The Human Rights Campaign raised more than $300,000 and enlisted more than 1,500 new volunteers to support the vice president’s 2024 presidential campaign with the organization’s Out for Kamala Harris virtual event on Thursday night.

Delivering remarks before an audience of about 20,000 listeners were a slate of LGBTQ leaders including trailblazing elected officials, celebrities and other public figures, and officials representing the Harris 2024 campaign and advocacy groups including HRC, the National LGBTQ+ Task Force Action Fund, and Advocates 4 Trans Equality.

The speakers discussed Harris’s work fighting to expand rights and freedoms throughout her career, her historic bid to take on Donald Trump and their confidence in her ability to win, the state of the race nearly 100 days out from Election Day, and the stakes in November with respect to queer and transgender communities, reproductive rights, and the preservation of America’s democratic institutions.

They also celebrated the Biden-Harris administration’s record of accomplishment over the past four years — and the legacy President Joe Biden will leave behind after bookending his five decades in elected office by announcing his decision on Sunday to exit the 2024 race in favor of clearing the path for his vice president to earn the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Harris 2024 campaign

Fundraising Chair and former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford:

• A lot of us have had a very, very difficult last few weeks. What happened on Sunday was this extraordinary moment where we had what I believe is one of the great American presidents of all time, in Joe Biden, decide to pass the torch to the next generation in Vice President Kamala Harris, a woman who could not be any more qualified for the job as president of the United States
• In Vice President Harris, we see a leader who’s going to fight every single day, fight for members of our community.
• We saw an unprecedented, absolutely unprecedented, surge in support from Americans across the country. We’ve only made public essentially where we were from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday night, where we raised just under $130 million
• This is my fifth presidential campaign. I did both Obama campaigns and I also did the Biden campaign in 2020. I’ve never seen anything like this before. The surge in support — because that support, the small dollar contributions, people give in five, 10, 25, bucks, and even more than that, the numbers are extraordinary. Well over a million people have supported this effort, and we’re going to need it
• We have to know it’s going to come down to seven swing states, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina … I believe that our community, that this LGBTQ+ community, can make a difference here. I believe that, with all my heart, knowing the margins of this election it’s just fundamentally true

National LGBTQ+ Engagement Director Sam Alleman:

• We are overwhelmed, humbled and inspired by the outpouring of support that we are seeing for Vice President Kamala Harris. I just I can’t put it into words this feeling, but I do think it’s important, despite the energy and the excitement that we are feeling right now, to ground us in [the reality] that the general frame of this election and what we’re doing here hasn’t really changed
• On one hand, we’ve got a candidate who wants to ban books instead of assault weapons. We’ve got a candidate that if a national abortion ban comes across his desk, he will sign it. We’ve got a candidate that will not fight to protect our community and instead will vilify and bully LGBTQ+ children to score political points
• On the other hand, we’ve got Kamala Harris, who’s been a champion for our community since day one, since her first time in public office, who we know will fight to protect our reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy, who we know will fight to ensure we have paid leave for all, and who’s going to spend every single day fighting to protect and enshrine the democratic principles that this country was founded on

LGBTQ officeholders

US Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), the first Black lesbian US senator:

• The leadership that was shown by President Biden has been shown over five decades. This man has been a public servant to the people of this country, not always perfect, but always committed, not always exact, but always in the game
• [Following his example] let us all aspire to have the opportunity to put our personal egos aside and to put the people before any personal achievement
• [Biden’s] full throated endorsement of California’s daughter, Vice President Kamala Harris, is just another display of the kind of leadership and the kind of human being that he is
• [His decision to step aside and endorse] the first woman to serve in the role of vice president, the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as vice president, has really inspired a movement across this country
• There’s so many comparisons to what took place in 2008 [with former President Barack Obama’s election]. The energy, the giving, the volunteerism, the excitement, the feel, the vibe of what is taking place across this country is absolutely electric
• LGBTQ+ leaders across this country, givers, volunteers, activists, we are going to make the difference in this election. Not only in the election of Vice President Harris, but we’re going to make sure that Democrats are able to keep the Senate, and make sure that we’re going to send the first Black person, the first Black man, to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives [the minority leader, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York]
• It was mentioned that I am the first Black out LGBTQ+ leader in the Senate. I am only the third Black [person] to ever serve in the United States Senate. I am only the 12th Black person to ever serve in the institution’s 248 year history. What we have the opportunity to do is move beyond counting just a handful of representatives in the United States Senate and in the House of Representatives — we have the opportunity to kick the door wide open, to not just crack the glass ceiling, but to blow it out
• Rejecting the policies of Project 2025, rejecting Trumpism, rejecting sexism and ageism and racism and all the isms, to bring our country together, that is the kind of leader that I have known for more than a decade, that is who we have in Vice President Kamala Harris

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, the country’s first lesbian governor:

• I’m the first lesbian to be elected governor in the country. I was the first gay person to be elected attorney general in the country, and I took office at the time when Kamala Harris was attorney general in California
• But I actually came to know her before that, because back in 2004 I appreciated that she officiated same sex marriages in California. That was just about the time that we were in court here in Massachusetts over marriage equality. Flash forward to her time as attorney general, and I witnessed as she not only [refused to] defend the discriminatory Proposition 8 [but also petitioned] the court … to try to get that appealed
• Kamala Harris is a person of strength, of grace, of empathy, of compassion. And yes, she is tough, which is probably why Donald Trump backed out of a debate tonight. She’s obviously continued that advocacy as senator, as vice president.
• And big shout out to President Biden, the first to step forward back in 2012 and declare that ‘love is love’ and gay people should be allowed to marry. That administration, the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris team, have done so much for our community
• There’s a lot of love and joy right now, and there should be, but I also want your dollars to be fueled by the stark reality of what’s coming if we don’t do the work
• Here’s what’s at issue: We are facing a situation where we may go back to a time — if we don’t do the work — [where LGBTQ people can be] discriminated against in school, in the workplace, at hospitals. Think about not having access to marriage equality, to Medicaid, to coverage under the Affordable Care Act, to all sorts of things. Think about the specter of no funding for HIV/AIDS prevention. Think about, once again, bans on transgender people from serving in the military and so, so much more
• If they’re coming for anyone’s rights, any of our rights, they’re coming for everyone’s rights. There’s a reason that Kamala chose ‘Freedom’ [by Beyoncé] as her song, right?

US Rep. Becca Balint, the first woman and first queer person elected to represent Vermont in Congress:

• [This event] gives me the hope and the energy we are going to need in the next 100 days as we do the hard and joyous work of electing Kamala Harris as our next president
• Now I know many of you have been discouraged by attacks on our community, and worried as we feel the weight of the stakes of this presidential race. We’ve been witnessing overt attacks on our civil rights in Washington, D.C., where I do my work, and in state capitals across the country
• we know, as history has shown us time and time again, when we make progress, there is always a backlash, and we have been in the midst of that backlash. It’s full of meanness of spirit, a denigration of democratic ideals. It’s full of dog whistles and racist comments and deep sexism
• But I know that we also have the ability to see this moment differently. It’s full of possibility and promise. I want us all to embrace it. Don’t give in to the cynical voices that say that we can’t elect a woman president. Of course we can. Let’s not have a failure of imagination. Of course we can elect a black woman. We have to stop parroting this idea that we are only as good as the most racist and sexist, people in our country

US Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), the first lesbian mother elected to Congress:

• Ten years ago when I started running for Congress in this district that had been in Republican hands for like 68 of 72 years, nobody thought a Democrat could win, but certainly nobody thought a lesbian mother of four could win
• So when we think about what is possible in this election, we’re going to get Kamala Harris across the finish line, because she’s going to stand with legislators like me
• We’re going to work to make sure that the Equality Act is passed into law [so that] young people across this country don’t have to fight the fights that we fought

US Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), the first gay Asian man elected to Congress:

• I want to tell you how excited I am that Kamala Harris will be our candidate for president United States, because I believe she can beat Donald Trump
• [We] need to do everything we can to step up and lift her up, so that she will be victorious. We need to decide right now that we are going to win this election — not just win the White House, but win the Congress
• If we don’t have that trifecta of the White House, a pro-equality House of Representatives, [and] a pro equality Senate, we will not get the Equality Act signed into law. [So] that’s going to be my job, it’s going to be your job, it’s going to be all our jobs to make sure that we set the conditions for full equality in November

Sarah McBride, Delaware’s first trans state senator who will become the first trans person in Congress if elected in November:

• I hope to join you all, not only as the nation’s first out trans member of Congress, but also as Joe Biden’s member of Congress. And I want to take a moment to thank Joe Biden for always being exactly the kind of leader our nation needs at exactly the moment we need him
• He ran in 2020 to save our democracy, and he is passing the torch to a new generation, to Kamala Harris to do that once again in 2024 and that’s one of the many reasons why I’m proud to join my fellow Delawarean in support of our next president, Kamala Harris
• We come together tonight at a critical moment for the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people like me across the country, Donald Trump, J.D. Vance and their Project 2025 agenda are crystal clear. They will spend the next four years seeking to manufacture culture wars and to divide and discriminate
• We saw it at the Republican Convention just last week. After building up expectations for a new Donald Trump gracing the stage with a focus on unity, what we saw when Donald Trump took that stage was the same old self-serving, insecure, incompetent trust fund baby that he has always been.
• But I know our community was not surprised. We know Donald Trump. He’s the man who governed based on pettiness and grievance for four long years, who incited an insurrection and mocked victims of political violence, who attacked abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights and workers rights, every step of the way
• That’s what four more years of Donald Trump would mean, and that is the question in this election. Would we go backwards or do we move forward? Do we choose freedom over fear, hope over hatred? Do we return to the policies of the 1950s or do we build on the progress of the Biden-Harris administration, the most accomplished in modern history? That’s why we must elect Kamala Harris to the White House. It’s why we must keep the Senate, and it’s why we must flip the United States House of Representatives to not only defeat the politics of hate, but to move equality forward
• The responsibility in this election, to show a young trans person who fears that the heart of this country is not big enough to love them too, that no matter what extremists say or do that our next President and Vice President continue to have their back

Michele Rayner, the first lesbian Black woman to serve in the Florida Legislature:

• I was able to finalize an adoption for two of my best friends, two gay dads who were able to adopt their queer, nonbinary child. And guess what? That’s what happens in an America where Joe Biden is the president and he hands the torch to Kamala Harris. That’s what happens when we have love over hate
• I’m all in for [Kamala Harris]. I’m all in not just because of experiences that I’ve had with her, being able to spend time with her, I’m all in because, listen, right now, right now, justice is on the ballot, and the people are on the ballot. Our very lives are at stake, and she has a proven track record
• My good friend, [Florida state] Sen. Shervin Jones, used my phrase, ‘you can’t compare what you don’t compete. Baby, there is no competition. I don’t know what the competition is. I don’t know what we’re comparing. We’re comparing one of the most accomplished stateswomen that has ever ran for office, that’s ever ran for the presidency, against the other person that’s 34 times convicted
• I was thinking about what my mother endured while she was integrating the University of South Florida, what Vice President Harris’s mother endured when she came to the United States and fought her way
• We are our queer, LGBTQ ancestors’ wildest dreams. And it is incumbent upon us to do the thing, because they are giving us the strength to do it. They are giving us the fight to do it

Lorena Austin, Arizona’s first chicane gender non-conforming state legislator:

• I was elected as the first chicane nonbinary legislator in the country. So don’t tell me that we can’t do this. Don’t tell me that we can’t make progress. And I’ll tell you right now, we’re not going back
• Talking about marriages, something that’s been established for so long, Kamala was one of the first people — let’s give it up for our future president, Kamala Harris, who, on the day that marriage was passed in our nation, she said, ‘let us get married right now. Not in a few hours from now. Right now. I demand it’
• Here in the state of Arizona, our LGBTQ+ rights are on the line every single day. We see nothing but record numbers of anti LGBTQ bills. Here in the state of Arizona, I’m doing everything I can to combat those bills, and thankfully, we have defeated so many of them
• But I know I’m just annoyingly optimistic that we’re going to get the job done, because we have Kamala on this ticket

Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, the first gay person of color to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

• I am in Erie, which is a battleground county in a battleground state. We love the work of the Biden Harris administration. They have stood with Black women’s maternal health, a problem here, in a way you might not understand the rest of this country. They are standing with our youth
• You know Kamala Harris’s record. You all know that there is nobody more qualified to be our next president. And you know that on the other side of the ledger, we have folks who couldn’t care less, and in fact, are as antagonistic and aggressively backwards as you could possibly be. [But] candidates don’t win elections. You win elections

LGBTQ advocacy leaders

Advocates 4 Trans Equality Executive Director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen:

• This is history in the making, and what I’m most excited about with this election is that it it is so easy for any of us to get scared and worried in these times, these unprecedented times. But now with this election, we don’t have to just watch this happen anymore. We get to take control. We now get to be in the driver’s seat by voting, by getting our friends registered, getting them out to vote. We get to be in control, and we get to make history happen.
• This is not the only time we’re going to be getting together, y’all, right? This is only the start of some incredible work we’re going to be able to do together to get this over the finish line and not just elect President Harris, which we will, but usher in a new era where all of us can be our authentic selves no matter who we are

National LGBTQ+ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director Kierra Johnson:

• The National LGBTQ+ Task Force Action Fund is supporting Kamala because we know she’s a candidate who will protect the right to vote and protect the right for fair elections. [Some might say] ‘that’s not an LGBTQ issue!’ Like hell it isn’t! We can’t do anything without protecting democracy
• This is the first time since President Carter that the Task Force Action Fund has endorsed a presidential candidate. That is no small thing. And we are excited to be putting our energy and our excitement and our feet on the ground for this campaign
• We know LGBTQ children are under attack in schools, and voting for Kamala on Nov. 5 will ensure that Project 2025 and Agenda 47, which would put the lives of trans and nonbinary youth at risk under the guise of parental rights, doesn’t move an inch

HRC President Kelley Robinson:

• I am so grateful to President Joe Biden and the greatest decision that he made, to pass the torch to Kamala Harris to be that standard bearer that helps us think of ‘what can be, without being burdened by what has been,’ right, as our good soon-to-be president says
• This time, we’re not just choosing between two candidates. We are choosing between two different futures for our country, two different futures for our kids, at a moment where we’ve got to make sure, make it clear, and make it explicit
• We’re not just going to beat Donald Trump. We’re going to stomp out Trumpism and all the MAGA-ism wherever it lives and where it lies, because in this moment, we’re going to ensure that love triumphs over hate, that hope triumphs over fear…that joy is available to every single one of us
• I just got back from Milwaukee, Wis.,, where the Republican National Convention was, and let me tell you, we are dealing with a unified opposition. They are unified in their hate. They’re unified in their bigotry, in their sexism and their racism. And coming together today, we’re showing them that we’re unified too
• We have to be clear, especially as queer folks, as people of color, this ain’t the hardest it’s ever been. There’s always been moments that call our values into question as a nation, our humanity into question, and it’s always been people like us that step up and protect it. I’m talking about those activists that came through during the AIDS crisis. I’m talking about the civil rights leaders who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge [and those who stood up for marriage equality and trans rights]
• When you’re experiencing a breakdown like the one we’re in — a social breakdown, a spiritual breakdown, a cultural one — there’s usually a breakthrough waiting for you on the other side

The Ghanaian Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a law that criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual relations.

Media reports indicate a 7-judge panel unanimously dismissed a challenge to the colonial-era law that Prince Obiri-Korang, a professor at the University of Ghana Law School, filed.

“What most Ghanaians don’t know is that this law of ‘unnatural carnal knowledge’ doesn’t have a sexual orientation on it, even though used against gays,” said Rightify Ghana, a Ghanaian advocacy group, on X. “Whether the person is gay or straight, unnatural carnal knowledge means it is illegal to have anal sex or oral sex/blowjob/BJ.”

What most Ghanaians don't know is that this law of "unnatural carnal knowledge" doesn't have a sexual orientation on it, even though used against gays

Whether the person is gay or straight, unnatural carnal knowledge means it is illegal to have anal sex or oral sex/blowjob /BJ https://t.co/GHc2z4Cenu

— Rightify Ghana (@RightifyGhana) July 24, 2024

Liz Throssell, a spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Office in Geneva, on Friday issued a statement that also criticized the ruling.

“We deeply regret the decision by the Supreme Court of Ghana to uphold colonial-era provisions of the Criminal Offenses Act that effectively criminalize consensual same-sex relations,” reads the statement. “The court’s ruling on 24 July is especially concerning given reports of a recent spike in violence against LGBTQ+ people in Ghana.”

Ghana is among the African countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized.

Burkina Faso’s military government earlier this month announced it plans to criminalize homosexuality in the country that borders Ghana. The Namibian government on July 20 appealed a ruling that struck down the country’s apartheid-era sodomy law. 

Ghanaian lawmakers on Feb. 28 approved the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill that would, among other things, criminalize allyship. Advocacy groups in Ghana and around the world, along with the State Department and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer have sharply criticized the measure.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he will not sign the bill until the Supreme Court rules on whether it is constitutional or not. 

The U.N. Human Rights Office in Friday’s statement notes “the ongoing legal challenges to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.” It also highlights U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has criticized the measure. 

“We urge Ghana to uphold its obligations under international human rights law, including in the human rights treaties it has ratified, and to ensure that all people living in Ghana, without exception, are able to live free from violence, stigma, and discrimination,” reads the statement.

A prominent LGBTQ activist is reportedly among those under consideration for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.)’s Senate seat once he resigns next month.

Newsweek on Tuesday reported Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino is among those who New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy could potentially appoint to Menendez’s seat.

A federal jury on July 16 convicted Menendez of corruption charges. The New Jersey Democrat on Tuesday announced he will resign from the U.S. Senate on Aug. 20. 

Newsweek described Fuscarino, who has been Garden State Equality’s executive director since 2016, as “a staunch supporter of Murphy” who could become the country’s first openly gay U.S. senator. The article further notes Murphy “has shown a penchant for making historic appointments, which adds weight to Fuscarino’s candidacy.”

Fuscarino on Thursday in a statement to the Washington Blade said he was “taken by surprise” when he learned he is under consideration for Menendez’s seat.

“I understand how significant becoming our nation’s first openly queer male U.S. senator would be, and I am humbled to even be suggested,” said Fuscarino.

“All that I am is because of the queer and trans movement, having started community organizing under the mentorship of Kevin Jennings, founder of GLSEN and current leader of Lambda Legal, when I was just 14 years old,” he added. “It was the stories shared at gay bars, HIV/AIDS advocates, and Pride organizers who guided me over the last two decades, energizing communities to fight for lived equality. It is because of this movement and all those who sacrificed more so that one day a queer man would even be considered for U.S. senate.”

Newsweek reported New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim, state Sen. Vin Gopal, Attorney General Matt Platkin, former state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, Jeannine LaRue, and New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Chair Dianna Houenou are among those who Murphy is also considering for Menendez’s seat.

The person who Murphy appoints would serve the remainder of Menendez’s term, which ends in January.   

Fuscarino on Tuesday said Menendez “made the right decision in stepping down.” 

His statement notes Republicans have nominated Curtis Bashaw, who is gay, to run for Menendez’s seat. Kim last month won the Democratic primary for the race.

“Republicans have nominated a candidate who has pledged allegiance to the vulgarities that define former president Trump,” said Fuscarino on Tuesday. “Make no mistake that Republican candidate — while he would be the first openly gay male senator in U.S. history — would represent a false sense of diversity.”

“I have no doubt that Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint a new senator — whose value system seeks to unify all communities — with established credentials in advancing true diversity, equity, and inclusion for all,” he added.

Fuscarino told the Blade that “while I would accept this appointment, this is exactly that — an appointment, not a campaign or an election.” 

“As I wrote in a statement earlier this week, I have complete confidence Gov. Phil Murphy will select the most qualified individual for this temporary role,” he said. “This decision rests entirely with him and there are a lot of factors to consider.”

The Blade has reached out to Murphy’s office for comment.

On July 10, as India’s Supreme Court was engrossed in a pivotal review petition concerning marriage equality, an unexpected twist unfolded.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the court’s most senior judge, made the surprising decision to recuse himself from considering the pleas. This unforeseen development added a dramatic layer to a historic and closely watched judicial review.

The pleas seek a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling from last year that declined to legally recognize same-sex marriage. Reports indicate Khanna cited personal reasons for his recusal, adding a layer of intrigue to the already high-stakes proceeding.

In the wake of Khanna’s unexpected recusal, the Supreme Court is set to undergo a significant shift.

According to the court’s procedural rules, Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud will reconstitute a new 5-judge constitution bench. This pivotal move marks a crucial step in the ongoing legal saga, ensuring the review of the marriage equality case continues with a fresh panel at the helm.

The Supreme Court, led by Chandrachud, on July 9 made a crucial decision regarding the review petition. It declined to grant an open court hearing, stating the constitutional bench review would be conducted in chambers rather than in open court.

The Supreme Court’s clarification came after petitioners, challenging last October’s marriage equality ruling, fervently urged the top court for an open court hearing. Their plea sought transparency and public scrutiny, hoping to bring the issue back into the spotlight.

The court in its October 2023 ruling said the power to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples lies with parliament, not the judiciary, underscoring the need for legislative action to address this crucial issue.

Although the top court refused to grant marriage rights to the queer community in India, it did recognize their right to live free from discrimination. The court affirmed queer people should have the same access to goods and services as their heterosexual counterparts, ensuring protection against bias and unequal treatment in everyday life. This decision, while falling short of full marriage rights, marked a crucial step forward in the fight for equality and dignity for the LGBTQ community in India.

The Supreme Court last year in a landmark ruling said transgender people in heterosexual relationships have the right to marry under the existing legal provisions.

Neeraj Kishan Kaul brought the review petition before the Supreme Court, requesting an open hearing on the case seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages.

The petition specifically addressed the inclusion of same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954, the Foreign Marriage Act of 1969, and the Citizenship Act of 1955, as well as under common law and other existing statutes. This plea highlighted the broad legal framework that could accommodate same-sex marriages, urging the court to reconsider its stance in a transparent and public forum.

The Supreme Court last October also declined to grant adoption rights to the LGBTQ community. The court upheld Regulation 5(3) of the Indian CARA Regulations, asserting that this provision could not be declared void.

According to CARA Regulations, specifically Regulation 5(3), “No child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of a stable marital relationship, except in cases of relative or step-parent adoption.” This regulation underscores the stringent criteria set for adoption, emphasizing the importance of a stable and legally recognized marriage, thereby excluding LGBTQ couples from adopting children under the current legal framework.

The regulation outlines the eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents. According to Regulation 2(b) and (c), a single female can adopt a child of any gender, whereas a single male is not eligible to adopt a girl child.

Although the 2023 judgment did not favor the LGBTQ community regarding marriage equality, the Supreme Court made a significant acknowledgment. It recognized being a member of the LGBTQ community is a natural phenomenon and not an “urban or elite” phenomenon, as previously suggested by the government.

Marriage equality in Thailand gives Indian activists hope; challenges remain

Negha Shahin, who in 2022 became the first trans actress to win a Kerala State Film Awards, told the Washington Blade that LGBTQ Indians continue to face systemic discrimination and legal challenges, particularly in the fight for marriage equality.

“We live in 2024 when humanity has made remarkable advancements in science and technology. We understand the complex theories behind black holes and have successfully sent rockets into space. Yet, it is deeply disappointing that we still fail to recognize and uphold the basic rights of the queer community,” said Shahin. “For years, activists and allies have been advocating for the recognition of same-sex marriages, striving for a society where love and commitment are acknowledged and respected regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”

She said the Supreme Court’s denial of marriage rights for same-sex couples is a major setback. Shahin added it underscores the gap between technological advancements and social progress.

“Denying this right to same-sex couples not only perpetuates inequality but also inflicts emotional and social harm on a significant segment of our population,” said Shahin. “We must increase the chances of achieving marriage equality by pushing for legislative changes.”

“Our lawmakers have a responsibility to create laws that reflect the values of equality and justice for all citizens,” she added. “Without ensuring the basic rights of gender and sexual minorities, we cannot truly claim that India is progressing. It is time for India to bridge this gap and ensure that the rights of the LGBTQIA community are fully recognized and protected. Only then can we truly say that we are growing as nation.”

Shahin discussed the recent passage of a marriage equality law in Thailand, which shares a maritime border with India. (Same-sex couples can also legally marry in Nepal, which borders India.)

She noted Thailand is a monarchy, whereas India is a democracy. Shahin told the Blade that one may have expected India to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples first, given the country’s democratic values and its emphasis on equality.

“Seeing a neighboring country like Thailand legalize same-sex marriage may create pressure on Indian lawmakers to address the issue more seriously,” she said. “It highlights the disparity in rights between countries and could push Indian politicians to consider similar legalization to avoid falling behind in terms of human rights.”

Souvik Saha, founder of People for Change, one of India’s premier LGBTQ rights groups, told the Blade that as an activist who works for LGBTQ rights in Jharkhand state, he sees recent developments regarding the Supreme Court’s review petition on same-sex marriage as a significant step forward.

“The recusal of a judge and the constitution of a new bench indicate a reevaluation of existing legal perspectives, potentially paving the way for progress towards marriage equality in India,” said Saha. “The global trend towards marriage equality, such as Thailand’s recent move, can certainly influence India’s judicial decisions and societal perceptions.”

“Thailand’s legalization of same-sex marriage in 2024 reflects a growing global acceptance and recognition of LGBT rights. This shift is noteworthy because it demonstrates that cultural attitudes and legal frameworks are evolving to embrace equality and human rights,” he added.

The Supreme Court in 2018 decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in India.

Saha said there has been increasing momentum towards broader inclusion and equality since that landmark ruling. The U.N. Development Program’s 2020 report on LGBTQ rights in India he notes indicates this progress has been uneven.

The UNDP notes legal recognition and protection against discrimination are crucial steps towards achieving full equality. The involvement of civil society organizations and advocacy groups, such as those in Jharkhand, plays a crucial role in pushing for inclusive policies and legal reforms.

Ankush Kumar is a reporter who has covered many stories for Washington and Los Angeles Blades from Iran, India, and Singapore. He recently reported for the Daily Beast. He can be reached [email protected]. He is on Twitter at @mohitkopinion.

The Namibian government has appealed a ruling that struck down the country’s apartheid-era sodomy laws.

The country’s High Court last month ruled the statutes are unconstitutional.

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation reported Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab; Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa; Attorney General Festus Mbandeka; and the Home Affairs, Safety, and Security and Defense Ministries appealed the ruling to the Namibian Supreme Court on July 20.

“The government has given notice that they will appeal the landmark decriminalization ruling to the Supreme Court,” said Omar van Reene, founder of the Namibia Equal Rights Movement, a Namibian advocacy group, on Wednesday in a statement posted to Facebook. “This is done with two motives: 1) to buy cheap campaign points to their minority homophobic base (and) 2) showing that they are fighting against ‘homosexuality’ in the country.”

Namibia gained its independence from South Africa in 1990.

“We know our constitution is clear, that apartheid-era laws have no place in a born-free Namibia,” said van Reene. “So, fear not, dive into community and not into despair. We will win at the Supreme Court, and this will actually only further entrench, solidify and enshrine our constitutional rights.”

Neighboring Botswana and Angola are among the countries that have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations over the last decade.

The Namibian Supreme Court last year ruled the country must recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere. The landmark decision sparked criticism among leading politicians and religious officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday mocked gay pro-Palestinian protesters in a speech that he delivered to a joint session of Congress.

“Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming ‘Gays for Gaza,'” said Netanyahu. “They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.'”

Netanyahu spoke to Congress less than a year after Hamas, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization, launched from the Gaza Strip a surprise attack against communities in southern Israel.

The Israeli government says Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, including at least 260 partygoers and others at the Nova Music Festival. Dozens of people who were taken hostage on Oct. 7 remain alive in Gaza. 

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry says nearly 38,000 people have died in the enclave since the war began.

The International Criminal Court on May 20 announced it plans to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders — Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. Karim Khan, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, said the five men have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel.

Outright International and the National LGBTQ Task Force are among the groups that have publicly called for a ceasefire. ACT UP, the Audre Lorde Project, and No Pride in Genocide have organized protests against the war since Oct. 7.  

Gay U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.), lesbian U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.), and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are among the lawmakers who refused to attend Netanyahu’s speech. 

Thousands of people have protested Netanyahu since he arrived in D.C. on Monday. 

The Associated Press reported police on Wednesday used pepper spray to disperse protesters near the Capitol after they became “violent” and “failed to obey” orders to move away from a police line. Protesters, according to the AP, also vandalized a Christopher Columbus moment in front of Union Station and set a Netanyahu effigy on fire.

Netanyahu in his speech said Iran is “funding and promoting anti-Israel protests in America.”

“When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting, and funding you, you have officially become Tehran’s useful idiots,” he said. 

Less than three days after President Joe Biden announced his decision to step off the ticket and endorsed Kamala Harris to run in his stead, the vice president had emerged as her party’s de facto pick to take on the Republican nominee Donald Trump in November.

According to data from the Associated Press, by Monday 2,868 of the nearly 4,000 delegates who represent Democratic voters had endorsed Harris, well exceeding the 50 percent threshold necessary for her to lock up the nomination, which will be made official during the Democratic National Convention next month. The first ballots will be cast between Aug. 1 and Aug. 7.

“When I announced my campaign for president, I said I intended to go out and earn this nomination,” the vice president said in a statement Monday. “Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee,” she said, adding, “I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.”

Virtually all prominent Democrats whose names were floated as potential rivals quickly lined up behind Harris, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was tapped to co-chair the campaign, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay Cabinet member, who is considered a top contender to be her running-mate for vice president.

As of midday Wednesday, endorsements had come from over 90 percent of House Democrats, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as well as from every Democratic governor and every Democratic U.S. senator except for Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) (who was just convicted on charges related to an international bribery scheme and announced plans to resign from Congress.)

Also supporting Harris are major organizations that are allied with the party (limited, of course, to those permitted under FEC rules to endorse political candidates). Among them are major labor unions like SEIU and IBEW, advocacy shops like Emily’s List and Gen Z for Change, and civil rights groups like UnidosUS and the Human Rights Campaign.

And in a signal of the popularity of a reconfigured Democratic ticket led by the vice president, her campaign announced that a record breaking sum in excess of $100 million was raised between Saturday afternoon and Tuesday morning with mostly small-dollar contributions from 1.1 million supporters, 60 percent of whom were first-time donors.

The journey toward Harris’s nomination began with the president’s shaky performance against Trump during the televised CNN debate on June 27, which led to a chorus of calls for the 81-year-old to step aside as polls showed he had no clear path to winning the race.

By and large, the Democratic donors, celebrities, and elected officials who pushed for a new ticket did so despite their admiration and affinity for Biden and respect for his record as president. Within the party and beyond, his decision to walk away was celebrated as a patriotic sacrifice of personal ambition for the good of the country.

After Biden backed Harris, she visited campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Del., on Monday, where she delivered remarks about how she will parlay her experience as a prosecutor who went after “predators” and “fraudsters” into her work arguing the case against Trump and ultimately defeating him in November.

Harris also reaffirmed her loyalty to and kinship with Biden while reassuring campaign staff, who had just weathered — by far (at least, so far) — the rockiest period of the 2024 cycle.

“I know it’s been a rollercoaster, and we’re all filled with so many mixed emotions about this,” she said, adding, “I just have to say: I love Joe Biden.”

The president, who was isolating and recovering from COVID-19 at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., called in to the event with words of support and encouragement for the team and for Harris, to whom he said, “I’m watching you, kid,” and “I love ya.”

The next day, Harris headlined a rally in the key battleground state of Wisconsin, where the reception she received was widely described as palpably energetic and enthusiastic, especially when compared to similar campaign affairs prior to the vice president’s emergence this week as the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Putting aside voters’ apparent enthusiasm for her candidacy, the massive uptick in fundraising dollars, the rapid coalescence of support for her nomination from virtually the entire Democratic Party along with the various affiliated interests and entities, and the deftness with which she navigated an especially fraught conflict of which she was in the very center both personally and politically, any lingering questions about whether Harris has the full suite of skills and attributes of a top-tier candidate for national political office may have dissipated with her performances in these and other recent public appearances.

If, in fact, they persist, concerns about Harris’s ability to rise to the occasion largely stem from her 2020 Democratic presidential primary campaign, which folded ahead of the Iowa caucuses amid criticism that the California Democrat failed to articulate a cohesive and authentic message about her reasons for running and her vision for America.

As San Francisco Chronicle Washington Correspondent Shira Stein said during Jake Tapper’s CNN program on Tuesday, Harris has sharpened her skills as a politician over the past four years as she has served as vice president.

The political landscape has also shifted in ways that seem more broadly favorable to her candidacy in 2024. For example, voters might be more receptive to a nominee who built her career as a smart-on-crime prosecutor now that conversations about justice in policing are less salient than they were in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder while concerns about public safety are now more ascendant.

The 2020 campaign aside, to the extent that Harris may have other handicaps — missteps while in office, controversial elements of her prosecutorial record, her perceived shortcomings as a candidate — they are, largely, already known, Stein said. “She’s been in political life for quite a long time.”

Far less clear is what the polls will look like over the months ahead as Harris reintroduces herself to voters and the dust settles from recent events that have caused tremendous upheaval in the 2024 race, including Biden’s departure from the ticket.

LGBTQ groups and leaders back Harris while thanking Biden

In written statements and public remarks over the past few days, LGBTQ leaders and organizations highlighted Biden and Harris’s records advancing rights and protections for the community, touted their administration’s legacy as the most pro-LGBTQ in history. (Washington Blade editor and co-owner Kevin Naff published an op-ed Wednesday titled, “Joe Biden, our fiercest ally“.)

They voiced confidence in Harris’s vision for building on that progress over the next four years and chronicled the ways in which she — in her roles as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator, and vice president — had a hand in many of the major milestones in the fight for LGBTQ civil rights that were won over the past few decades, from the legalization of same-sex marriage to ending the so-called “gay and trans panic defense.”

Several who spoke out to support Harris noted that she would be the first Black woman and the first South Asian presidential nominee to lead a major party ticket, having previously broken barriers throughout her career in elected office.

“We are deeply grateful to President Biden for his more than 50 years of public service and his longtime support for the LGBTQ+ community,” HRC President Kelley Robinson said. “Today’s announcement reflects what President Biden has done his entire career and will be core to his legacy: Putting the needs of Americans and his country above his own.”

“We owe the Biden-Harris team a debt of gratitude for leading the country out of a state of chaos and constant crisis under former President Trump,” she said. “And the Human Rights Campaign endorses the tough, formidable, and experienced Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Vice President Harris has the support of millions of Americans, as primary voters have already made the decision to put her on the ticket.” 

Robinson said, “Vice President Kamala Harris is a trailblazer and has been a champion for LGBTQ+ equality for decades: from leading the fight in San Francisco against hate crimes and her work in California to end the so-called gay and transgender ‘panic defense’ to her early support for marriage equality and her leadership serving as our vice president.” 

“Convicted felon Donald Trump has already shown that he aims to destroy democracy and divide the country in his quest for power,” she said. “Vice President Kamala Harris is a true champion of unity and accountability – and will fight for a country where no one is above the law and ‘justice for all’ means something.”

HRC, Robinson wrote, “could not be prouder to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and commit to channeling our resources and supporters to work to elect the first Black and South Asian woman president of the United States.”

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President Annise Parker said her organization “commends President Joe Biden on leading the most progressive and inclusive presidential term in American history” under which “LGBTQ+ people have received a record number of federal appointments, including cabinet members, judges and around 14 percent of political appointments.”

“His dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ communities and championing pro-equality legislation and executive action has created the most inclusive and affirming administration our country has ever seen,” Parker said. “And, despite attacks on LGBTQ+ liberties in state governments nationwide, the Biden administration has reinforced its dedication to LGBTQ+ equality through action.”

“We are sincerely grateful for President Biden’s leadership, partnership and service to our nation,” she said. “We know we have a trusted ally in Vice President Kamala Harris who works tirelessly toward full LGBTQ+ equality.”

Noting how Harris’s identity would make her nomination historic for the party and the country, Parker said she “is an enthusiastic supporter of pro-equality policies and LGBTQ+ communities” and added that “the record-breaking LGBTQ+ inclusivity of the Biden/Harris administration will continue under Harris’ leadership” while “the possibility that someone like Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg could be her running mate is monumental.”

“The prospect of a Harris/Buttigieg ticket would be a watershed moment in our decades-long efforts to make all levels of government more inclusive and could be the most historic Presidential ticket ever in our nation,” she said.

National LGBTQ+ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director Kierra Johnson said: “We are grateful for President Biden’s decades of service and allyship to LGBTQ communities — and for everything his administration has done to move our community forward. 

“At this critical moment for our democracy and our freedoms, we have both hope and excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris and what she can do for our country. We fully expect a continued commitment to always putting our communities first.

We now recommit to moving forward in the democratic process, the upcoming convention and the November elections.

The Task Force action fund calls on LGBTQ+ people and our allies to take action and engage in the political process. Only through a show of voting power in the Nov. 5 election will we begin building the democracy we deserve.”

Gay U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who on Saturday became the 36th Democrat on Capitol Hill to call for Biden to exit the race, urged the president to hand “the torch to Vice President Harris as the Democratic Party presidential nominee.”

“It has become clear to me that the demands of a modern campaign are now best met by the Vice President, who can seamlessly transition into the role of our party’s standard bearer,” he wrote.

Another gay Democrat in the California delegation, U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, told Lesley Marin of CBS News on Monday that “we’re going to unite behind Vice President Harris,” noting “the incredible record that she’s been a partner of,” which has included “lowering the price of insulin, infrastructure, investments in climate change, [and] her incredible work in protecting women’s right to choose.”

“At the same time, she’s a prosecutor,” Garcia said. “Look at her work as attorney general. She’s going to prosecute the case against Donald Trump.”

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), the openly gay chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, also spoke in support of Harris during an interview with CBS News Sunday, arguing that “She’s ready to win Wisconsin,” which is “one of those pivotal states” along with Michigan and Pennsylvania that “are on the top of the list” for Democrats to win in November.

Harris has “the energy to run around the state and do all the campaigning and show that contrast with” the Republican nominee who is “old” and “tired,” the congressman said, using an argument against Trump that has been rolled out by a number of Democrats following Biden’s withdrawal from the race on Sunday.

The vice president will be especially effective in relaying to voters how Trump’s appointment of three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court during his first term led to a decision revoking constitutional protections for abortion that were in place since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, Pocan said. As a result, he added, “now we are in 1849 law in Wisconsin” with respect to reproductive rights.

An ally both politically and personally

In a written statement to the Blade, Harris for President Senior Spokesperson Kevin Munoz said, “Vice President Harris has been a steadfast ally and fighter for LGBTQ+ Americans since her early days in office.”

He added, “Like President Biden, she’s never shied away from fighting for us, as demonstrated by her record throughout her time in public service, as well as being a part of the most pro-LGBTQ+ administration in history. Vice President Harris has had the LBGTQ+ community’s back, and this November, we’ll have hers.”

High-profile LGBTQ officials serving in the Biden-Harris government include Buttigieg, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine, and Ben LaBolt and Karine Jean-Pierre, who respectively serve as communications director and press secretary for the White House.

Two gay men who were on her staff prior to her election as vice president spoke with the Blade for a story in June that accompanied the newspaper’s exclusive interview with Harris. Munoz and Sergio Gonzales, senior advisor to Harris and the campaign, were among the six LGBTQ aides and officials who participated in a three-part profile series last year (during which time the operation in Wilmington was far leaner than it is now.)

Those who are close with the vice president (or those who follow her speeches closely) understand she has deep ties to the community and treasured relationships with LGBTQ friends and colleagues like Jim Rivaldo, a political consultant who helped elect gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk before leading Harris to victory in her first district attorney’s race in 2003.

As vice president, Harris not only shared in the credit for her administration’s pro-LGBTQ wins while maximizing representation from the community in positions of power and influence in American government, but she also found ways to signal her support through other personal, individual means.

For example, Harris in 2022 became the first sitting VP to host a Pride month celebration at the vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory, which became an annual tradition under her tenure.

Rosenberg Foundation President Tim Silard, who worked under Harris when she was San Francisco district attorney, shared a statement with the Blade by text voicing his support for her candidacy.

“Vice President Harris will be the most outstanding President in my lifetime,” he said. “She has been an unwavering champion of the LGBTQ community, fighting to make all of our families safer and expanding civil rights and our opportunities to thrive.”

Silard added, “I know she will take on bullies at home and abroad and bring our nation together in new and exciting ways. I could not be prouder to support her and will do anything I can to help elect her.”

Alex, 29, would not have met their friends without the internet. While living in a small city surrounded by farmland, finding community was not always easy.

Alex tried out one of those apps for adults seeking to make friends. It turned out to be a remarkable success. “I’ve made my friend group as a direct result of using the internet,” they said, explaining that even though all the friends are trans, due to their diverse interests, “we would have been hard-pressed to have ever really run into each other by happenstance.”

Making friends online is also safer for Alex. Before they pursued HRT and surgery and looked more “visibly queer,” they were in scary situations. “I’ve had pickup trucks chase me while driving, people call out slurs while driving by me, and I’ve been shot at,” they said. 

Having the internet available for appointments, work, and social activities is fundamental to their life.

But the web was not always such a friendly place for Alex. “There’s so much hate and falsehoods out there about trans people,” they said. “It’s why it takes so long for some of us to learn about who we are.”

This dissonance is widespread within the LGBTQ community. A recent report—”ctrl+alt+lgbt: Digital Access, Usage, and Experiences of the LGBTQ+ Community”—by LGBT Tech and Data for Progress provides insight into that phenomenon. 

Shae Gardner, director of policy at LGBT Tech, explained that most of the research about the LGBTQ community’s internet use historically has focused on youth. The project aimed to fill the gap. From surveys with 1,300 people across the country, the report found that while the internet is a foundational space for LGBTQ community building and self-expression, it also comes with a high risk for bullying and harassment.  

These findings intensify when looking specifically at the data for underrepresented groups within the LGBTQ population like the transgender community, who are by far the group that faces the most harassment online, per the Anti-Defamation League. Gardner explained that the survey was over-sampled for transgender individuals intentionally. “We really wanted to understand that specific experience,” Gardner said.

The Blade interviewed five trans people about their experiences to gain insight into how different community members felt while navigating the web and specifically identified sources who do not have public platforms and therefore do not face heightened public scrutiny. Due to concern for backlash, all sources for this story spoke on condition of anonymity with gender-ambiguous names and they/them pronouns.

Four out of five of the people interviewed emphasized that the internet is a vital resource for accessing healthcare. 

Riley, 24, explained, “I have such immense dread about transitioning because I don’t want to have to interact with doctors around my identity. I feel like I don’t have access to providers who are able to understand me.”

The internet, for many, provides a safe location to access health information and care without the judgment of doctors. Kai, 23, and Cameron, 27, both shared that the internet was an important place for them to learn specifics around trans healthcare and seek out trans-friendly providers. Alex agreed and added that they have made it so all of their doctors’ appointments through tele-health.

These experiences are consistent with the larger trans community. LGBT Tech’s survey found that 70% of transgender adults use the internet to find LGBTQ-friendly healthcare. By comparison, only 41% of cisgender LGBTQ adults use the internet to find the same friendly care.

All the sources interviewed said they sought LGBTQ community online with varying degrees of success. 

Jordan, 24, said that not only is social media a good way to stay connected with people they know, but it also helps them find a broader community. “It’s nice to follow other trans and queer people whose experiences can inspire me or make me feel seen.”

Cameron emphasized that the internet provides connections to activities and communities around town. “Social media has facilitated my in-person queer and trans community,” they explained. “I learn a lot about what queer events are happening around town via social media. I have a wonderful community playing queer sports that I wouldn’t have found without the internet.”

Kai shared that it hasn’t been a successful pursuit for them: “I wish it did more than it does.” 

Per Trans Tech’s survey, transgender adults “often” use social media to connect with existing LGBTQ friends and family 41% of the time (as opposed to “sometimes” “rarely” or “never”). This is 21% more than the LGBTQ community at large. The survey also reveals that transgender adults are 20% more likely to “often” use social media to connect with new LGBTQ community than the LGBTQ community at large.

Everyone but Cameron has experienced some form of direct bullying or harassment for being transgender, either online or in person. The survey found that 83% of transgender adults have faced bullying online. By comparison, 59% of the cisgender LGBTQ community faced bullying online. 

“Technology is only as good as its application. And this is the other side of the dual-edged sword,” said Gardner. 

Gardner explained that the online and in-person harassment was mirrored. “The experiences of anti-LGBTQ bullying were very high, both for LGBTQ+ individuals and especially for trans individuals, but those numbers were nearly equitable to the experiences that that they have in the real world with anti-LGBTQ+ bullying,” she said. The survey found that 82% of transgender adults faced bullying in person.

The survey found despite the comparable levels of harassment and high levels of misinformation (93% of transgender adults saw anti-LGBTQ misinformation online), respondents overwhelmingly felt safe online—67% of trans adults and 76% of cisgender LGBTQ adults. 

When she compared this phenomenon to her life, Gardner wasn’t surprised. “The harassment that I have faced online has certainly felt less immediately threatening than what I’ve faced in person. The mental toll it takes is significant, but I would argue individuals probably have an easier time getting away from it.”

That doesn’t stop Gardner from noting, “We need to be fighting [harassment] in both places.” 

She explained that, “when we are staring down the barrel of record-setting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation yet again, it is so integral to keep fighting for digital spaces to be as safe as possible.”

Regardless of its safety, it is a space that is a constant for many. “I use the internet constantly,” said Alex. “I use the internet a lot at work since I have a desk job,” said Jordan.

When reflecting on the internet, Riley summed up the tensions they experience. “It can be harrowing often but simultaneously it’s where I feel a sense of community and access.”

(This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.)

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced on Tuesday his candidacy for California governor in the 2026 election, joining an expanding roster of contenders vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

The former mayor has a long track record in support of the LGBTQ community, even preceding his declaration as chairman of the 2012 Democratic National Convention that he favored a same-sex marriage legalization plank in the party’s platform, support that ultimately led to support from the Vice President Biden and later President Barack Obama.

Villaraigosa, who previously ran for governor in 2018 and finished third in the primary behind Newsom and Republican John Cox, brings a long history in California politics, having served as Assembly speaker, a Los Angeles City Council member, and the city’s mayor.

Villaraigosa, 71, has maintained a presence in state politics despite leaving elected office in 2013. 

His campaign is positioning him as a seasoned “problem solver,” with a focus on the state budget, education, and reducing costs for small businesses and middle-class families. 

“We have serious problems, and money alone won’t fix them,” Villaraigosa stated. “We need to focus on better outcomes, fixing what’s broken, and investing in what works. I’m a problem solver, and with your support, that’s exactly what I’ll do as governor.”

In his campaign video, Villaraigosa highlighted his achievements as mayor and Assembly speaker, emphasizing his experience in bipartisan legislation and a tough stance on crime, which is anticipated to be a central issue in the 2026 election. His tenure as mayor was marked by significant restructuring of the Los Angeles Police Department and efforts to improve the city’s education system.

Villaraigosa joins a crowded Democratic field that includes Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and former state Controller Betty Yee. Attorney General Rob Bonta is also considering a run, though he has indicated he will decide after the November election. 

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has not ruled out a bid but has not provided a definitive answer.

The race remains wide open, although Kounalakis has already amassed significant campaign funds, with her campaign reporting over $9 million on hand. Current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Congresswoman Katie Porter are among the names rumored to potentially join the race later.

Newsom’s tenure will conclude in early 2027, setting the stage for a competitive race to replace him. Villaraigosa’s entry into the race signals a significant development, given his extensive background in state and local governance and his focus on pragmatic solutions for California’s pressing issues.

The 2026 gubernatorial election will be Villaraigosa’s second attempt at the state’s highest office. 

Villaraigosa’s dedication to diverse and inclusive leadership is evident through his ongoing recognition of leaders who champion these values. As recently as Jan. 18, the Antonio Villaraigosa Leadership Award was presented to San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria at the 37th Tribute to Mayors Signature Event. 

The award, given annually by the Latino Leaders Network, honors mayors from cities with significant Latino populations who have shown a commitment to uniting diverse communities.

“Getting an award in Mayor Villaraigosa’s name is really meaningful to me,” Gloria stated. “I was the nerdy kid who would watch C-SPAN and read the newspaper when I was young. Seeing a charismatic and energetic leader like Villaraigosa made me believe I could achieve similar goals in public service.”

Villaraigosa, who grew up in East Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s when sexism and homophobia pervaded the culture, has a track record fighting for LGBTQ issues.

“I think it’s prevalent in every community but in the Latino community, one could argue, it was even more prevalent, more extreme in terms of sexism and homophobia,” Villaraigosa told Karen Ocamb in a 2018 interview for Los Angeles Blade.

“I grew up with a mom that was very progressive and a victim of domestic violence. I grew up in a home with alcoholism and a father who left three terrorized kids,” explaining his outlook.

“I’m not running for anything else,” said Villaraigosa. “So, a popularity contest is not what I’m looking for. You’re never gonna see Antonio Villaraigosa — candidate for president or vice president. I want to be a damn good governor.”

BY DIANA LAMBERT AND MONICA VELEZ | LAist — A trailblazing state law prohibiting California school boards from passing resolutions that require teachers and school staff to notify parents if they believe a child is transgender isn’t likely to put an end to this polarizing issue.

The Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth, or SAFETY Act, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 15. It will prohibit school districts from requiring staff to disclose to parents’ information related to a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and will protect school staff from retaliation if they refuse to notify parents of a child’s gender preference. The legislation, which will go into effect Jan. 1, also provides additional resources and support for LGBTQ students at junior high and high schools.

“California is the first state to pass a law explicitly prohibiting school districts from enacting forced outing policies in the nation,” said Mike Blount, spokesperson for the author of the bill, Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego).

The legislation was passed in response to the more than a dozen California school boards that proposed or passed parental notification policies in just over a year. The policies require school staff to inform parents if a child asks to use a name or pronoun different from the one assigned at birth, or if they engage in activities and use facilities designed for the opposite sex. At least seven California school districts passed the controversial policies, often after heated public debate.

First lawsuit filed
By Tuesday evening, the conservative nonprofit Liberty Justice Center said it had filed a lawsuit challenging the new law on behalf of Chino Valley Unified, which passed a parental notification policy last year.

“School officials do not have the right to keep secrets from parents, but parents do have a constitutional right to know what their minor children are doing at school,” said Emily Rae, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center in a press release. “Parents are the legal guardians of their children, not Gov. Newsom, Attorney General (Rob) Bonta, or Supt. (Tony) Thurmond. We will continue to defend parents’ rights and children’s well-being by challenging invasive laws like AB 1955 in court, at no cost to taxpayers.”

Other opponents, including Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Riverside) indicated that the issue will be settled in court. He is “committed to challenging the bill in court, and he’s confident he’s on the right side constitutionally,” said Shawn Lewis, Essayli’s chief of staff. Essayli plans to work with a coalition of advocates to challenge the bill, Lewis said.

Election issue
Parental rights is the overarching issue for the Republican Party, but right now it is focused on the parental notification issue, Essayli said in an August interview with EdSource. “This is an issue we want to run on in 2024,” he said.

The newly passed legislation also resulted in a flurry of press releases and social media comments from opponents and supporters. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk weighed in, calling the new law the “final straw” in his decision to move the headquarters for X, formerly known as Twitter, to Texas.

“I did make it clear to Gov. Newsom about a year ago that laws of this nature would force families and companies to leave California to protect their children,” Musk wrote on X.

Proponents of the parental notification policies have said that parents have the right to know what is going on with their children at school and that minors do not have a right to privacy. Opponents say these policies could endanger already vulnerable students who should be able to decide when they want to come out to their parents.

Chino Valley Unified in San Bernardino County, Murrieta Valley Unified, and Temecula Valley Unified in Riverside County, in Orange County, in Anderson Union High School District in Shasta County, and Rocklin Unified and Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District in Placer County are among the districts that have passed parental notification policies.

California’s parental notification board policies have their origin in Assembly Bill 1314, proposed by Essayli, which was denied a committee hearing at the state Capitol last year. After that, Essayli, parents’ rights groups and attorneys wrote a model board policy for school boards.

On Monday, Essayli released a statement about the new law: “Today, Gov. Gavin Newsom defied parents’ constitutional and God-given right to raise their children by signing AB 1955 which codifies the government’s authority to keep secrets from parents,” he said. “AB 1955 endangers children by excluding parents from important matters impacting their child’s health and welfare at school. Governor Newsom signing AB 1955 is both immoral and unconstitutional, and we will challenge it in court to stop the government from keeping secrets from parents.”

Eight states have passed laws requiring school districts to inform parents if their children ask to use names or pronouns associated with another gender, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

LGBTQ rights threatened
School parental notification policies have impacted the mental health of LGBTQ students and can lead to bullying, harassment, and discrimination, according to a press release from Ward’s office.

“Politically motivated attacks on the rights, safety, and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, and other LGBTQ+ youth are on the rise nationwide, including in California,” said Ward, who introduced the legislation along with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.

“While some school districts have adopted policies to forcibly out students, the SAFETY Act ensures that discussions about gender identity remain a private matter within the family,” he said. “As a parent, I urge all parents to talk to their children, listen to them, and love them unconditionally for who they are.”

The California Teachers Association and its members have been major opponents of parental notification policies, saying that they drive a wedge between educators and students, and endanger already vulnerable students. Teachers working in districts with parental notification policies have worried they could lose their jobs if they do not comply with the district requirement or end up in court if they disobey federal and state laws and policies.

“This historic legislation will strengthen existing protections against forced outing and allow educators to continue to create a safe learning environment where all students feel accepted, nurtured, and encouraged to pursue their dreams,” said California Teachers Association President David Goldberg. “As educators, we are charged with providing a high-quality education to every student. No educator should experience retaliation or have their livelihood jeopardized for following the law and providing safe and supportive learning environments for our students.”

Policies spawn lawsuits
Attorney General Rob Bonta has said parental notification policies break California state law and violate students’ civil rights and their right to privacy. He issued warnings to districts and filed a lawsuit against Chino Valley Unified in San Bernardino County last year.

A lawsuit was also filed against Temecula Valley Unified by a coalition of students, teachers and parents who oppose the district’s parental notification policy, along with a policy that bans “critical race theory.”

California courts have had differing opinions. In San Diego, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez last year ruled that Escondido Union School District violated parents’ rights when it followed California state policy and allowed students to decide whether to tell their parents they identify as transgender.

In Sacramento earlier that year, U.S. District Judge John Mendez dismissed a lawsuit against Chico Unified. The suit claimed that district policies allowed school staff “to socially transition” students and prohibited staff from informing parents of the change. Mendez said students have a right to tell their parents about their gender and sexuality on their own terms.

The new law will also require districts to provide support or affinity groups and safe spaces for LGBTQ students; anti-bullying and harassment policies and complaint procedures; counseling services; anti-bias or other training to support LGBTQ students and their families; suicide prevention policies and procedures; and access to community-based organizations to support LGBTQ students as well as local physical and mental health providers with experience in treating and supporting families of LGBTQ youth.

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Chair Susan Eggman said the legislation reaffirms California’s position as a leader and safe haven for LGBTQ youth.

“I am also deeply grateful for all the parents, teachers, youth, LGBTQ+ leaders, and so many other groups who came together to support this bill,” Eggman said. “Their support reaffirmed what this caucus already knew: Safe and supportive schools for all our children should be our top priority. And at the end of the day, that’s what this bill does, ensures our K-12 campuses remain safe and affirming places for our youth no matter how they identify.”