Joe Biden & Kamala Harris launch new initiative targeting “critical” LGBTQ+ voters

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s reelection campaign has launched “Out for Biden-Harris,” a new national initiative focused on rallying LGBTQ+ voters.

The initiative acknowledges the crucial role LGBTQ+ have played in previous electoral wins. “LGBTQ+ voters are a force to be reckoned with,” campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement. They were critical to our victory in 2020, and they will be critical to winning again this November.”

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“Whether serving their communities or in the military, raising families or running businesses, they help America thrive.”

Over 10,000 LGBTQ+ volunteers were deployed during the 2020 election, which was pivotal in Biden’s victory. The “Out for Biden-Harris” initiative has embraced this expansive support base, hoping to re-enlist LGBTQ+ members to further their work.

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According to the campaign, the initiative will equip participants with tools to organize within their communities as well as coordinate with a diverse range of community icons, from LGBTQ+ faith leaders to elected officials and drag queens. The campaign plans, for example, to engage surrogates like former Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones and Virginia state Senator Danica Roem (D). Actor Wilson Cruz, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), and Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson will also be appearing on a virtual call to mobilize supporters.

The campaign also declared the Biden-Harris administration as the most pro-LGBTQ+ in history, according to The Hill.

The initiative’s launch will include virtual training and organizing events, with a focus on approaching new volunteers, especially in battleground states. 

In the launch statement, campaign manager Rodriguez stressed what another term for former President Donald Trump could mean for LGBTQ+ rights.

“LGBTQ+ Americans couldn’t have more at stake this election: Donald Trump and his extremist allies are running to gut LGBTQ+ rights and erase history as their top priorities. LGBTQ+ Americans deserve leaders who will fight for every American’s freedom and dignity.”

“Out for Biden-Harris” is supported by LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide. Groups like Equality North Carolina PAC, Delaware Stonewall PAC, Fair Wisconsin, and Center for Black Equity Political Action Fund have all endorsed the campaign, as has the Human Rights Campaign, Equality PAC, and the National Center for Trans Equality, according to Advocate.

Having recently celebrated 20 years since first performing same-sex marriages, Harris recorded a campaign video focusing on the initiative in which she highlighted the legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician to be elected to public office in America.

“Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard. And because you made your voices heard, marriages are more secure,” Harris said. “We will do what we have always done in this movement, in this community, which is collectively, we will continue to build unity. We will continue to build coalition. We will always be fueled by knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us. We will be fueled by knowing we are all in this together.”