Dear John, This midterm election, PFLAG members across races, places and parties cast their ballots, fueled by a drive to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people. Thanks to millions of people who voted to make freedom’s promise real and to affirm that LGBTQ+ people deserve dignity and respect, many new and incumbent lawmakers, school board members, and judges who value LGBTQ+ people have been elected. We know that there is still a lot of uncertainty about many elections, and not all outcomes are good for our families. This is true especially for those with LGBTQ+ kids, including trans kids, who remain under direct attack and face difficult decisions in states like Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ohio, and Alabama (just to name a very few) to protect their family’s health and safety. We see you and support you. And still, we can and should also celebrate the important milestones and victories for LGBTQ+ people. In Massachusetts, Maura Healy is the first openly lesbian governor in our country whose race has been called, (there may soon be more!). In Colorado, Jared Polis is the first openly gay man to be elected and re-elected to serve as a governor in the U.S. And state legislators who are openly transgender have also been elected—and re-elected—including Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride, Minnesota State Senator Leigh Finke, New Hampshire’s James Roesener, the first openly transgender man to be elected state legislator, and both Michigan Legislator Emily Dievendorf and Massachusetts Legislator Sam Montano who are each non-binary. We also celebrate the LGBTQ+ people and allies who will now serve on school boards and city councils across the country. These are welcome outcomes that will make a real difference for so many people, including transgender youth and their families. And our friends at the LGBTQ Victory Fund are tracking many more. There are still many votes in many regions that have yet to be counted. There may be continued anger fomented by those who deny the election, and undoing the harms directed at LGBTQ+ people and families will take time. PFLAG National remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring all LGBTQ+ people and their families are safe, celebrated, empowered and loved, no matter where they live. We support election officials in their work to count every vote and we denounce efforts to sow fear, division, and discrimination. PFLAG National will continue to urge our lawmakers to pass laws that protect the civil rights of our LGBTQ+ loved ones. Yours in solidarity,  Brian K. Bond (He/Him), Executive Director
PFLAG National |
