Dear John: Today we welcome a new administration, as Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is sworn in as the next President of the United States, and Kamala D. Harris is sworn in as Vice President of the United States. This is an historic moment. Vice President-elect Harris, a child of immigrant parents, will be not only the first woman to serve as Vice President, but the highest-ranking female elected official in U.S. history, and the first Black woman and first South Asian woman to serve as Vice President. The new Administration also promises to be the most racially, ethnically, and gender diverse in our nation’s history, a Cabinet and government that Biden and Harris promised would look like our country. After four years of division, unrelenting attacks on LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, BIPOC, disabled people, and women, and a pandemic that continues to lay bare the many disparities in our country, we have an enormous amount of work to do. That work will include working to roll back the many rights and protections lost—and to fight for further justice and equality. PFLAG has never been more ready for this fight--and your gift to PFLAG National today will ensure that we are resourced and equipped! In the days ahead, you will see your gift put immediately to work, as we join the fight to: - Enact the Supreme Court’s Bostock ruling, which will undo Trump’s last-minute efforts to erase LGBTQ+ discrimination protections that were put in place by the Obama Administration;
- Pass H.R. 5, the federal Equality Act, ensuring that LGBTQ+ people are protected from discrimination across the country no matter where they live, work, play, study, or visit;
- Pass H.R.1, the For the People Act of 2021, which will expand Americans’ access to the ballot box;
- Undo the transgender military ban, rescind the Muslim ban, and allow reunification of families whose children were separated from them at our borders;
- Work to strengthen and expand helpful legislation, including DACA, comprehensive immigration reform, COVID-19 relief, the Affordable Care Act, and the Every Child Deserves a Family Act; and
- Push for fair and swift Cabinet confirmations, including for Pete Buttigieg, the nominee for Secretary of Transportation and Dr. Rachel Levine, the nominee for Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
PFLAG National has successfully moved legislation forward for nearly 50 years but legislation is only one part of the work. Having the difficult conversations to change hearts and minds is key to ensuring that a majority of people understand, support, and will join in the fight for legislation that will protect marginalized people from discrimination, harassment, and harm. Your gift to PFLAG National today will strengthen those conversations; ensure that legislation is enacted at the local, state, and federal level; and provide the education needed to move justice and equality forward. Thank you again -- we look forward to fighting the good fight with you. Onward,  Brian K. Bond, Executive Director
PFLAG National P.S. Tonight at 7pm ET/4pm PT, we are proud to partner on The Power of Equality, the LGBTQ Inaugural Event. This exciting event will include President Joe Biden; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Secretary of Transportation-designate Pete Buttigieg; Senator Tammy Baldwin; Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride; and Minneapolis, MN Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins, and many more. With appearances by Billy Porter, Melissa Etheridge, Alexandra Billings, and more, it promises to be the socially-distanced celebration we need! Register now at one.bidpal.net/unity/welcome, and be sure to select the "No Charge - Pre-Registration" option for free admission. |