Dear Community:
Election day has come and gone, and we now await the final results amid the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, racial injustice, economic insecurity. If you are feeling anxiety, nervousness, or fear due to the uncertainty of these conditions and their potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community, you are not alone. We understand those feelings and want you to know that the Center is here for you.
If you need someone to talk to, you can always call the Center at (916) 442-0185 Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to be connected with a staff member who can provide support and resources free of charge. We will get through this together.
Due to record high voter turnout – including hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ voters – tallying ballots cast by mail because of the pandemic will take some time to ensure every vote is counted. No matter who you voted for, we must continue to use our collective voice to hold elected officials accountable and advocate for critical issues including affirming healthcare, racial justice, Trans rights, and fair immigration policies. The LGBTQ+ community includes people from all racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. That means we are uniquely positioned to continue to make meaningful, lasting changes when it comes to fighting for equity for ALL.
While the presidential result remains uncertain, it is encouraging to see how many diverse LGBTQ+ folks were elected around the country! Sarah McBride won a seat in the Delaware as the first openly transgender state senator in the nation and Stephanie Byers won a Kansas state House seat and became the first out trans person of color elected to a state legislature. In Oklahoma, Mauree Turne will be the first non-binary State Lawmaker in the U.S.. Michele Rayner-Goolsby is the first Black queer woman elected as a state legislator in Florida. In New York, Ritchie Torres became the first Afro-Latinx LGBTQ+ person elected to congress. This list does not encompass the dozens of other wins worth celebrating, but we are extremely proud of the progress being made through the visibility of these newly elected officials at the national level.
Regardless of what happens with the Presidential election, the Center and LGBTQ+ community will stand united with other marginalized groups who have been historically dehumanized including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, women, and immigrants as our fight for justice continues. Collectively, we hold the power to ignite change and build a safer, more equitable world for all.
If you can contribute to this important work as an advocate for the LGBTQ community, please consider making a donation to the Center’s Emergency Fund.
Also, try to take a break from social media and the ever-changing news this week and focus on your self-care.
Be kind to yourself and know that we are here always for you. Together we will thrive.
