Dear John,

This Pride month, we’re taking a minute to celebrate the big wins a few of our LGBTQ alumni legislators have achieved. From protecting transgender youth to fighting food insecurity, our hard-working alumni have helped pass legislation across the country that is improving the lives of people in their communities.

But there’s a darker story about LGBTQ legislation at the state level that we can’t ignore. 2021 has already been designated as the “worst year in recent history” for anti-LGTBQ legislation by Human Rights Campaign. Republicans have already introduced over 250 laws attacking LGBTQ rights have been introduced at the state level, including more than 100 laws restricting the rights of transgender youth.

That’s why representation matters so much. Please donate $20.22 today to help us elect more LGTBQ state legislators who will push back against these incredibly harmful Republican bills.

Our alumni are bringing their full selves to protect and expand rights not just for their fellow LGBTQ constituents, but everyone living in their communities. Here are some highlights from just a few of our LGBTQ alumni:

Ann Johnson (Texas): We helped Ann get elected in 2020, and she has hit the ground running, earning the titles of both House Democrat Freshman of the Year and LGBTQ Freshman of the Year. She fought for increased healthcare coverage, fought against anti-abortion bills, and worked to pass a bill that increases services for human trafficking victims.
Danica Roem (Virginia): Danica became a national superstar and Sister District legend in 2017, when we helped her get elected as the first openly transgender state legislator in the country. Since then, she has been an outspoken advocate on a broad range of issues both local and universal, from alleviating traffic to helping Virginia become the first in the South to ban the “trans panic” defense. She also introduced a bill to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage on the basis of gender identity.
Claire Wilson and Emily Randall (Washington): Sister District supported both Claire and Emily in 2018, when they were the first two openly-LGBTQ women to be elected to the Washington State Senate. Since then they have been working hard, including co-sponsoring a bill to establish the Washington State LGBTQ commision. Emily was also elected as the Senate Majority Whip, and sponsored a comprehensive healthcare reform bill that established a permanent universal healthcare commission.

Representation matters. We couldn’t be more proud of these legislators, and we’re committed to continuing to support diverse candidates across the country, because our communities deserve to be represented by people who reflect the lived experience of the people who live there.

In solidarity,
The Sister District Team