This is an all-hands-on-deck moment in our history
BY RACE BANNON
The election is over. LGBTQ voters turned out for Harris in large numbers. It wasn’t enough to counteract the other side’s aggressive campaign of hate and lies.
We’re now facing a potentially horrific four years for the queer communities, and for women, people of color, immigrants, and frankly everyone except wealthy white heterosexual men because reality will set in someday that most Trump voters screwed themselves over.
But, now what? How do you proceed if you’re queer?
LGBTQ people in our country are facing the quite real likelihood that many of the rights and freedoms we’ve increasingly enjoyed over the past few decades will be curtailed significantly. Same-sex marriage is in a precarious position. Trans people are justifiably frightened since transphobic scare tactics were effectively leveraged to rally hate. LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws are at risk.
So, what do we do? Here’s my opinion. I’ve been around queer politics and politics generally for a long time, but that doesn’t mean my opinions are always correct. That said, I stand by this advice.
You will hear suggestions to get or renew your passport, prepare your finances and situation so you can best run should that become necessary, or leave the country entirely. I’m not saying those people are wrong, but I also know most can’t or won’t be able to leave. Plus, many are dedicated to staying and fighting the good fight. Therefore, let’s focus on practical, actionable things you can do to make the situation better.
Let’s get some obvious things out of the way.
Vote. Always. In every election. Forever. This should be obvious, especially right now, but it’s astonishing how many people don’t vote.
If you have disposable income, toss some money toward any organization or entity working to improve LGBTQ rights and progressive causes. Same for organizations pushing back against right-wing efforts.
Only give your money to progressive queer or queer-friendly businesses to the best of your ability. Don’t assume just because a business is owned by an LGBTQ person that it necessarily has the community’s best interests in mind. Do some research as best you can and spend your money accordingly.
“Let’s focus on practical, actionable things you can do to make the situation better.”
If you have anything to do with an LGBTQ event of any kind, or one that espouses LGBTQ inclusion, get political. This is not the time for “bothsidesism” or any of that dangerous nonsense. Sure, listen to whoever you want, but never forget good and evil exist and should never be perceived as having equal weight in a moral or ethical sense.
All Pride events should now revert to their roots and focus on protest and activism. If a corporate sponsor refuses to unequivocally support our side, remove them from the event. Fancy floats and festivals are nice, but we must realize we have less to celebrate right now and more important work to do. We must not allow our political resolve to be muted by dangling dollars.
Volunteer. LGBTQ groups, organizations, and events always need volunteers. So do political movements and campaigns. Nothing is as empowering as volunteering to make the world a better place through community work or political action.
Those are things I hope everyone does. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment in our history and if we don’t all chip in our time, effort, and money, our country could become a true hellscape for LGBTQ people for decades to come. Let’s all try to avert that outcome.
I also want to emphasize how important community is right now. Isolation is a bad idea. The more we can gather, communicate, and support each other, the more cohesive we’ll be when the going gets tough. Embedding yourself deeply within queer community will improve your mental health and give you the energy and resolve to contribute.
Despite the election results, I have hope. But hope without action is hollow. So, let’s combine the power of hope with the pragmatism of action.
