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by Brandon Hooks •
The past year was eventful, to say the least. From handling a worldwide pandemic to seeing the consequences of unchecked systemic racism to preparing for the most consequential election of our lifetimes, 2020 presented challenges that tested the resilience and strength of communities everywhere. As we reflect on the past year and look toward the future ahead, it’s important we acknowledge the adversity we faced and recognize the victories LGBTQ people everywhere achieved.
Record Endorsements Up and Down the Ballot
Every person deserves to see themselves and their identities reflected in public office, which is why we set out to endorse candidates reflective of communities across the country. HRC endorsed 650 candidates on the local, state and federal levels — the most in our organization’s history — to build a pro-equality pipeline dedicated to making a difference. This slate of candidates was also the most diverse to date, with 11.2% identifying as LGBTQ, 34.5% as people of color and 53.7% as women.
We're proud to endorse these openly LGBTQ leaders, who have been champions for pro-equality issues, for reelection.
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 19, 2020
🏳️🌈Vernetta Alston
🏳️🌈Cecil Brockman
🏳️🌈Deb Butler
🏳️🌈Allison Dahle
🏳️🌈Marcia Morey
North Carolina: Early voting has begun and runs through October 31. VOTE! #NCPol pic.twitter.com/1RMFpOdnRB
Grassroots Mobilization Like Never Before
COVID-19 may have changed the way we approached our election efforts, but it didn’t stop us from turning out in record numbers. All in all, we made a significant difference this election by mobilizing staff and volunteers nationwide.
We have been on the ground in key battleground states since 2018 mobilizing voters to elect a pro-equality president and Congress.
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) July 26, 2020
Get involved with us:
🌵Arizona (@HRCAZ)
🚗Michigan (@HRC_MI)
☀️Nevada (@HRC_NV)
🌳Ohio (@HRC_OH)
🔔Pennsylvania (@HRC_PA)
🐮Wisconsin (@HRC_WI) pic.twitter.com/xpeLwQHt6D
History at the Highest Court in the Land
The passing of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bade Ginsburg and subsequent stolen confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett was a blow to many, but we still celebrated crucial decisions by the Supreme Court in 2020. LGBTQ people everywhere rejoiced as the Supreme Court chose the right side of history in its landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which declared both sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Attempts to overturn trans-inclusive school policies in Oregon and protections for the children of same-sex parents in Indiana weren’t even given a day in court, and anti-LGBTQ extremists were blocked from presenting their dangerous cases. The Court affirmed protections for DACA recipients, ensuring the nearly two million DREAMers across the country can continue to live in the place they’ve come to call home.
BREAKING NEWS: In a landmark decision, #SCOTUS affirms that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected characteristics under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. pic.twitter.com/H3fPldo86C
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 15, 2020
Changemaking Candidates Elected to Office
As election results rolled in the night of Nov. 3, it was clear that candidates from the local to federal level would make history and break barriers for so many. Here are just a few of the history makers elected in 2020:
A New Path Forward in the White House
On Nov. 7, our country began the course toward a brighter, more equal future for all when Joe Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election. He earned the most votes ever in a presidential election, delivering a decisive defeat to Trump and his time in office marked by hateful attacks against marginalized communities. Vice president-elect Kamala Harris, the first female, Black and AAPI vice president, joins Joe Biden on the most pro-equality presidential ticket in our history. With them in the White House, we will be able to expand and strengthen our rights: we’ll be able to advance the Equality Act, address the epidemic of violence against trans and non-binary people and ensure no person — regardless of who they are or whom they love — faces hate or discrimination in the U.S.
Now is the time to celebrate all we have achieved while remaining diligent in our fight for full equality. Unity won in 2020, and will continue to win for years to come.
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