Every vote must be counted – and our work doesn't end there. 

Friends,

Over the past month millions of Americans came together to cast their ballots, and today, so many of us woke up knowing that we left it all on the field. Voter turnout was historic – and that’s because of all of you who voted, got out the vote, and did everything you could to encourage friends and family members to make their voices heard at the polls.

Right now, votes are still being tabulated – and experts have not made projections in the races for the presidency, many key U.S. Senate races, and other important races, given the high number of absentee ballots yet to be counted. We’ll continue to monitor the results and call for every vote to be counted.

As we wait, let’s be sure to reflect on the many out LGBTQ candidates who won their races up and down the ballot – including the first two out state legislators in Tennessee (Torrey Harris and Eddie Mannis), the highest ranking out transgender state lawmaker in Delaware (Sarah McBride), and trailblazing candidates in Florida (Shevrin Jones, the first out state senator and Michelle Rayner, the first Black queer woman in the legislature). Read more LGBTQ victories here. ([link removed]) On top of that, Florida overwhelmingly voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and Mississippi united to change its racist state flag. Those are important steps forward.

In the coming hours and days, as ballots are counted, we encourage y’all to stay calm and stay grounded: Just like everything else this year – a year where the COVID-19 pandemic has upended so many of our routines and normal approaches to life – this election looks and feels different. But we’ll eventually get to a final outcome, and the country will move forward, together.

Wherever the final results end up, we know that our work doesn’t stop here. We will have to be all hands on deck to encourage our elected officials to pass pro-LGBTQ policies and defend against discrimination. And regardless of where the final results end up, anti-LGBTQ forces aren’t letting up: We’re expecting to see discriminatory bills filed in state legislatures, including many Southern legislatures. Just this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could roll back LGBTQ protections. It will be up to us to continue building our momentum, sharing our stories, holding the line, and pushing forward.

Today, take a minute to breathe. And once everything settles, I can’t wait to keep working with you to build a South where all of us can thrive.

Thank you,
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Campaign for Southern Equality
Donate to the Campaign for Southern Equality ([link removed])

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