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Hopeful and Humbling: The Rainbow Wave. [1]
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Date: 2022-11-22
Welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour.
Being an Arizona resident I have reasons to be happy about the recent election. (Governor Katie Hobbs!) Just knowing that the election denying conspiracy theory Faux News nutjob lost is enough to make me smile. But wait. There's more.
The much-touted "red wave" turned out to be more akin to a ripple. But a wave of historic proportions did happen. And it's a rainbow. A Rainbow Wave. I find it tremendously inspiring and hopeful.
According to The LGBTQ Victory Institute, at least 1,065 LGBTQ candidates ran for office this year. 678 of whom made it to the general election. A record breaking 486 won on Election Day.
In New Jersey alone seven non-incumbent LGBTQ candidates won their races; ten more who were incumbents maintained their incumbency. Nationally, Tina Kotek of Oregon, and Maura Healy of Massachusetts were elected to be the first out lesbian Governors in the nation. In Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a gay man, won re-election. James Roesner was the first out trans man to be elected to a state legislature in New Hampshire. These are just a handful of examples; there are many more.
From school boards to state houses and beyond, the times they are a changing. Thank Goddess.
Representation matters so very much. At a time when so damn much anti-gay, anti-queer, anti-trans bigotry is being legislated into law, it matters even more. That so many out LGBTQ candidates have won office, even in states which have passed such disgusting legislation, tells me that the politicians writing and passing those laws might not have as much support for their ignorance, bigotry, and hate as they might have imagined. At a time when anti-LGBTQ hate crimes continue to hurt and kill people, the courage of these candidates is truly humbling. A large proportion of the deciding votes came from voters age 30 and under. The younger generation is making itself heard. This Boomer is grateful for them.
And yes, I find these things hopeful. And humbling.
Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.
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