Four Stories You Should Know About
1. LGBTQ Candidates React to SCOTUS Draft Opinion on Roe v. Wade
A draft opinion by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, should it become the majority ruling, will overturn Roe v. Wade. In addition to being a devastating blow to abortion and reproductive justice, the potential ruling would also open the door to rollback the right to privacy. The right to privacy not only boosts the case for abortion services and reproductive justice, but provides the legal basis for many pro-LGBTQ rulings..
This decision will have dangerous impacts and cost lives. It will have enormous consequences for LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities whose legal rights often rely on the fundamental right to privacy, which the court majority appears determined to undermine. Read our full statement here.
Abortion rights are LGBTQ rights. Reproductive justice is critical to the full expression of our rights as members of the LGBTQ community.
LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidates must fight for the right to choose and the right to privacy. It’s a key part of our endorsement criteria. And our candidates are speaking out and taking action:
Pro-Choice Oregon, The Mother PAC and Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon wrote an op-ed about why Tina Kotek, our candidate for governor in Oregon, is “the most pro-choice candidate in the race.” As Oregon House Speaker, Tina helped pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which continues to safeguard the right to abortion for Oregonians regardless of what happens at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sat down with CNN to discuss how her anti-choice opponent is an “existential threat to women.” Dana has committed that she would never prosecute a woman for having an abortion.
Kris Mayes, running for Arizona Attorney General, publicly committed that as Attorney General, she would never prosecute a woman or a doctor for abortion. She is the only candidate in the race to make this commitment. Watch her full video.
In addition to running for the U.S. Congress and working to stop ‘Don’t Say Gay’ in the Florida House, Game Changer candidate Michele Rayner spends time volunteering as a clinic escort.
Game Changer candidate for the U.S. Congress Sean Meloy announced an endorsement from NARAL, the oldest existing abortion rights advocacy group in the U.S.
Kim Jackson, an Episcopal priest and the only out LGBTQ member of the Georgia state Senate, reminded the Court that the majority of Americans support Roe – and they’ll fight to defend it.
Leigh Finke, running for the Minnesota state House, emphasized that “bodily autonomy for women and queers is essential health care” before joining community members for a pro-choice rally.
Deja Alvarez, who is running for the Pennsylvania state House, joined EMILY’s List for a Twitter Spaces discussion about defending reproductive rights and the importance of electing pro-choice women. Deja is a lifelong health care advocate and is President of The Women's March for Philadelphia.
2. 20 State LGBTQ Lawmakers to Create Refuge States for Trans Youth
LGBTQ Victory Fund’s sister organization, LGBTQ Victory Institute, and our LGBTQ elected officials are fighting back against anti-trans bills. California state Senator and former Victory Fund candidate Scott Wiener is leading a nation-wide effort to pass trans refuge state legislation in 20 states. These bills would shield trans kids and their families from penalties when seeking gender-affirming care. Click here to read his legislation!
LGBTQ lawmakers committed to introducing their own versions of “refuge” legislation in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
Mayor Parker did not mince words about the importance of this work. “When trans kids’ lives are on the line, playing defense doesn’t cut it. It’s time to play offense.”
3. Two Anti-LGBTQ Attacks against Colorado Governor Jared Polis & Zachary Parker
Another homophobic attack has been launched against America’s only out gay governor, Jared Polis. One of Polis’s opponent’s, Greg Lopez, claimed his state is ready for a “a real First Lady again.” When not making homophobic comments, Lopez spent the interview defending his stance to ban abortion. Lopez, notably, pleaded guilty to violently assaulting his then-pregnant wife.
As if the choice between the two candidates wasn’t clear enough, Governor Polis signed a new abortion rights law, protecting the right to choose.
Zachary Parker, our candidate for DC Council, Ward 5, also faced a homophobic attack. His opponent, Vincent Orange, joined a Stonewall Democrats forum to question Zachary’s coming out story. Watch the video here.
4. Madison Cawthorn’s Continuous Scandals
North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn can’t seem to stop earning bad headlines. The latest include ANOTHER alleged ethics violation, ANOTHER citation and fine for bringing a gun to an airport (yes, he’s done it before) and a video that – well, it isn’t safe for work.
It seems like voters are more and more ready to turn their back on Cawthorn and cast their votes for a better candidate. We can’t recommend Game Changer candidate Jasmine Beach-Ferrara enough!
A long-time LGBTQ advocate and public servant, Jasmine is everything Madison isn’t: she’s qualified, prepared to lead, knows how to reach across the aisle and find solutions for North Carolinians. And while Cawthorn’s dismissing his scandals on Fox News, Jasmine’s crisscrossing the district to meet voters. Watch her latest ad here.
