This marks the first instance of a city allowing individuals to sue trans people for using public restrooms.
The city of Odessa, Texas, has implemented a $10,000 bounty for anyone who reports a transgender person using a restroom that matches their gender identity, according to independent journalist Erin Reed.
Under this ordinance, individuals—excluding local and state government officials—are allowed to sue transgender people for using such facilities. The rewards for successful claims include “injunctive relief” to prevent further violations, nominal and compensatory damages if the plaintiff can prove harm, statutory damages of at least $10,000 per violation, as well as court costs and attorney’s fees.
While the bounty is set at a minimum of $10,000, there is no maximum limit on how much the reward can grow.
In addition to the bounty, Odessa’s ordinance includes criminal penalties for individuals who use restrooms that align with their gender identity. Those found in violation of the law can be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Anyone who refuses to use a bathroom corresponding with what the city considers their biological sex—after being asked to leave by a building owner—could also face misdemeanor trespassing charges.
The law defines “biological sex” based on birth certificates, either the original or a corrected version in cases of clerical errors. This means that even if a transgender person has updated their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity, they could still be in violation of the ordinance if they use a bathroom that aligns with their gender.
There are no exceptions for disabled individuals who may be accompanied by someone of a different gender, and the law could potentially lead to lawsuits targeting people who are gender non-conforming or whose gender expression doesn’t fit societal norms.
Similar bathroom bans with criminal penalties have been enacted in states like Utah and Florida, while other states, like North Dakota, have laws without clear penalties or enforcement mechanisms. Erin Reed compared Odessa’s bounty system to the anti-abortion bounty laws in Texas, where private citizens are empowered to sue anyone who aids in an abortion. This strategy shifts the responsibility of enforcement from government officials to private individuals, circumventing the usual legal processes.
Johnathan Gooch, communications director for Equality Texas, condemned the ordinance, telling the Texas Tribune, “It’s a very aggressive way to alienate trans people from public life, and I think it is counter to the spirit of friendship that most Texans embody.”
He added, “It enables vigilantes to target anyone they don’t think matches the gender expression they expect to see in the bathroom, and that is truly insane.”
This is the first instance of a city allowing individuals to sue transgender people for using public restrooms.
The city of Odessa, Texas, has implemented a $10,000 bounty on any transgender individual who uses a restroom that corresponds with their gender identity, according to independent journalist Erin Reed.
The ordinance allows individuals—excluding local and state government officials—to sue transgender people for using bathrooms that align with their gender. The rewards for successful lawsuits include “injunctive relief sufficient to prevent the defendant from violating the provisions of this ordinance,” along with potential “nominal and compensatory damages” if the plaintiff claims to have suffered harm. The law also stipulates statutory damages of at least $10,000 for each violation, as well as court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
While the bounty is set at a minimum of $10,000, there is no maximum limit on how much the reward could ultimately be.
In addition to the $10,000 bounty, the ordinance imposes criminal penalties on individuals who use restrooms that align with their gender identity. According to the provision, anyone violating the ordinance will be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to $500. If a person refuses to leave a restroom after being asked by a building owner, they could also face charges of misdemeanor trespassing.
The law defines “biological sex” based on the gender listed on birth certificates—either at birth or corrected in the case of clerical errors. This means that even if a transgender individual updates their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity, they would still be in violation of the law if they use a restroom that matches their gender.
The ordinance makes no exceptions for disabled individuals who may be accompanied by a person of a different gender, and it could open the door to lawsuits targeting anyone who appears gender non-conforming.
While bathroom bans with criminal penalties have been enacted in states like Utah and Florida, other states, such as North Dakota, have passed similar bans without clear penalties or enforcement mechanisms. Erin Reed has drawn comparisons between the Odessa bounty and Texas’ anti-abortion bounties, which allow private citizens to sue anyone who aids someone seeking an abortion. Both strategies rely on private individuals to enforce the law, bypassing government enforcement mechanisms.
Johnathan Gooch, communications director for Equality Texas, criticized the measure in an interview with the Texas Tribune: “It’s a very aggressive way to alienate trans people from public life, and I think it is counter to the spirit of friendship that most Texans embody.”
He continued, “It enables vigilantes to target anyone they don’t think matches the type of gender expression they expect to see in the bathroom, and that is truly insane.”
As a lesbian governor who took on the Trump administration nearly 100 times in court, Maura Healey understands that now is not the time to step away from the fight.
The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision granting embryos the same legal rights as children has sent a jolt through the LGBTQ+ community, threatening access to IVF and jeopardizing the future of queer family-building. LGBTQ+ couples, who often rely on fertility treatments like IVF to grow their families, already navigate steep financial, legal, and social obstacles. Now, with the GOP’s escalating opposition to LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, hostility toward queer families is intensifying.
Still, the LGBTQ+ community remains resilient. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, an openly gay leader, offers a clear response: “Vote them out of office, and vote people who will stand with us and protect us into office.”
“I meet so many people who are using surrogacy, IVF, and other forms of assisted reproduction because of the rights and freedoms they enjoy under Massachusetts law,” Healey shared with LGBTQ Nation. “I’m proud of who I am, of the work I do every day, and of the freedoms we get to stand up for. We advance policies that foster inclusivity and protect our community, and people should take pride in that and not let the bullies and haters defeat our spirit.”
Healey’s administration is the embodiment of support and protection for LGBTQ+ rights.
Since becoming one of the country’s first out lesbian governors, Healey has led with purpose. In her first year and a half, she signed a landmark parentage act to secure legal protections for LGBTQ+ families, passed legislation ensuring IVF coverage for LGBTQ+ veterans, enacted a critical maternal health bill, issued an executive order to protect emergency abortion care, and increased funding to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
In addition, Healey has been a strong ally on the campaign trail for Vice President Kamala Harris, actively participating in the Democratic National Convention, speaking at Zoom rallies, and joining forces with other governors in the push for inclusive, forward-thinking leadership.
“People who believe in and want to protect civil rights and freedoms need to go vote,” Healey urged. “And they need to go vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
Healey praised Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz as unwavering advocates for women’s rights and personal freedom. “They are champions of women and the freedom that women should have to make decisions for themselves,” she said. Healey also highlighted their dedication to LGBTQ+ rights, noting Harris’ longstanding commitment to equality and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Healey and Harris served concurrently as attorneys general in their respective states. While Healey was actively suing then-President Donald Trump’s administration nearly 100 times, she noted that Harris was equally committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
She commended Harris for establishing a hate crimes unit dedicated to investigating anti-LGBTQ+ violence and for her efforts to eliminate the gay and trans panic defense in California. “She famously refused to defend Prop 8, which sought to outlaw same-sex marriage in the state,” Healey remarked. “Later, as a senator, she co-sponsored the Equality Act, defended the Affordable Care Act, and as vice president, she’s helped Joe Biden lead probably the most pro-equality administration in history.”
When asked about her concerns regarding a potential second term for Donald Trump, particularly in relation to bodily autonomy and family rights, Healey didn’t hesitate: “Everything.”
“It’s really, really scary,” she continued. “Trump probably led the most anti-LGBTQ administration in American history, stripping away freedoms and protections—banning transgender people from serving in the military, arguing in court that businesses should be allowed to refuse service to LGBTQ individuals, and eliminating medically necessary care for young people. Based on Project 2025 and his own statements, we know it will be even worse. They want to go after marriage equality, implement a national abortion ban, and restrict access to contraception.”
She expressed profound concern for the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth as lawmakers across the country propose hundreds of bills aimed at rolling back their rights and, in some cases, eliminating their right to exist altogether.
According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth are over four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers, and in the organization’s 2024 national mental health survey, 90% of LGBTQ+ young people reported that their well-being has been negatively affected by recent political developments.
“Rates of suicide are up,” Healey said. “And since Trump overturned Roe—let’s be clear, he did overturn Roe… he followed through on that—now one in three women in America lives in a state with an abortion ban. These are very real threats we face.”
The Trump campaign has consistently sought to distance itself from the alarming vision outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which presents a chilling forecast for a potential second Trump term. However, Healey emphasizes Trump’s connections to this project, cautioning the public: “Don’t believe anything that Donald Trump says” because he’ll “say anything and everything depending on where the wind is blowing.”
Yet, Healey firmly trusts Trump to execute his party’s threats against the American people. Just as he dismantled Roe v. Wade, she warns that he is fully capable of realizing the goals outlined in Project 2025, which calls for the complete elimination of LGBTQ+ rights and explicitly states that “only heterosexual, two-parent families are safe for children.”
“These are promises he will fulfill,” Healey warned, drawing from her experience as a stepmother to two children. “It’s a very dangerous time right now.”
Trump and Project 2025 would undoubtedly disrupt the lives of LGBTQ+ families, but Healey highlights significant economic implications that would make their policies catastrophic.
“There’s a reason Massachusetts is ranked number one for our schools, for healthcare, and as the best place to have a baby and live if you’re a woman,” Healey stated. “Part of that is because we’re a state that has long protected civil rights and freedoms. I believe this is a critical piece of our economic competitiveness. We want colleges, universities, and businesses to have the opportunity to attract the very best talent to Massachusetts.”
“We want people to come, succeed, and thrive here—to grow families, build businesses, and develop careers. One of the ways we achieve this is by being a state that, through both government policy and the actions of our businesses and corporate stakeholders, emphasizes respect for and support of civil rights and freedoms.”
Reflecting on her time as the chief of civil rights in the attorney general’s office, Healey recounted her successful challenge against the Defense of Marriage Act, which helped lay the groundwork for nationwide marriage equality. “One of the briefs we prepared for the First Circuit, and later for the Supreme Court, was an amicus brief signed by businesses in support of equality,” she explained. “They understood the economic imperative: companies perform better when there’s greater representation on their boards and in their C-suites. This has been proven. Promoting an inclusive and open environment leads to better policies, ideas, results, and outcomes.”
Healey highlighted the importance of her state’s diverse elected officials as a key factor in the progress made to protect the rights of marginalized communities. As the nation’s first out lesbian governor, alongside Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, she and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll represent the country’s first all-woman governor/lieutenant governor team.
“I know that we’ll achieve better policies and outcomes—most importantly, for people—when we have more representation,” she stated.
However, Healey is quick to emphasize that increased government representation is just part of the equation. “We owe so much to families and advocates who have bravely shared their stories over the years,” she said. “These community members, with lived experiences, have gone to the state legislature, testified in hearings, and spoken to the media. They truly deserve the credit.”
She urged LGBTQ+ families to continue to “speak out and speak up against the lies” and the “vile misinformation” that is often spread, particularly by figures like Trump and Vance.
“If you look at the arc of history in this realm, you can see the progress made for our community. Let’s build on that. Let’s draw upon that during what I acknowledge is a really challenging time. But people need to stand together and vote for equality leaders like Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
Omar Guido Chávez, the 51-year-old owner of Sodoma NightClub, a popular LGBTQ+ gogo bar in Tijuana, Mexico, was discovered dismembered in the trunk of his own car on October 18.
Authorities have indicated that evidence linking the Sinaloa drug cartel to the crime was found in Chávez’s vehicle. While police have arrested two suspects, they are not treating the murder as a hate crime.
In the back seat of the car, investigators found a “narco-banner,” a message commonly used by drug cartels to convey threats and warnings.
On Friday, two suspects, identified in reports as “Gabriel N.” and “Juan Diego N.,” were taken into custody. Surveillance footage reportedly connected Gabriel N. to Chávez’s abandoned vehicle. The suspects allegedly attempted to flee when stopped by police for driving without headlights and seatbelts, running from the scene on foot.
Baja California homicide prosecutor Miguel Ángel Gaxiola stated there is no evidence suggesting that anti-LGBTQ+ bias played a role in the murder, noting that there were no prior threats against Chávez or the nightclub. Investigators believe the murder may be linked to ongoing conflicts between rival drug cartels.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Sodoma NightClub expressed their sorrow over Chávez’s passing, remembering him as a beloved friend and outstanding leader. “We will always remember his smile, love for life, and noble heart,” the club wrote, extending condolences to his family and friends.
On the night of October 27, the nightclub hosted a showcase of guest artists as a tribute to Chávez.
Local LGBTQ+ organization Comunidad ABC shared an open letter on Facebook, calling on authorities to ensure the safety of all individuals in Baja California. The letter emphasized the need for thorough investigations, sensitivity towards diverse communities, and a commitment to preventing future tragedies. “We will not cease our pursuit of justice for Omar Guido and all victims of violence in our community,” it stated.
In a closely contested Senate race in Wisconsin, Republican candidate Eric Hovde is heavily investing in ads targeting incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her longtime partner.
When asked by CNN if she believes Hovde aims to remind voters of her sexual orientation, Baldwin responded, “I think he is.”
The ads feature Baldwin’s partner, Maria Brisbane, who heads a private wealth management division at Morgan Stanley, questioning Baldwin’s ethics while subtly highlighting her sexual orientation.
One ad shows a woman in her kitchen stating, “Baldwin’s in bed with Wall Street,” referencing the senator’s relationship with Brisbane. In other instances, Brisbane is labeled Baldwin’s “girlfriend.”
All these ads convey a similar dual message, funded by a significant influx of cash from Republican sources and Hovde’s own wealth.
While Democrats are expected to outspend Republicans overall in the Senate race, Hovde and his supporters have reserved $51 million for advertising from October 1 through Election Day, compared to $39 million for the Democrats.
Hovde’s latest advertisement twists Baldwin’s previous statements against her, featuring a 2009 Senate hearing where she discussed domestic partner benefits.
“Married members must disclose important information about their spouse’s income, investments, gifts, and debts. Surely the public interest would require that these obligations apply to partners of gay and lesbian officeholders,” Baldwin states in a C-SPAN clip.
The ad’s narrator then contrasts this with a recent debate where Baldwin, addressing Hovde, said, “Stay out of my personal life,” highlighting that she and Brisbane are not married.
Baldwin further asserted, “And I think I speak for most Wisconsin women that he should stay out of all of our personal lives.”
Despite Baldwin’s arguments, she faces challenges regarding financial disclosures related to her partner. She clarified to CNN that, unlike a previous domestic partnership, she is not required to disclose Brisbane’s clients due to a lack of a legally recognized relationship. The couple does own a $1.3 million condominium in Washington together.
Baldwin condemned Hovde’s tactics as a dog whistle, designed to distract from his own financial conflicts tied to owning a $3 billion bank.
“I disclose everything I’m required to,” she stated. “I think he’s trying to divert attention from his own questionable judgments.”
“Imagine him on the Banking Committee, regulating banks,” she added. “This is a serious conflict of interest he wants to deflect from.”
Hovde’s ad campaign also targets the transgender community, linking Baldwin to claims about allowing men to compete in women’s sports and supporting a clinic that allegedly provides transgender therapy to minors without parental consent, which has been proven false.
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He laughed along as the gay conservative he was speaking with mocked trans kids, describing “a 9-year-old girl” with “a beard.”
During an interview last weekend, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and conservative podcaster Tim Dillon echoed transphobic right-wing rhetoric, with Vance notably stressing to Dillon that he isn’t gay. Dillon claimed that supporters of transgender rights want nine-year-old girls “to have a beard,” while Vance argued that medical transitioning is a form of “conversion therapy” aimed at turning gay individuals transgender. Vance also alleged that the medical industry is profiting from transitioning minors and suggested that “they” are pushing gay kids to believe they’re actually transgender.
“I’m not a gay guy, but I’ve heard this from gay friends of mine…” Vance began, prompting Dillon to burst into laughter at Vance’s insistence on clarifying his sexuality.
“I’ve discussed this with gay friends who feel personally affronted [by gender-affirming care for youth],” Vance claimed. “They wonder if, at 14 and feeling confused, someone would have pushed them to transition. In some ways, it’s like a new version of conversion therapy through pharmaceuticals, as if to say, ‘Oh no, you’re not gay; you’re actually a different gender!’”
In the recent interview, Vance presented no evidence for his claim that cisgender gay youth are being pressured into transitioning. Earlier, Dillon sarcastically questioned why children can’t undergo “life-altering” surgeries, framing it as a sign of “fascism” for opposing it. He joked, “Why wouldn’t you allow an eight-year-old to fully transition?… Why can’t a nine-year-old girl have a beard?” In reality, gender-affirming surgeries are not performed on pre-pubescent children and are almost never performed on minors. Gender-affirming care for young children typically includes choices about clothing, names, and play preferences.
Vance continued, alleging that the medical industry profits from transitioning minors and manipulates government policy to push this, stating, “the very people who are getting rich off this are also lobbying the American Medical Association [AMA] and the U.S. government.” However, the AMA and other medical associations have recommended gender-affirming care as safe and essential for trans youth. According to the Williams Institute, only an estimated 300,000 trans individuals ages 13 to 17 could require such care—a small fraction of the U.S. population.
Dillon expressed skepticism over puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors, saying many believe young children should be left alone, adding, “A lot of gay people feel that way…[but] none of them are ever listened to.” Vance mentioned a friendship strained by his stance on trans youth, citing a former classmate who had argued that puberty blockers are reversible—a point the Mayo Clinic supports, stating that puberty restarts once treatment stops.
The conversation then shifted, with Dillon criticizing “extreme” voices in public debate and calling for a focus on traditional subjects like math and science, echoing right-wing claims against teaching “critical race theory or gender theory.” This reflects the Republican platform, which opposes federal funding for schools promoting “radical” ideologies. Vance criticized anti-racist education as “bullshit” that divides people.
In a tangent about U.S. foreign policy, Dillon mocked the idea of promoting gender inclusivity abroad, saying, “we are there so that drag queens in Russia can have more of a say.” Vance replied that taxpayer funds are “funding programs to teach people that there are nonbinary genders out there.” This exchange, underscoring right-wing criticism of the military’s inclusivity efforts, continued their alignment with far-right narratives on gender and foreign policy.
The interview’s exchange on LGBTQ+ topics begins at the 29:40 mark.
On a scorching hot day in Las Vegas, George Escarero was on a water break from knocking on doors in one of the city’s sprawling gated communities.
The gay, longtime banquet server at the Mirage, whose first language is Spanish, estimated the temperature at 105 but said, “That’s how we go, just walk and walk and walk and sweat and drink water, and if they cuss us out, kind of ignore it. We’re just there to open up, you know, so people can open up their eyes and just see it.”
“In Michigan, it really does feel like democracy is on the line,” says Progress Michigan’s Denzel McCampbell.
Escarero is one of an “army” of canvassers deployed by the Culinary Workers Union in Nevada and was adamant that “it’s time for a big change.”
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“Instead of taking stuff away and making the rich richer,” Escarero shared from his pitch, “Kamala is there to help out, and she knows what we’re going through because she was one of us.”
“Kamala Harris was middle class, like all of us,” he said. “She was a hard worker, started from the bottom, worked her way up. They cannot, like, say, ‘Well, you know what, Kamala, you got juiced in.’ No, she worked from the bottom.”
Escarero said his experience meeting with voters was “probably like 50% are really nice, and 50%” the ones who cuss him out.
Culinary UnionGeorge Escarero, banquet server at The Mirage, canvasses on a hot summer day in Las Vegas. | Culinary Union
Those numbers track with election polls in Nevada, which show an electorate evenly divided between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump supporters in a swing state that could determine the outcome of a dead-heat presidential election.
Nevadans have an unpredictable history at the polls. Out of the last 12 national elections, the state split six to six voting for a Democratic or Republican presidential candidate, while the margin for Democrats has narrowed in every election since Obama won in 2008. President Joe Biden carried the state by just 2 points in 2020.
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While Democrats hold majorities in the State House and Senate, Nevadans chose conservative Republican Joe Lombardo for governor over Democratic incumbent Sisolak in 2022. However, U.S. Sen. Jackie Rosen, a Democrat running for her second term this year, holds a narrow lead over Trump-endorsed Republican Sam Brown.
Adding to the voter volatility: an electorate where unaffiliated voters outnumber both Democrats and Republicans in the state.
In 2018, Nevada voters approved a new Automatic Voter Registration system, mandating the Department of Motor Vehicles register new voters or those with lapsed party registration as “unaffiliated” unless they opt out or choose a party.
AVR created 142,484 new Nevada voters in 2020; less than a third chose to call themselves Democrats or Republicans.
It’s a new, mostly young pool of voters open to persuasion and put off by the status quo, said Nevada state Rep. Cecelia González (D), who identifies as queer and bisexual and is running for a second term in the Nevada Assembly.
“Younger voters and people of color really feel alienated by this two-party system, and they really connect with candidates that meet voters on a more personal level, right?” she said. “The shift reflects a growing frustration with traditional party politics and a desire for candidates who speak to the real issues, and not just these partisan talking points.”
The 32-year-old, of Mexican and Thai descent, says she feels the same frustrations. ” Because I’m younger, that’s where I focus on to try to get out the vote.”
Cecelia GonzálezNevada State Rep. Cecelia González (D) speaks with a student in her district in Las Vegas | Cecelia González
18 to 34 year olds make up a whopping 30% of registered voters in Nevada and are the largest block after those over 55, who are historically less persuadable but more inclined to vote than their younger peers. Less than half of the youngest cohort claim Democratic or Republican party allegiance.
While she’s running as a Democrat, González says she knows where those voters are coming from when they meet on the campaign trail.
“They identify with me not just because I’m a woman, not just because I’m Mexican or Latino or Asian. It’s the fact that I resonate with these lived experiences because I come from the same backgrounds.”
“Young people, Latinos, and Asian communities are really what’s going to get the vice president and Walz across the finish line,” she said.
As for canvassing the day we spoke, González said door-knocking was off the table.
“It’s so hot. It’s literally 114 today,” she gasped.
Even before the large influx of unaffiliated voters, party loyalty was on the decline in Nevada. The state’s libertarian “live and let live” ethos has further blurred the distinction between Democrats and Republicans.
That’s reflected in some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ policies and legislation in the country, and it’s one reason the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, is targeting “equality voters” in Nevada, hoping to appeal to Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters alike in their swing state efforts to get voters to the polls.
But no constituency is a monolith, including the fast-growing Latino population, whose rapid growth has helped transform Nevada into a majority-minority swing state.
The minority share of the population in Nevada rose to just over 54% with the last U.S. Census. Meanwhile, the percentage of the non-Hispanic white population in the state continues its historical decline, dropping from over 83% in 1980 to just 46.4% in 2022.
Those facts haven’t translated, however, to guaranteed loyalty to Democrats, who in years past — as defenders of civil rights and the working class — could count on Latino voters. Their once-uniform support has narrowed and fractured.
The shift is even greater among young Latino men in Nevada: 53% of male Latino voters ages 18 to 34 support Trump while just 40% support Harris. Similar numbers among Latino men ages 35 to 49 add up to a major deficit in a key constituency that could tip the election.
It’s why getting face-to-face with those voters before Election Day is the “number one priority” for both González and George Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union and lead organizer of what he proudly calls “the largest walk program in the state of Nevada.”
“They come and work for the union,” Pappageorge said of the hundreds of canvassers on leave of absence from their day and night jobs, including guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, and laundry and kitchen workers from the union’s membership.
“They work six days a week. They have Friday off and they’re out in the heat, getting chased by dogs and knocking on doors to turn out the vote,” he said.
The Culinary Union and its affiliates represent more than 60,000 workers in the state, with members from 178 countries. Estimates put the number of LGBTQ+ hospitality workers at one in five, and the union is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state, with coverage provided for more than 145,000 Nevadans.
Who is elected in any election — locally, statewide, or nationally — has a direct bearing on the union’s ability to thrive, or survive.
A second Trump administration, Pappageorge said, would be “a threat to our existence.”
“This is a guy that jokes with his billionaire buddies about firing striking workers, who brags about crossing picket lines and really has a lot of promises, a lot of promises. But the problem with Trump is that he lies, and he lies a lot.”
Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union, speaks with a fellow member at a get-out-the-vote meeting in Las Vegas.
“Look, if the election was today, we think Trump would win,” Pappageorge said, “but the election is not today, and our job is to make sure that here in Las Vegas we are contesting every single vote. We’re knocking on every single door. We’re talking to every single person in that household, to union members and their family members, and we’re driving the votes.”
“When you have those kinds of conversations” with voters, Pappageorge said, “you have an opportunity to drive votes and persuade folks. And we think these votes are winnable.”
“But we’ve got to do the work,” he added. “It’s going to be extremely close.”
Escarero, the banquet worker, agreed, sharing, “I even get goosebumps. But I feel, even though it’s going to be a tight, I know she’s going to win.”
Asked what Harris’ pledge to fight for “the freedom to love who you love” meant to him, the longtime union member paused and asked, “To me?”
Then he started to cry.
“I was living the life that it wasn’t,” Escarero said through tears. “I had to fake — I had to fake who I was, and now we have a freedom. Now we can get married. No discrimination. Do the military.”
“That’s why I get very emotional, because I had a tough life, because I had to act like somebody that I wasn’t. You know what I mean?”
With people cursing and dogs chasing him, Escarero shared what kept him going through the hot days canvassing.
He remembered “a knock not too long ago” when he asked a middle-aged white woman, “‘If you don’t mind,’ I said, ‘What side are you on?’ I said, ‘Do you have a plan? Are you on the Trump side or…?”
“‘Oh no, no, no, no, honey,’” she interrupted, pointing to a small Harris-Walz sign in her car. “‘You see my sign out there in the window?’ She goes, ‘Give me a big one and I’ll put it in the front yard.’”
“Let’s fight for our rights,” Escarero said, before heading back out into the heat.
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With rising concerns about the stability of Obergefell, states nationwide are moving quickly to safeguard protections for LGBTQ+ residents.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade has created a national crisis in abortion access, fears have surged within the LGBTQ+ community and among allies that marriage equality could face a similar fate. Several conservative voices have indicated a desire to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, with Justice Clarence Thomas openly suggesting it merits reconsideration.
In response, states across the country are working to place marriage equality measures on their ballots to help secure protections if Obergefell is ever overturned. In this upcoming election, three states will feature ballot measures addressing marriage equality.
California: Proposition 3
On the California ballot, Proposition 3 aims to repeal Proposition 8, a 2008 measure that restricted marriage to unions between a man and a woman. Although the Supreme Court ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional in 2013, it remains embedded in California’s Constitution. Should Obergefell be overturned, California’s existing constitutional language would once again restrict same-sex marriage.
The ballot text states:
A YES vote: Updates the California Constitution’s language to reflect current marriage laws, with no change to who can marry.
A NO vote: Maintains the existing language, with no change to who can marry.
Supporters of Prop 3 emphasize the urgency of enshrining marriage equality in California’s Constitution. “In California, we believe in the fundamental right to marry the person you love,” said State Sen. Toni Atkins (D). “With civil rights under attack across the nation, the time to act is now.”
California Rep. Robert Garcia (D) added, “Prop 3 is about defending equality for all. As ballots go out, I urge every Californian to vote yes and stand with us in supporting love and respect for all.”
Colorado: Amendment J
In Colorado, Amendment J seeks to remove language in the state’s Constitution defining marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. The amendment’s ballot language reads:
A YES vote: Removes the clause limiting marriage to heterosexual unions.
A NO vote: Retains the existing constitutional language on marriage.
However, Amendment J does not introduce new protections, leaving marriage equality ambiguous. “It’s our responsibility to uphold justice and equality in our Constitution,” said State Sen. Joann Ginal (D), who sponsored the measure. “While protections exist now, our Constitution still contains outdated language.”
State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D) shared that “our LGBTQ community fears the potential rollback of their rights.”
Hawaii: Question 1
Hawaii’s Question 1, also known as the “Hawaii Remove Legislature Authority to Limit Marriage to Opposite-Sex Couples Amendment,” proposes removing a 1998 provision that permits the legislature to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Hawaii, but if Obergefell is overturned, this constitutional language could threaten it.
The ballot language reads:
A YES vote: Removes the legislature’s authority to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.
A NO vote: Retains the legislature’s authority to limit marriage.
Governor Josh Green (D) expressed his support for Question 1, stating, “Our Constitution should protect the civil rights of all Hawaiians. Voting yes on this amendment advances equality for our LGBTQ+ community.” U.S. Senator Brian Schatz echoed this sentiment, saying, “Hawai’i’s Constitution should reflect our values of diversity and dignity for all, which is why I’m voting yes on Question 1.”
These ballot measures reflect a nationwide effort to protect marriage equality amid uncertainty around the future of Obergefell, as states work to ensure protections for LGBTQ+ residents.
The vice-presidential candidate received an even lower score than Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Republican vice-presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) received a zero rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) newly released Congressional Scorecard for the 118th Congress.
This biannual report evaluates each member of Congress on their record regarding LGBTQ+ rights, assigning scores out of 100. Vance’s zero score indicates he did not support HRC’s stance on any LGBTQ+-related legislation.
This comes as no surprise, as Vance recently attributed America’s educational challenges to transgender inclusion, alleging that teachers are too occupied with “radical ideas” about gender to focus on fundamental academics. He also opposed the federal Respect for Marriage Act and, last year, refused to confirm U.S. foreign ambassadors, claiming they lacked sufficient opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, Vance introduced Senate legislation aimed at banning gender-affirming care for trans youth and limiting access for trans adults.
Sen. Vance’s close alignment with Donald Trump—who worked to dismantle LGBTQ+ rights during his first term—further underscores his adversarial stance toward LGBTQ+ people.
Other senators who scored zero on the HRC report include Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Marco Rubio (R-FL). In the House, members receiving zeros included Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Jim Jordan (R-OH), James Comer (R-KY), Greg Steube (R-FL), Dan Bishop (R-NC), and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who is noted for his outspoken anti-LGBTQ+ positions.
Interestingly, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), despite her frequent opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, scored an 8 for supporting HRC’s position on four bills—having voted against larger spending bills containing anti-LGBTQ+ measures. However, the report did not analyze her reasons for these votes.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, 217 members of Congress scored 100, demonstrating a full commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and countering anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Among those with perfect scores were senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA), the first Black lesbian to serve in the Senate. Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) scored a 93, as she missed two votes and did not co-sponsor specific anti-discrimination bills.
In the House, representatives like Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) achieved scores of 100. Every out LGBTQ+ House member also received a perfect score. Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was excluded from the scorecard due to his expulsion before completing his term.
Steny Hoyer, celebrating his perfect score, highlighted Congress’s duty to combat discrimination, especially against LGBTQ+ Americans facing hostility from MAGA Republicans. “I will continue to work with Democrats to advocate for LGBTQ+ Americans and their rights,” Hoyer stated.
HRC president Kelley Robinson underscored the increasing attacks on LGBTQ+ inclusion in Congress, condemning the addition of anti-LGBTQ+ measures to key legislation. She also noted the success of organizers in blocking over 100 anti-LGBTQ+ riders. “With a record-high 75 million Equality Voters nationwide, informed voting and representation matter now more than ever,” Robinson affirmed, emphasizing the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and the Senate’s critical role in protecting rights against extreme measures from the House.
In Georgia, where Republicans hold a trifecta with control of the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature, LGBTQ+ community leaders and political strategists are working hard to show that progressive values extend beyond Atlanta.
With about 8 million registered voters in the state, Georgia’s Secretary of State reports an increase of 121,898 active voters since the December 2022 runoff election, a critical number in a battleground state that could shape the nation’s future.
In September, the Georgia State Election Board decided that all ballots would be hand-counted, a move many see as an effort to delay or disrupt the election process. Democrats, who previously urged Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to hold an ethics hearing, filed a lawsuit to remove members of the elections board believed to be loyal to former President Donald Trump. While a judge dismissed the case in early October, a Fulton County Superior Court judge issued an injunction blocking the hand-counting rule on the first day of early voting, citing concerns over the rule’s timing and the potential for “administrative chaos.”
Georgia’s status as a battleground state has gained significant attention in recent years. Stacey Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign was seen as a test to prove that a sustained voter outreach effort by Democrats could turn the state from red to blue. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden narrowly defeated Donald Trump by 11,779 votes, securing Georgia’s Electoral College votes and reinforcing its potential influence on the national stage. This momentum was further solidified in 2022 when Sen. Raphael Warnock won his runoff against Republican Herschel Walker, affirming Georgia’s role as a true swing state.
A key factor in this shift has been the dedication of LGBTQ+ community leaders and political strategists. They have mobilized voters from diverse backgrounds across the state, proving that political power extends beyond Atlanta. Through grassroots organizing and voter engagement, they’ve built coalitions that reflect the growing diversity and progressive energy in Georgia, demonstrating their significant influence in shaping the state’s political landscape.
Georgians are championing people over politics.
At just 28 years old, Mo Pippin (they/them) is one Georgian determined to shift the state from purple to blue. In 2023, they co-founded FTR Political Strategies to enhance local election engagement and voter education.
“Here in Roswell, which is just a stone’s throw from Athens, we’re working to simplify large, often daunting federal issues into local and state matters that are relatable and relevant to people,” Pippin shared with LGBTQ Nation. “We aim to connect voters with better representatives. I firmly believe that young people are ready to engage in conversations with those who are different from us. One of our main strategies for engaging voters is canvassing—we knock on doors.”
Pippin noted that some voters have cautioned them to be cautious while canvassing in traditionally conservative areas of Roswell, suggesting that the assumption is rooted in a belief that local residents might not be welcoming and could even be hostile.
“When I look at our state government and don’t see anyone who resembles me or shares my values, it’s easy to assume that those elected through popular vote naturally represent our entire population. But that’s not true,” they explained. “Voter turnout in the state is alarmingly low due to various structural barriers. People are often overwhelmed with responsibilities like getting their kids to school, commuting to work, and ensuring their families are fed and healthy. Many simply don’t have the time or energy to engage in the political process.”
Organizations like Georgia Equality, the state’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, are actively engaging, educating, and advocating for the community. Over the past year, they played a crucial role in defeating nearly 20 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the state legislature by regularly attending hearings, votes, and meetings at the state Capitol alongside other pro-LGBTQ+ organizations. The group also mobilized the community, organizing over 5,000 individuals to call their representatives during the legislative session.
“Our priority is to ensure that no LGBTQ+ Georgian is left behind,” said Noël Heatherland (they/them), statewide organizing manager for Georgia Equality, in an interview with LGBTQ Nation. “We strive to remember and include everyone, especially those who don’t live in the Atlanta bubble, particularly during a time when civic engagement and making our voices heard is crucial.”
Heatherland, a native of Albany, Georgia, noted that the queer experience in the state’s southern region presents unique challenges and concerns. While recent reports indicate that many LGBTQ+ voters are motivated to support the Democratic Party due to issues like restrictions on women’s rights and bans on medical care for transgender youth, they are also focused on a range of issues affecting various communities.
Omarion Smart, a senior at Georgia State University and a native of Bainbridge, Georgia, shares this perspective. As the policy director for Voters of Tomorrow, a social welfare organization created for Gen Z by Gen Z, he emphasizes that housing, food security, and the cost of living are top priorities for queer voters heading to the polls this November. Heatherland adds that queer voters in Georgia are also concerned about providing quality education for their children and ensuring their safety in schools. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, the LGBTQ+ population in Georgia constitutes about 4.7% of the state’s total population, with 27% of them being parents.
“The majority of Georgians share common ground on these issues,” Smart stated. “We all believe that housing should be affordable, that we deserve access to healthcare, and that Medicare and Medicaid should be expanded. Concerns about the economy, housing, the rise of anti-transgender rhetoric, and reproductive rights are all critical issues for voters in Georgia. No single issue takes precedence over the others. Yet, we have legislators who don’t represent the diverse population of our state, and it’s time for that to change.”
Smart’s concerns came to the forefront this August when Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) established the Georgia Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports, claiming it aims to ensure that female athletes in Georgia can compete fairly. Smart views this committee and its objectives as “disgusting.”
“It’s clear that this committee isn’t meant to genuinely address these issues,” Smart remarked. “That’s just the nature of politics in our state. Their true goal is to spread their blatant hatred without facing accountability for it.”
“The majority of Georgians share common ground on these issues,” Smart stated. “We all believe that housing should be affordable, that we deserve access to healthcare, and that Medicare and Medicaid should be expanded. Concerns about the economy, housing, the rise of anti-transgender rhetoric, and reproductive rights are all critical issues for voters in Georgia. No single issue takes precedence over the others. Yet, we have legislators who don’t represent the diverse population of our state, and it’s time for that to change.”
Smart’s concerns came to the forefront this August when Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) established the Georgia Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports, claiming it aims to ensure that female athletes in Georgia can compete fairly. Smart views this committee and its objectives as “disgusting.”
“It’s clear that this committee isn’t meant to genuinely address these issues,” Smart remarked. “That’s just the nature of politics in our state. Their true goal is to spread their blatant hatred without facing accountability for it.”
“The Cobb County school system has been enacting numerous book bans and implementing discriminatory policies,” strategist Pippin noted. “If she wins, control of the Cobb Board of Education would shift, putting a stop to the madness occurring there. Her district is highly competitive, and I’m fully supporting her.”
One candidate with a personal stake in the matter is JD Jordan, who is running against John Albers for Georgia Senate District 56.
“He is fighting to protect his children from harmful state policies. The incumbent is a co-sponsor of anti-trans legislation that jeopardizes healthcare access for JD’s kids,” Pippin explained. “He has five children aged 14 to 19, two of whom identify as transgender.”
Georgia Equality’s Heatherland emphasized that Albers is not friendly toward LGBTQ+ individuals or their allies and is unwilling to listen to them when they come to the Capitol to discuss issues—even if they are his constituents. The district is currently being viewed as one of the most “flippable” in the state.
“It’s one thing to advocate for LGBTQ+ children and, specifically, transgender individuals when you’re campaigning in Atlanta, where about 85% of your audience agrees with you,” Pippin added. “It’s a completely different challenge to do that in a district as red as SD56. JD is bravely fighting that battle and working to dispel the misinformation directed at the queer community. He embodies the supportive father figure many of us in the community wished we had while growing up.”
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