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50501 Protest on the Federal Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, March 2025
Opinion: As anti-LGBTQ+ laws proliferate and the Supreme Court delivers setbacks, two determined political action committees are rallying communities to reclaim power and dismantle the bigotry threatening the very fabric of equality.
This Pride month, while the Supreme Court ruled against us, state legislatures passed anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and our opponents called for the end to marriage equality, we have to ask ourselves, "When do we metaphorically throw bricks through windows?" When do we channel Marsha, Sylvia, Harvey, and Audre to protect trans kids and send a clear message - don't mess with us!
Instagram ads sell us t-shirts that say, "We're here. We're queer. We riot!" But where is this energy right now?
We each helped start two organizations, Agenda PAC and Fight For Our Rights PAC, that are taking action. We are going after the worst bigots and haters in elected office. We are aware that a relatively small number of elected leaders are driving an agenda of hate and divisiveness. We research to find the best electoral opportunities to replace them with an equality champion. The Agenda PAC targets races up and down the ballot, receiving support from donors in all 50 states. Fight For Our Rights PAC runs campaigns to win elections and take out anti-LGBTQ+ state legislators.
We founded Agenda PAC and Fight For Our Rights PAC because no path to liberation is complete without accountability at the ballot box. Whether it's taking out bigots in small-town mayor's races or flipping statehouse seats to pro-equality champions, our strategies are simple: identify the worst offenders, make them infamous, and replace them.
In short, we take the "fuck around and find out" approach to politics. We're bringing receipts, research, and resources to ensure these extremists understand the political consequences of their actions. Our opponents attacked the LGBTQ+ community, and now we're happy to help them find a new career.
Our community knows how to build and wield political power. From former state Reps. Elaine Noble and Althea Garrison to US Sen. Tammy Baldwin and US Rep. Sarah McBride, we have a long history of elected out leaders working alongside pro-equality allies to expand rights and protections. We know it's not enough to elect good champions; we have to go on offense and remove from office those who are attacking us. This was a crucial part of the political strategy to achieve marriage equality, and we must continue to fight back!
Look no further than November 2025 for opportunities to replace anti-LGBTQ+ extremists with pro-equality champions. For example, in Virginia's 30th House District, a far-right, MAGA election denier, Delegate Geary Higgins (R), is pushing an extremist anti-LGBTQ+ agenda in one of the most flippable districts that is a top priority for Democrats to protect their slim House majority. Higgins' first-term priorities have included:
His record is indefensible, and we're building the coalition to defeat him. We envision a world where bullies like Higgins can't even think about running for office because they know voters will reject their divisiveness and harmful rhetoric. That's what we're driving towards: one race and one voter at a time. It's also clear that our democracy is under threat from those who want an authoritarian regime – and we have to show that there is accountability for your votes, tweets, and political antics.
As non-trans white queer people, we also know we have to call out our own to stand up for our trans and gender-nonconforming siblings. At a moment when a trans woman is more than four times more likely to become a homicide victim than all women, Black transgender Americans report more than five times higher rates of ever being homeless, and LGBTQ+ teens consider suicide at about four times the national rate for all adolescents, we have to stand in solidarity and use our privileges and political power to bring about equity and equality for all of us.
There's plenty of work to be done, and we need everyone to step up. We are working on aligned efforts to fight back - and we invite you to join Agenda PAC and Fight For Our Rights PAC!
Pride was never meant to be palatable. It was, and is, a demand for dignity and power. This month, we must do more than just wave flags. As Stonewall rioter Silvia Rivera said: "Together, we can achieve what seems impossible." Join us. March, protest, donate, knock on doors, and help us make sure the next anti-LGBTQ+ lawmaker who comes for our community knows: you come for one of us–you answer to all of us!
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
