Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
What you can do before the ballot box to protect queer rights in Michigan and beyond
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected officials gathered at Affirmations in Ferndale to mark the launch of the national Out for Biden-Harris program, which aims to mobilize LGBTQ+ voters, communities and leaders across the country.
Participants like Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, state Sen. Jeremy Moss and state Rep. Jason Morgan spoke about Biden’s accomplishments in office and warned against a second Trump term, which several speakers said could quickly dismantle the progress made by President Biden and Vice President Harris and Michigan’s Democrat-led legislature.
In a campaign video about Out for Biden-Harris, Vice President Harris said, “We will do what we have always done in this movement, in this community, which is collectively, we will continue to build unity. We will continue to build a coalition. We will always be fueled by knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us. We will be fueled by knowing we are all in this together.”
“Reelecting Donald Trump would be a disaster for the LGBTQ+ community. If you look at his record, and what he did, and how it affected people with Michigan, we cannot go back,” said Coulter at the event. “We have a champion in President Biden and Vice President Harris, and we need them in Washington to continue to work … they're [also] working every day to make sure that LGBTQ+ people can live their authentic lives and be themselves in every environment and every community. … That is the difference between this administration and the previous.”
“LGBTQ+ voters are becoming one of the largest voting blocks in America. And in a state like Michigan, our voting power is undeniable,” said Moss. “And in 2024, we are not going to let Donald Trump and his MAGA allies create a dystopian world where we can't be who we are, live our authentic lives and marry who we want to.”
“Donald Trump and his allies want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, rip away gender-affirming care, and encourage dangerous rhetoric against LGBTQ+ Michiganders and Americans…” said Morgan. “As someone who married the love of my life six months ago, now, in a state where same-sex marriage is still in the woods, this is personal. We are not going to let Donald Trump turn back the clock in our lives. We are fired up; we are ready to turn out the vote for President Biden and Vice President Harris.”
Roland Leggett, chair of the Michigan Democratic LGBT and Allies Caucus, said he is excited that Out for Biden-Harris chose Affirmations for the launch. “It's hardly a ‘launch’ though, as the Biden-Harris administration has been the most progressive in terms of policy and practice when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. I'm ready to get to work and talk to voters about why President Biden and Vice President Harris are the best and only choice for our community at the top of the ticket this year.”
Ready or not, the time has come for all queer Michiganders and allies to protect the rights we’ve won and to strengthen LGBTQ+ representation in the state house. Leggett shared some tips for how anyone can get involved in the 2024 election, from knocking on voters’ doors to important things you can do from the comfort of home.
1. Find Out What’s on Your Ballot
One of the simplest ways to jump in is to become an informed voter. When you know who is running for office and are up to speed on any ballot initiatives you’ll encounter in the fall, you can make informed decisions and help get the word out to fellow community members. An informed electorate is a stronger electorate. Leggett suggests checking the Michigan Voter Information Services website as well as local county clerk websites:
2. Sign Up to Protect Election Integrity
“Election protection is hugely important,” Leggett says. “We’re talking about empowering people to vote safely, freely and fairly.” Any voter in Michigan can sign up to be an Election Day poll worker, also known as an election inspector. Poll workers set up polling locations, help guide voters through the voting process and ensure state and federal laws are followed. Leggett suggests signing up early so you can make plans for the required training. Bonus: Many poll worker roles are paid positions!
Visit the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) website (michigan.gov/sos/elections/pollworker#BecomeAPollWorker) to sign up to become a poll worker. The SOS will forward your information to your local county clerk’s office.
3. Put Your Money (or Your Free Time) Where Your Mouth Is
Once you’ve identified causes and candidates you care about, consider making a donation. “Even five dollars to a local candidate like a city board or school board candidate can make a huge difference,” Leggett says. If you’ve been following Pride Source coverage of what can happen when activist right-wingers take over school boards and county commissions, you know exactly how important those races can be.
Don’t have extra cash to donate? Campaigns are happy to take your donation of time and effort, too. “If you don’t have that five bucks, your time is incredibly valuable,” Leggett says. “Working a phone bank shift or knocking on doors for an afternoon is incredibly helpful, and it’s an easy entry point for people to connect to candidates.”
4. Run for Something
Leggett notes that many people who could be effective political leaders feel intimidated by the idea of running for local office, but in fact, there are many resources available to help people run. “We need you in leadership, and the barriers you may assume are there… aren’t necessarily there. And when they are, we have resources to help get around them,” he says.
One place to start is the Run for Something website, where you can find information about local, progressive candidates and learn how to run for local office yourself. The non-profit org walks potential candidates through the process of identifying the right position, understanding campaign finances, and handling the red tape. No one knows your community better than you — why not throw your hat in the ring?
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