth.

We want to assure you that our dedication to the pursuit of truth is as unflinching today as it was yesterday. It is as steadfast as it was in 2016 when Trump was elected President for the first time, as it was in 2008 when Prop 8 was passed, and as it was in 2001 when the Williams Institute was founded--when there wasn't marriage equality anywhere in the world and criminalizing LGBTQ people was still legal in several states.

A belief in research and truth about LGBTQ people as an agent of change was an act of faith in 2001. Today, it has a proven track record. And despite the extraordinary challenges of this moment, we continue to have that faith today. We see it in the election of the first transgender Congressperson. We see it wins for marriage equality and reproductive freedom at the ballot box across a number of states. We see it in the 8% of voters in yesterday's election who identified as LGBTQ and who
voted overwhelmingly— ([link removed])86%--for truth.

We stand by our mission. We stand by truth. We stand with you in pushing back on the coming attacks and protecting the most vulnerable individuals within LGBTQ communities.

We also stand with you in keeping our eyes on the long game and conducting research that not only responds rapidly to the challenges of the day but paves the way for a better future.

While it would be foolish to say we were ready for this moment, we are prepared:

* Since the Dobbs decision, we have been actively updating the research foundation for
marriage equality ([link removed])
and
parenting rights ([link removed]).
* Over the past several years, we have continued to conduct research supporting transgender people and their
access to gender-affirming care ([link removed]).
* We have developed frameworks for understanding how
anti-LGBTQ attacks are precursors to democratic backsliding ([link removed])
here and abroad.
* We have grown our researchers and staff because we know that LGBTQ issues are any issues that impact LGBTQ people, including
immigration, ([link removed])
reproductive justice ([link removed]),
housing ([link removed]),
food insecurity ([link removed]),
mass incarceration ([link removed])
% link:[link removed] name=", and climate change" content=", and climate change" %].



Today, all I ask of you is to take care of yourself and to remain committed to the pursuit of truth and equality. I encourage you to join us on November 15 for a
webinar on the election results ([link removed])
and their impact on the future of democracy and LGBTQ rights.

Thank you for being part of the Williams Institute family. I am so grateful for our community today.

In solidarity,
Brad



The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is an academic research institute dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.


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