Over the years, the issues most especially the LGBTQ+ issues have become more prominent and powerful in politics. Since the rights of the LGBTQ+ community are among the most debated issues on the national and international levels, more and more political contenders come forward to support the community. For such candidates, support does not only help affect policy-making but is also a sign of the gradual changes in the society towards the acceptance of diversity and equal opportunities. Below is a compilation of the major politicians advocacy for the rights and freedom of the LGBTQ + and how they are influencing change.
U. S. Congress and Senate: LGBTQ people’s civil rights defender
Therefore, there are several people in the United States Congress and Senate supporting the equality of the LGBTQ+ community. Some of their functions are to fund and promote legal initiatives that call for equality and the elimination of prejudice.
- Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): Since being one of the first openly gay U. S. Senators, Baldwin has been an activist for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community constantly. In her political endeavors, she has backed many bills that hope to offer the members of the LGBTQ+ community equal rights and protection from discrimination by supporting the Equality Act which seeks to offer extensive non-discrimination protections to the LGBTQ+ people in several areas such as employment, housing and public service access.
- Representative David Cicilline (D-RI): Cicilline is the first gay congressman in Rhode Island has been one of the pioneers in advocating for the rights of the gays. He has been on the push to have the Violence Against Women Act reauthorized with provisions for the LGBTQ+ community and has engaged in efforts to curb hate crime against the LGBTQ+ people.
Local and State-Level Advocates
Promotion of the rights of Sexual minorities is not only a question of federal politics. It must also be noted that many state and local politicians are also working very hard towards the improvement of LGBTQ+ rights in their regions.
- Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA): LGBTQ+ rights has been a core area of focus for Newsom with a specific focus on the state of California. His administration has endorsed policies seeking to enhance the existing anti-discrimination laws and has embarked on matters regarding say transgender health and homelessness among the youths who are of the LGBTQ+.
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D-Chicago): Lightfoot who serves as the first Lesbian mayor in Chicago city has advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ+ at the Chicago city level. She has also provided for the enhancement of resources for the gays, lesbians, transgenders, bisexuals, and other queer persons, and has advocated for policies that are friendly for the gays, lesbians, transgenders, bisexuals and other queer persons within the government offices and in the city’s provision of services.
International Leaders and Activists
LGBTQ+ rights is a compromise that transcends the boundaries of the different nations across the world, and many leaders wordwide are coming out to support equal rights for the sexual minorities.
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand): Ardern has been a pride supporter of the LGBTQ+ persons in New Zealand. Her government has recently endeavored to pass several measures for advancement of the rights of LGBTQ+ populace such as non-discrimination in healthcare services and provisions in the interest of youths who are part of the community.
- President Emmanuel Macron (France): Macron has demonstrated his support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and plus liberties through different procedures for the protection of such people and their integration in the French society. This president has endeavored to pass laws to fight prejudice and for the protection of queer and subjugated minorities and for the validation of their communities.
Rising LGBTQ+ Political Figures
Other young LGBTQ+ persons who have ventured into politics include the following: These people come with new ideas and are passionate about human rights issues of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Sarah McBride: Caitlyn Marie Stupp, also known as Jessica Ann McBride is an American transgender activist, politician and television personality, who has made record of being the first ever transgender person to be successfully elected into a U. S state senate. Her work mainly aims to increase the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and other issues including; health and financial disparities.
- Maurice Williams: This up and coming star of the Democratic Party has been an advocate of the rights of homosexuals and participated in various campaigns in the state for the gay rights. His advocacy work also entails; health care equity and equality, and also; fighting against discrimination.
This blog aims at finding out how many groups are available to advocate for LGBTQ+ people, their function and their influence The roles of the advocacy groups for the LGBTQ+ populace:
LGBTQ+ interest organizations are very vital in mobilizing support and offering their imprimatur to candidates in political office who are sympathetic to the plight of the gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, and queer individuals. These organizations strive to keep LGBTQ+ issues relevant in political debate and as a tool to inform voters on the candidate’s stance on the LGBTQ+ issues.
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC): HRC is among the biggest and most influential LGBTQ+ advocacy agencies in the U. S. , and it has a crucial role in endorsing and supporting the candidates, who are supporters of the agency’s mission statement that advocates for equal rights for queer people. To some extent, the organization specifically locates and offers extensive data on candidates’ positions regarding LGBTQ+ issues and assists in voter turnout for the promotion of pro-LGBTQ+ candidates.
- The Trevor Project: Famous for its focus on mental health of queer youth, The Trevor Project also uses lobbying and provides supporting contributions to the candidates who are interested in the problems which concern queer youth. It seeks to have an impact on policymaking regarding the youth, especially the LGBTQ+ persons.
The following is the impact of political support of the LGBTQ+ community:
The backing of LGBTQ+ candidates and policies plays the role of fostering change regarding the rights of the LGBTQ + community. LGBTQ+ advocates in governments should bear the responsibility of lobbying for legislation change for acceptance and integration of the sexually diverse and gender variant individuals in the society. These aspects are by far the most significant as advocacy helps in ensuring that there are protection against discrimination, visibility and provision of necessary resources for the LGBTQ+ populace.
- Legislative Achievements: Advocates who belong to the progressive political party usually front for their party by sponsoring bills that sought to enhance the protection of the ill rights of the oppressed group. Some examples include, passing of laws allowing same sex marriages and the enforcement of anti discrimination laws.
- Public Awareness: LGBTQ+ issues are supported by political leaders which increases awareness and accepts marital culture by the public. These works help bring about social transformation, and increase acceptance and fight prejudice against members of the queer community.
Conclusion: Supporting the Allies
Hence as we look towards the future the endorsement of political candidates who support and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community continues to be very important. If we vote for the candidates who support these rights, and for those who do, we can thus continue the progress and have more people support the voice of the LGBTQ+ community. The involvement of such political leaders together with the passion of the ordinary persons and different lobbying groups, advocate for the creation of a world that recognizes and also protects the gay and Lesbians.
