• Equality
  • Community
    • Health
    • Youth
    • Seniors
  • Voices
    • From the CEO
    • Take Five
    • Why I Give
  • About the Center
  • Galleries
  • Calendar
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Slice, Slice Baby!
  • LGBTQ+ Youth, Seniors, and ‘Drag Race’ Queens Celebrate Chosen Family at Inaugural Intergenerational Thanksgiving Dinner
  • Dispensing Culturally Competent Care: The Center’s Patient-Centric Pharmacy Does Much More Than Fill Prescriptions
  • Get to Know the Center’s New Leadership Team
  • The Center Looks Back on 25 Years of Senior Services
  • Center CEO Joe Hollendoner: “Our Work Is Never Done”
  • Trixie Mattel Inspires LGBTQ+ Youth to Be Their Best Selves at Models of Pride: “You Are All the Main Character”
  • From Poetry to Tap Dance, Seniors Flaunt Their Talents at Fall Showcase 
Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube
LGBT News Now
Learn about career opportunities at the Center
  • Equality
  • Community
    • Health
    • Youth
    • Seniors
  • Voices
    • From the CEO
    • Take Five
    • Why I Give
  • About the Center
  • Galleries
  • Calendar
LGBT News Now
You are at:Home»Voices»From the CEO»Center CEO Lorri L. Jean on why LGBTQ+ Californians need to vote on September 14

Center CEO Lorri L. Jean on why LGBTQ+ Californians need to vote on September 14

0
By on September 7, 2021 From the CEO, Voices

By Lorri L. Jean

I remember the night so well. It was November 4, 2008, and the Center had planned a big election party for the LGBTQ community at the Music Box Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Hundreds of people had already gathered at the venue when the networks announced, at exactly 8 p.m., that Barack Obama would become the first Black president of the United States. The crowd saw the announcement on the huge TV screens around the venue and, communally sensing the historic nature of the evening, erupted into a volcanic roar of joy.

Our joy was short-lived. Before too long, there was a murmur going around the crowd: “It looks like we’re in trouble on Proposition 8.” “The exit polls aren’t good.” “How could this be happening?”

And sure enough, California voters narrowly passed Prop 8, which amended the state constitution to include a ban on same-sex marriage. Even recalling the period that followed the 2008 election brings on a kind of PTSD for people—especially Californians—in the LGBTQ community. The days that followed were full of anger and recrimination.

As it turned out, many of the initial analyses of what caused the failure to defeat Prop 8 were incorrect.  But one thing is clear: Many had taken our rights for granted. We believed that our fellow Californians  would not let us down. Many younger queer people whom I spoke to over the days and weeks following  the election were in a state of shock. They had assumed that, in this most liberal of states, we were long  past the era of legal discrimination and social ostracism and that LGBTQ people had emerged on the  other side, completely equal and fully empowered.

In those dark days following the election, I also learned another very disturbing thing: Some of the very people who took to the streets in anger following the passage of Proposition 8 had not voted.

Fast forward to 2021. In recent weeks I have been reading about the extremely low level of turnout  expected in the election to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. And I have been experiencing an  eerie feeling of “déjà vu all over again.” This probably shouldn’t have come as a shock to me. In our  voter education and outreach work here at the Center, we use the term “low propensity voters.” These voters are people who often support us on issues that affect the LGBTQ community but are unlikely to  vote for a variety of reasons. Given that this is a special election in an off year, the number of low propensity voters is likely to be even greater.

In this month’s election, voters are asked if the governor should be recalled. If a majority vote yes,  he will be removed from office. Voters will also be asked who should replace the governor if the recall  succeeds. And here’s the thing: It only takes a plurality for the replacement candidate to win. There are  46 candidates running to replace Newsom should the recall succeed. You can see how this turns the  notion of a democratic election on its head. Just imagine this scenario: 49% of the electorate votes to keep the governor in office, but nonetheless, the recall narrowly passes. Given the huge number of  candidates, the vote to replace him would be split 46 different ways and the new governor could win with 10% of the vote—or even less!

I know this may sound like I am being an “election nerd,” but this is a very important distinction for the  LGBTQ community. There are a number of candidates in the recall election who have made statements  and taken public stances that are openly hostile to LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities.  As I’ve just made clear, someone with anti-LGBTQ views could win with a very small percentage of the  votes.

This is why I am so unsettled by the newspaper articles saying that turnout will be so low. The people who oppose equal rights for our community are highly motivated by their homophobic and  transphobic views, and they will vote.

It is fair to assume that one of the reasons many people don’t vote, especially in our progressive state, is  their belief that we have moved past the old prejudices and orthodoxies that marginalized and  demonized queer and trans people. But the lesson of 2008 is that we cannot solely rely on others to  ensure that our rights are protected. Our community fought back after the passage of Proposition 8 and  has seen tremendous progress in the last 13 years. But we can never take that progress for granted.

As a non-profit service organization, the Center does not endorse candidates. So, I will be clear in stating  that I am not suggesting you should vote one way or another on the recall. But we must also be clear  that elections matter and, given the high stakes involved, I urge you to vote on September 14. Our  rights, our human dignity, and our very lives depend on it.

—————

To facilitate your involvement, here is some helpful information on the election: 

1. Register to vote: If you are eligible, you can register to vote or update your registration online at  registertovote.ca.gov. If you would like to fill out a physical form, voter registration applications  can be found at post offices and libraries. You must re-register to vote if you move, change your  name, or change your political party preference. The deadline to register to vote is August 30. If  you do not register before the deadline, you can still complete the Same-Day Voter Registration  process and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. 

2. Vote: Every registered voter will get a mail-in ballot. You can return your ballot by mailing it,  dropping it off at a Mail Ballot Drop box, or polling location. You can also vote in person.  3. Turn out the LGBTQ vote: If you want to help turn out pro-LGBTQ vote, come volunteer with the  Center’s Policy and Community Building department (with COVID protocol)! 

For more information, check out lalgbtcenter.org/vote

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

Get to Know the Center’s New Leadership Team

Center CEO Joe Hollendoner: “Our Work Is Never Done”

Center CEO Joe Hollendoner: It’s Time to Start Treating Human Monkeypox Like the Emergency It Is

Comments are closed.

Upcoming Events

Feb 4
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The Future is Black 2023: Renaissance

Feb 9
February 9 - March 4

Cock

Feb 10
February 10 - February 11

The MisMatch Game: Crazy Little Thing Called Love Edition

Mar 16
March 16 - April 16

Menstruation: A Period Piece

Apr 29
April 29 - June 24

A New Brain

View Calendar
About Us

LGBT News Now

LGBT News Now is a publication of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Center is the largest LGBT organization in the world, dedicated to building a world where LGBT thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.

Follow Us on Instagram

lalgbtcenter

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

Los Angeles LGBT Center
Last call for RSVPs: We have just a handful of ope Last call for RSVPs: We have just a handful of open seats left before we officially reach capacity! See the link in bio to register— and we cannot wait to see each of you this Saturday, Feb. 4! The question is now: what will you wear? #BHM #LAFabulous
This is not a drill: There are active legislative This is not a drill: There are active legislative threats against our freedoms going up for vote across the country. We know most of these fights are not happening in California—but that’s precisely why our Center community can be of help. Join the Resistance Squad today by texting ‘RESIST’ to 33339 to help win this fight, and swipe through the slides to understand what’s happening. —>
Did you know that the Center hosts a Senior Prom f Did you know that the Center hosts a Senior Prom for our #LGBTQ+ #elders each year? A few years ago, we were visited by filmmakers who wanted to document the event in all its glory—and now their film is airing tonight on @PBS at 10PM PT. Please tune in to celebrate the amazing work of our Senior Services team and our real heroes, our incredible clients! And stay tuned later this year for more from our next installment of the Prom.
Our community at the Los Angeles LGBT Center exten Our community at the Los Angeles LGBT Center extends our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those we lost in the tragic mass shooting in #MontereyPark, and our well wishes to the survivors who are recovering. We remain committed to our hope for a peaceful and prosperous Los Angeles—without guns and hate.
We’re honored to join the @academymuseum as a Co We’re honored to join the @academymuseum as a Community Partner for the upcoming screening of Pat Rocco's Signs of Queer Life on January 26 at 7:30pm.

The trailblazing LA-based filmmaker and gay rights advocate, #PatRocco, captured seminal moments of LGBTQ history, joy and upsets. Check out a preview of his film #WeWereThere. Use discount code LGBTQ+ to get $2 off tickets to the screening! Link in our bio. 
 
#AcademyMuseum #LGBTQstories
The Center is proud to announce our inaugural thea The Center is proud to announce our inaugural theatre season! This year, we are partnering with local theatre companies to present nearly 100 showings of four remarkable plays to lift the depth and diversity of LGBTQ+ narratives. The line-up includes world premieres, an award-winning comedy, and a radically reimagined musical. Performances begin Feb. 9—Get your tickets now at lalgbtcenter.org/theatre, or at the link in our bio! 🎭 🎟️
SHE DID NOT COME TO PLAY! The one and only @bigfre SHE DID NOT COME TO PLAY! The one and only @bigfreedia, Queen of Bounce, is coming to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for #TheFutureIsBlack — our #BlackHistoryMonth event — and tickets are FREE to the public at the #linkinbio. Hear from Freedia and a dynamic roster of other Black talent, then dance the night away in our Renaissance-themed afterparty. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 4th and get on that list at the link in bio before it closes.
Today we commemorate one of our nation’s most pr Today we commemorate one of our nation’s most preeminent civil rights leaders— the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.— who left us a transformative legacy rooted in service and community. His noble actions blueprinted monuments of unity across the country, and especially, here at home in Los Angeles. On this #MLKDayofService, we are reminded of our ability to champion equity and justice for all.
 
#DrKing #MLKDay
We at the Los Angeles LGBT Center are deeply distu We at the Los Angeles LGBT Center are deeply disturbed by the videos depicting the tragic deaths of three Angelenos, and join the Mayor in calling for urgent police reform and accountability. Swipe through for our full statement.

#TakarSmith #KeenanAnderson #OscarSanchez
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Stay Connected
Subscribe
Copyright © 2022 Los Angeles LGBT Center
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.