Dear Supporters,
As the Midterms dust settles this morning, some striking victories for LGBTQ candidates and our allies are coming into view 🎉
While we certainly didn’t win all the pro-equality majorities across state and federal government that we need, we must recognize how far we have come, and we must redouble our efforts in the next two years.
A Pro-Equality Majority in the House of Representatives!
Democratic control of the U.S. House brings:
- a pro-LGBTQ-equality majority to one arm of Congress, and the incoming House leadership has promised to make the Equality Act a priority
- the potential for meaningful oversight of the Trump Administration’s anti-LGBTQ agenda
- the potential to advance the Every Child Deserves a Family Act
Record Wins for LGBTQ Candidates, including LGBTQ Parents!
Just a few examples:
- Sharice Davids becomes first LGBTQ person and Native American to represent Kansas in Congress
- Jared Polis from Colorado becomes the first gay man – and gay dad – to be elected governor in the U.S.
- Chris Pappas becomes New Hampshire’s first openly gay member of Congress
- Angie Craig defeats anti-LGBTQ congressman to become first openly LGBTQ person – and lesbian mom – elected to Congress from Minnesota
… and across the country, many state legislatures added their first, or additional, out LGBTQ representatives to their rosters.
LGBTQ parents can let our kids know that families like ours were heard, respected, and elected last night.
Outspoken Generation Co-Chair Zach Wahls Becomes First Person with Openly LGBTQ Parents Elected to State Government!
Many of you will remember the viral video of Zach defending his moms against an attempt to invalidate same-sex civil unions in back in 2011. Continuing his record of leadership, Zach is now Senator-elect for Iowa’s Senate District 37.
Voters in Massachusetts Overwhelmingly Rejected Repeal of Transgender Protections
In doing so, Massachusetts became the first state in US history to successfully defend transgender rights by popular vote!
Democrats Regain Control of the New York State Senate
… raising the prospect of finally overturning the state’s draconian law prohibiting gestational surrogacy.
It’s up to us to keep up the pressure, to fight for equality for LGBTQ families. Show that you’re with us by donating today. Every contribution, from $10 to $1,000, helps create the future our children need.
Tenacity, Courage, Hope.
The Rev. Stan J. Sloan, CEO, Family Equality Council