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Three Stories You Should Know About
1. TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK
In 2021, two horrific milestones were achieved. State legislatures across the country introduced over 100 bills aimed at restricting trans rights - more than ever before - and many passed. In 2021, we also lost a historic number of trans people to anti-trans violence, most of whom were Black and Latinx.
As the 19th accurately points out, the two are inexplicably connected. The anti-trans political climate and language used by bigots to debate anti-trans bills dehumanizes and delegitimatizes trans identities, further othering trans people and trans children. You probably remember the fights over so-called “bathroom bills” – bigots are happily using the same language and formula during debates over school sports and health care to cast trans people as predatory villains.
And even if the bills in question don’t pass – and far too many of them did – the rhetoric and environment still force trans folks into “survival mode” and contribute to higher rates of suicide among trans children.
This Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance, we remember the almost 50 souls who were robbed of their right to exist. In a world that far too often singles out transgender people, it is our duty to remember those lost - and do everything we can to ensure more are not claimed by violence. Learn more about being an ally to trans and nonbinary youth, explore resources for supporting the trans community and creating a more inclusive world.
2. LILIANA BAKHTIARI READY TO WIN RUNOFF
Spotlight candidate Liliana Bakhtiari is still on the ballot this year! She secured 49.5% of the vote on election night, just short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Voters in the 5th District will head back to the polls on November 30th to choose who will represent them on the Atlanta City Council!
If elected, Liliana will make history as the first out LGBTQ Muslim person elected Georgia and the only non-binary person serving on a major city council in the United States. And if you’re in the Atlanta area, don’t forget to request your absentee ballot (today’s the last day)!
3. REDISTRICTING NEWS TO WATCH
Alarm bells are ringing for Sharice Davids' reelection campaign. Sharice, who made history as the first out LGBTQ congressperson from Kansas and one of the first Native women ever elected to the U.S. Congress, may be drawn into a much unfriendlier district during the state’s redistricting process.
In Kansas, the state legislature is responsible for redrawing congressional boundaries that will last for a decade. The State Senate President was filmed earlier this year saying that the state will need to draw gerrymandered maps to ensure Sharice has a harder time being reelected.
In Maryland, the redistricting process could potentially benefit Victory Fund endorsed candidate Heather Mizeur. She’s currently challenging U.S. Congressman Andy Harris, who was once described as one of the nation’s most anti-equality legislators, promotes COVID-19 misinformation, and who tried to bring a gun onto the House floor after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Regardless of how the maps ultimately shake out, Heather is ready to unseat Harris once and for all!
Looking to learn more about the redistricting process and see if you can take action in your state? Check out We Belong Together, our effort to ensure LGBTQ voices are included and counted in the redistricting process!
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CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT
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TWEET OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to out state Representative Matthew Wilson, currently running for Georgia Insurance Commissioner, on his recent wedding! The ceremony was officiated by state Senator Kim Jackson, who made history in 2020 as the Georgia's first out LGBTQ state senator.
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Paid for by LGBTQ Victory Fund. Your contribution may be used in connection with federal, state and local elections and be subject to federal, state and local laws. Contributions to LGBTQ Victory Fund are not tax deductible. Victory Fund members do not have governance participation rights.
LGBTQ Victory Fund is the political arm of the LGBTQ community. Since our founding in 1991, we’ve supported and elected LGBTQ candidates like U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Governors Jared Polis and Kate Brown and all nine LGBTQ members of U.S. Congress. We've boosted out candidates running for state and local government, including California Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Florida Senator Shevrin Jones, Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod, Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims, Hawaii state Representative Adrian Tam, Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner, and so many more (meet all of our current candidates here)! We’ve shattered rainbow ceilings in all 50 states and broken election year records. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today!
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