LGBT Detroit has announced the launch of LGBT Detroit Mobilization, a new 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization aimed at endorsing candidates that support protections and rights for individuals regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
LGBT Detroit Mobilization, with support from the For Our Future Action Fund and the Voter Movement Project, plans to organize the political interests of LGBT individuals and allies in the city of Detroit. The new organization's intent is to activate non-regular LGBTQ voters, conduct voter educational forums and identify local candidates and issues important to LGBT Detroiters.
"By promoting and defining local LGBT issues for candidates, elected officials and the general public, the non-profit will send comprehensive endorsement questionnaires to candidates on all local, state and federal levels with the interest of educating them on issues that impact the community," said LGBT Detroit Mobilization board treasurer Antonio Johnson-Seals.
LGBT Detroit Mobilization board secretary Michael Gilmore elaborated.
"Through mobilizing our constituency via issue-based outreach, LGBT Detroit Mobilization will use grassroots lobbying, digital and direct email campaigning where important dates, voting locations and candidate endorsements are announced," he said.
As soon as stay at home restrictions are lifted, LGBT Detroit Mobilization plans to begin organizing public town hall meetings and issue-based political forums in advance of the November 2020 election cycle.
"These town hall meetings and forums are a chance to ask questions and voice major concerns for those specifically in the Detroit area," said Anthony Martinez, program coordinator for LGBT Detroit Mobilization.
For now, the group is hosting a virtual town hall discussion via Zoom, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. The hour-long webinar will cover topics such as new legislation, volunteer recruitment, organizing strategies and the Get Out The Vote campaign.
For information on the discussion and for volunteer opportunities contact Anthony Martinez at [email protected] or visit LGBTDetroitMobilization.org.
