John,
Today is National Coming Out Day and in honor of this occasion, I want to be vulnerable with you for a moment and share my personal painful story about my own coming out experience.
In 1994, my Republican opponent outed me as gay with bigoted and homophobic ads to our district. I hadn’t even come out publicly yet!
For members of the LGBTQ+ community, coming out is an extremely personal and sensitive moment. So, you can imagine my horror and heartbreak upon finding out I had been outed so publicly in such a hateful way. I was crushed.
I ended up losing that extremely competitive race and it wasn’t until 18 years later that I finally won my race for Congress in 2012.
John, I’m so glad that in the face of such discriminatory attacks, I didn’t give up.
Now, I can fight for LGBTQ+ equality and dignity in our nation’s capital and stand up for other marginalized Americans.
But sadly, since 2012, Republican bigotry and vitriol has not slowed down. Trump’s MAGA Republicans have spread hatred and divisiveness around the world while Republican state legislatures are passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as fast as they can.
John, in 1994 when I was attacked for my identity, I lost my race because I didn’t have good people like you by my side. But now I do -- and I’m hoping that I can count on you to chip in $5 to help me fight back against hateful Republicans and stop their anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. Will you help me raise $10,000 before midnight? >>
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Thank you so much -- I’m so glad to have your support.
Sincerely,
Mark Takano
PAID FOR BY MARK TAKANO FOR CONGRESS
