News
Big day for gay candidates in N.C.
Brandon, Aiken face uphill fight in bids for Congress
The outcome of today’s primary in North Carolina will determine whether gay candidates in the state will carry the Democratic banner heading into the congressional mid-term elections.
Two openly gay candidates are on the ballot in congressional races: State Rep. K. Marcus Brandon, who’s running to represent North Carolina’s 12th congressional district, and Clay Aiken, who’s seeking the seat for the state’s 2nd congressional district.
Aiken has faced significant challenges during his congressional bid. Despite the buzz over his celebrity status and distinction as a runner up on “American Idol,” Aiken has raised only $287,000. Meanwhile, his opponent in the primary, former North Carolina commerce secretary Keith Crisco, has raised $680,000.
Crisco has also been hitting Aiken with negative ads. Aiken has touted his work on behalf of children with disabilities, but one Crisco ad with the slogan “No Show Clay” questions his commitment.
The ad asserts that after Aiken was appointed in 2006 to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, the singer never showed up to meet with the group. Aiken, who notes his membership on the panel on his campaign website, reportedly said in response he showed up for the first meeting of the group.
Whoever wins the election in the Democratic primary will go on to face Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), who’s considered the favorite in the Republican district.
Also facing a challenging primary is Brandon, who if elected could become the first openly gay black member of Congress. He’s in a crowded primary among five Democratic candidates seeking to replace former Rep. Melvin Watt, who left Congress to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
State Rep. Alma Adams is considered the front-runner in the race. She’s raised $386,000 compared to the $254,000 that Brandon has raised, although he’s in second in terms of funds raised among the candidates in the crowded field.
The 12th congressional district is heavily Democratic, so whoever wins the Democratic primary will more than likely have the seat secured. But if no candidate secures 40 percent of the vote, which is likely, a run-off election for the top two vote-getters will take place on July 15.
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed Brandon, but Aiken received no endorsement from the group.
Another race of note is the primary for the Republican nomination to run for U.S. Senate in North Carolina. House Speaker Thom Tillis, obstetrician Greg Brannon, and Baptist pastor Mark Harris are vying for the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C), who’s considered among the most vulnerable Democrats in the mid-term election.
All the Republican candidates have expressed opposition to same-sex marriage. Hagan, who spoke out against North Carolina’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, endorsed marriage equality last year.
As QNotes’ Matt Comer reports, gay representation in the state legislature is also at stake in the primary. Openly gay candidate Ty Turner is among a field of five candidates in the primary State Senate District 40, which is near Charlotte. Gay state candidate Derek Kiszely is running Kim Hanchette in House District 49.
But even if he wins the primary, Kiszely is unlikely to win the general election because he’s running in a Republican district. That means if Turner loses in the primary, the state General Assembly will likely have no gay representation for the first time in 10 years.
Polls opened today at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m.
Politics
Kamala Harris addresses country after Trump victory
Vice president spoke after she conceded to incoming president
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a large crowd of supporters Wednesday afternoon, following her loss to former President Donald Trump.
She began her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to honoring the outcome of the election and the peaceful transfer of power.
“I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign,” she said. “The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people, a fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at all best.”
Harris urged her supporters, many of them emotional, not to despair ā echoing remarks she has made in the past about the need to keep up the fight for justice.
“Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is, don’t ever give up. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place.”
More specifically, she said, “This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and stay engaged for the sake of freedom.”
“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time,” Harris said, “but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case.”
“But here’s the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”
Politics
A message from organizations committed to advancing LGBTQ freedom beyond the 2024 elections
āOurs is a long history of never backing down from a fight for our rightsā
Leaders of more than 80 LGBTQ organizations from around the country released the following joint statement to the Washington Blade on Wednesday:
Our LGBTQIA2S+ community has risen again and again to meet moments that have challenged our rights, our humanity, and our freedom. Today is no different.
Ours is a long history of never backing down from a fight for our rights. United in our strength, during the most difficult of times, we have pushed forward and achieved significant progress across the decades. From the early days of the Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis, to the Stonewall Uprising and HIV/AIDS activism, to achieving marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, to the fight for transgender rights, and beyond, we march on.
For every member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and for those who support us: Weāve got this. Weāve got us. No matter who you are, where you live, or the outcome of yesterdayās election, today we are an LGBTQIA2S+ community united. Together, across races, places, genders, and abilities, we have shown up for each other by organizing, mobilizing, and casting our ballots for the freedom to be ourselves. Our work continues.
Election outcomes at national, state, and local levels will impact our health, our safety, and our rights as LGBTQIA2S+ people and families. Despite anti-LGBTQIA2S+ efforts to divide our communities, and particularly severe attacks against transgender people and LGBTQIA2S+ youth, we have succeeded in moving a few steps closer toward equity and justice for our community. In particular, we celebrate the election of the first openly transgender person toĀ U.S. Congress, Rep. Sarah McBride (Del.), as well as out lawmakers U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson (Texas), and state Rep. Wick Thomas (Mo.), and cementing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in California, Colorado, and Hawaii.
Across the country, LGBTQIA2S+ organizations and advocates engaged and educated voters, made calls, sent texts, and knocked on doors to ensure every voter had the information necessary to cast a ballot. Every single conversation reflected our commitment to vote for our families, our freedoms, and our futures.
We know that so much more work lies ahead of us. Yet as an LGBTQIA2S+ movement, we will continue to work towards what we always have: a country where all LGBTQIA2S+ people are safe, seen, and accepted for who we truly are, without exception. We are here together, and we will move forward. Weāve got this. Weāve got us.
Shared by:
Advocates for Trans Equality
Basic Rights Oregon
CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers
Equality Federation
Equality Arizona
Equality California
Equality Delaware
Equality Florida
Equality Michigan
Equality New Mexico
Fair Wisconsin
Fairness Campaign
Fairness West Virginia
Family Equality
Garden State Equality
Gender Justice
Georgia Equality
GLAAD
Lambda Legal
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
Movement Advancement Project
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
NBJC
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
One Colorado
OutFront Minnesota
OutNebraska
PFLAG National
PFLAG Akron
PFLAG Athens, TN
PFLAG Blairsville
PFLAG Bowie
PFLAG Cape Cod
PFLAG Cape Girardeau
PFLAG Carson Region
PFLAG Charlotte
PFLAG Clayton-Concord
PFLAG Corydon-Leavenworth
PFLAG Danville – San Ramon Valley
PFLAG Danville / Central Susquehanna Valley
PFLAG Denver
PFLAG Fort Collins
PFLAG Franklin
PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire
PFLAG Ft Worth
PFLAG Geneva/Tri-Cities
PFLAG Georgetown
PFLAG Greater Boston
PFLAG Greater Orlando
PFLAG Greater Placer County
PFLAG Greensburg
PFLAG Hampton Roads
PFLAG Hartford
PFLAG Jersey Shore
PFLAG Lamorinda
PFLAG Lower Columbia
PFLAG Nazareth/Lehigh Valley
PFLAG of Door County
PFLAG Safety Harbor
PFLAG Salisbury Rowan
PFLAG San Diego County
PFLAG Socorro
PFLAG Storm Lake
PFLAG Tulsa
PFLAG Waukesha
Queer Vox
SAGE
Silver State Equality
Tennessee Equality Project
The Trevor Project
Transformation Project
Transgender Law Center
Politics
Aime Wichtendahl becomes Iowa’s first trans legislator
“I am honored to make history tonight.”
Aime Wichtendahl first made history as the first openly trans woman to be elected to government in the state of Iowa when elected to the Hiawatha City Council. She made history again this Election Day, becoming Iowaās first trans legislator.
Wichtendahl kept the seat blue by beating Republican opponent John Thompson 52 to 48. She will succeed Art Staed (D), who ran successfully for a state Senate seat, with unanimous support from the Democratic base.
Wichtendahl summed up her platform on a social media post days before the election as:
- Repeal the abortion ban
- Legalize marijuana
- Invest in public education
- Support unions
- Defend civil rights
“I am honored to make history tonight,ā WichtendahlĀ saidĀ in a statement toĀ The Gazette, āIt shows that Iowans and Americans at large are tired of the culture war politics and anti-trans legislation and will vote for leaders who prioritize their well being and work for them to get ahead.ā
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