yourOUTsource: Your LGBT Resource

Elections & Politics

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) vote is sizable and bipartisan, and can be a swing vote in a close election.

Why It Matters:

Elected officials exercise enormous power over critical issues affecting LGBT people, including granting nondiscrimination protections and family recognition; allocating funding for health and human service needs; and appointing judges whose rulings could impact our community for generations to come. Elected officials need to know that LGBT people comprise a voting bloc that won’t sit on the sidelines as their rights and lives are being trampled upon.

A New—and Still Hidden—Constituency

Over the last generation, the lesbian and gay community has become increasingly visible and well organized. Not only have many individuals come out of the closet, but they have built organizations, fought to change laws and public policy, run for office, and participated actively in electoral politics.

In a democratic society, electoral politics is one critically important means for citizens to express their wishes and work to shape laws and public policies that address their needs. The importance of voting, both symbolic and real, has been demonstrated by the long hard-fought campaigns in the 19th and 20th centuries of the propertyless, of African Americans, and of women to have access to the franchise.

Since 1972, when gay activists first addressed the national convention of the Democratic party, lesbian and gay Americans have played a visible role in national elections. They have formed Democratic and Republican clubs, have testified at platform hearings, have served as delegates at the conventions of both major parties, have participated actively in the campaigns of presidential and congressional candidates, and have run successfully for office themselves.

The ability to demonstrate “voting power” is a key toward winning the attention of political parties and their candidates.  Knowledge is power and we at Your OUT Source believe that a better education of your national, state and local representatives is key in influencing change and working towards equality for everyone in the LGBT community.