We all know that voting is important. For the last few years, our community and other marginalized communities have been feeling the consequences of dramatic backward sliding policy shifts put forward by elected officials who do not reflect the values of diversity and equity. Because many of these attacks, on their surface, can seem so different in scope their cause may seem disparate, but there is a strategy there. It has a name: Project Blitz. We found their playbook.
It sounds like something out of a movie, yet the reality is that extremists are leading a massive, coordinated effort to dismantle religious freedom, deny access to reproductive health care, and directly attack the LGBTQ community. Many of these policy shifts may seem innocuous at first glance; some boldly state that they are so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, but these bills are attempts to give licenses to discriminate even in instances of live-saving direct services and care.
In just the last couple of years, hundreds of bills have been introduced in 40 states in various levels of government. These coordinated efforts include partnerships with discriminatory attorneys who act to challenge laws in what they see as vulnerable judicial districts. When coupled with the Trump administration’s flood of anti-LGBTQ judicial appointments, these efforts pose a real threat to, not only our right to marry, but to the overall progress and safety for the LGBTQ community, women, religious minorities, people of color, and other marginalized groups.
While all of this may seem overwhelming, there are simple solutions. Engage! Even small local elections have consequences that can support or harm the most vulnerable among us. We know that when we stay vigilant and engage in our elections, progress is possible. If you need to update your voter registration, do it now. If you have the time, join us and our coalition partners in our nonpartisan Get OUT the Vote program – Vote with Pride where we will work to ensure that our community shows up to the polls. These attacks threaten the safety of all of us, but if we can face them together, then Together We Rise.
Fernando Lopez is the Executive Director of San Diego Pride. Lopez’s years of LGBT advocacy, nonprofit management, public education, diversity consulting, media relations, guest lectures, and organizing have made them a consistent presence ensuring the struggles of the LGBT community are ever visible.
