Tonight, ABC News will host the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. This event is set to be one of the most watched presidential debates in modern history, making it the perfect opportunity to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, especially considering that the first debate—between President Joe Biden and Trump—made no mention of LGBTQ+ issues in America.

But the Republican party, for better or worse, has made LGBTQ+ people a focal point of their platform. This year, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures across the country. During the Republican National Convention, there were several references to LGBTQ+ people, trans youth, and book bans. Last week, during an interview with the extremist group Moms For Liberty, former President Trump made several false statements about transgender people. 

The Democratic party, however, has not made any appeal to LGBTQ+ voters this election cycle. Considering that President Biden and Vice President Harris have made some significant progress for LGBTQ+ people, including fighting to expand Title IX to protect queer youth, you’d expect them to tout their record. But instead, they’ve remained silent – perhaps to appeal to moderate voters. 

Whatever the reason is, ignoring LGBTQ+ issues or failing to discuss them in depth is a bad strategy. LGBTQ+ people in America are under constant attack, and these issues need to be addressed.

Related
Trump’s latest perverted trans youth fantasy just keeps going

This year, lawmakers in America have introduced hundreds of bills targeting LGBTQ+ people. In Florida, a federal judge has given the state permission to interrupt gender-affirming care for transgender youth and adults. In Missouri, transgender people are no longer allowed to update the gender markers on their ID unless they provide proof of gender reassignment surgery. Three states have introduced religious exemption laws that give businesses the right to deny gay people services. These laws make queer people and their families feel unsafe in America. 

These constant attacks on queer people from political leaders have only worsened the experiences some face in everyday life. The FBI reported that hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have been on the rise. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation have risen 13.8%, while attacks based on gender identity have climbed 32.9%. 

And these aren’t just statistics. According to the Human Rights Campaign, between January and August of this year, a transgender or gender non-conforming person was killed almost every week in America. 

If the danger we’re facing isn’t enough of a convincing argument, the presidential candidates should discuss LGBTQ+ issues because LGBTQ+ people have voting power! The LGBTQ+ voting bloc is one of the fastest-growing groups in America, with some of the highest enthusiasm. The 2022 midterm elections saw a surge of approximately 2 million new LGBTQ voters compared to 2020. 94% of eligible LGBTQ+ voters say they will vote in this year’s election. 

As active participants in the electoral process, candidates must take our concerns seriously and tell us how they will be addressed.

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock our articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Once Monthly Annually

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated