WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 — Supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Michigan's Traverse City, workers' rights in Ohio, women's reproductive freedom in Mississippi, and voters' rights in Maine were among those scoring big victories in the Nov. 8 election. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force assisted in many of these efforts. [Windy City Times will have more election news later today, including several big LGBT candidates victories.]
Victory in only LGBT ballot measure campaign this election
Residents of Traverse City, Mich., voted to retain the city's nondiscrimination ordinance, which includes explicit protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. According to local media reports, the city voted to keep the ordinance by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force provided staff and financial support leading to this victory. A team of Task Force organizers helped get out the vote in Traverse City, the nation's only LGBT-specific ballot campaign this Election Day. The Task Force worked with Traverse City Equality and sponsored aMichigan Power Summit with a phone-banking session specifically aimed at raising critical dollars to secure victory in Traverse City.
"The people of Traverse City have sent a clear message that they value their LGBT friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members and don't want to see them left vulnerable to discrimination. This victory creates a stronger and more welcoming city not only for LGBT people and their families, but for everyone. We were proud to have partnered with Traverse City Equality in the nation's only LGBT-specific ballot measure campaign this election. This is a victory for Traverse City and for our common humanity," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Mississippi "Personhood Amendment" fails
In one of the country's most highly watched contests, voters in Mississippi have rejected Initiative 26, which sought to amend the state Constitution to establish legal "personhood" at the moment of fertilization. If it had passed, Initiative 26 would have become the nation's most restrictive law against abortion and birth control.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force traveled to Jackson, Miss., to phone bank and stand in solidarity with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Mississippians for Healthy Families campaign.
"This is a victory for Mississippi and for all those who value women's lives and the right of people to make very personal — even life-saving — decisions about their own bodies free of unwarranted government intrusion," said Carey. "Initiative 26 would only have served to hurt women and their families, not help. As a staunch supporter of reproductive freedom, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force stands in solidarity with the women of Mississippi and our organizational partners fighting to protect women's rights and lives."
Victory for voters' rights in Maine and union rights in Ohio
Mainers voted to overturn a new Republican law that restricted voters' rights by ending same-day registration in the state. For nearly four decades, eligible Mainers have been able to register and vote on Election Day, but in June the GOP-controlled state Legislature voted to overturn the law. Then, a coalition of progressive organizations, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's local partner EqualityMaine, launched a People's Veto campaign to restore same-day voter registration, gathering the required petition signatures in a record-breaking four weeks.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been in Maine working with the Protect Maine Votes campaign and assisting in the push to get out the vote.
"We were proud to join with Mainers from all walks of life who refused to be stripped of their essential voice in government," said Carey. "We should be making it easier, not harder, for people to participate in this most fundamental American act. Mainers sent the message, loud and clear, with their votes today."
In Ohio, meanwhile, supporters of workers' rights scored a big victory with the repeal a Republican-backed law limiting collective bargaining rights for public employees. Ohioans overwhelmingly voted to repeal the law. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a longtime ally of labor, applauds the outcome.
Win in Iowa
Iowa Democrat Liz Mathis won in Iowa's 18th District state Senate race. With this win, Democrats will maintain a majority in the state Senate, where the leadership has halted the process for seeking an anti-marriage constitutional amendment in that state. Marriage equality was achieved in Iowa by a state Supreme Court decision in 2009.
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org
and follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce.
And from the Human Rights Campaign:
Marriage Equality Safe in Iowa with Liz Mathis Win
HRC-Endorsed Pro-Equality Candidate Wins Race
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign hailed Liz Mathis' victory over Cindy Golding in the Iowa SD 18 special election. HRC endorsed Liz Mathis, a pro-equality candidate, after Governor Terry Branstad, a Republican, appointed Democratic state Senator Swati Dandekar to the Iowa Utilities Board, putting in jeopardy the Democratic majority in the state Senate.
HRC contributed to Liz Mathis' victory by placing five full-time field organizers in the 18th Senate District during the final weeks of the campaign. These organizers performed campaign duties for the state Democratic Party in addition to mobilizing HRC members and supporters to volunteer and vote in the special election.
"The marriage issue is settled, voters clearly care about issues directly affecting their everyday lives," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Today's election serves as a message that it's time to get on with the people's business."
Earlier this year the Iowa House passed a bill to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment abolishing marriage equality. The Democratic-controlled Senate blocked the bill from coming up in the state Senate, keeping marriage equality safe in the Hawkeye state.
In other election news, Virginia state Representative Adam Ebbin will become Virginia's first openly-gay state Senator after winning his bid for the Commonwealth's 30th Senate District.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
