Aside from petty debates ending with Google search results in my favor, I’m not generally a fan of saying “I told you so.” There’s rarely a benefit to it and it certainly doesn’t change any minds.
That’s not to say it can’t also be rewarding, of course, particularly for marginalized communities like our own. LGBTQ voices are far too often minimized and deserve to be heard – and when they aren’t, acknowledging we spoke up in the first place can be a validating process. Even if we’re the only ones who hear it.
The election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is a recent, high-profile example of that. It’s been nearly a month since they were sworn into office, but my gratitude that the nation chose to Build Back Better knows few bounds.
I have yet to stop talking about it to anyone who will listen, writing about it for anyone who will read or just dwelling on it at length in general. The results made me refreshingly proud of our country, as imperfect as it remains, but also even prouder of our community.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, 83% of LGBTQ voters supported the Biden-Harris ticket at the ballot or mailbox. The nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization’s findings were also mirrored by GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy group.
The organization found that 93% of LGBTQ voters turned out last year, with 81% of them backing Biden and Harris. 25% of them were also first-time voters, focused on the federal response to COVID-19, health care, racial justice and LGBTQ equality – just a sampling of critical issues neglected or ignored entirely by Donald Trump and his administration.
Exit polling continues to show that LGBTQ voters played a key role in his defeat. While it’s worth noting that the LGBTQ community isn’t of one mind on any issue – when it came to that man, by and large we told this country so.
Prior to his 2016 win in the Electoral College, throughout the 17 years of his first term and well into his failed coup to secure another, we knew he was incapable of moving this country forward. Even more than a blending brush, the former president needed compassion, empathy and kindness – qualities he was too uncaring, unfit and un-American at his core to develop.
Even more importantly, however, is the fact that LGBTQ voters were right about Biden and his commitment to equality. Just hours after taking his Oath of Office Jan. 20, the president signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prevent and combat LGBTQ discrimination.
While there’s no doubt that every member of the LGBTQ community felt the harmful effects of his presidential predecessor to varying degrees, our trans siblings undeniably felt the brunt of it. He attacked them at every turn in education, employment, health care, housing, human services and even in their desire to serve this country. That’s why it was so critical that within five days, Biden signed another executive order and repealed Trump’s discriminatory transgender military ban.
Despite the constant barrage of federal attacks, which undoubtedly trickled down into state legislatures across the country like Florida’s, members of the transgender community remained resilient. Their work to secure their rights began before Trump’s presidency and continues after it, something we examine at length in this issue.
Jiyah Bolden, Shea Cutliff, Naomi Wright and Mulan Williams, four transgender women in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, detail how they’re seeking equity and equality in the nonprofit world and workplace. They hope not only to empower themselves but to empower others do so the same.
In Tampa Bay news, a Tampa General Hospital nurse manager makes history. Hometown hero Suzie Dorner shares why she chose to showcase her Pride during Super Bowl LV as an honorary captain during the big game. St. Petersburg City Councilmember Darden Rice also receives the coveted endorsement of the LGBTQ Victory Fund in her race to become the city’s next mayor.
In Central Florida, soon-to-be superstar Aidan goes adorably viral at Hamburger Mary’s Orlando. In State News, we detail how Biden’s commitment to equality has already impacted Floridians.
New York Times-bestselling author Robert Jones, Jr. joins us in Arts in Entertainment. He discusses cultivating community through his site “Son of Baldwin” and “The Prophets,” his debut novel about two enslaved men in love. Central Florida’s Theater West End also examines the final days of Judy Garland in “End of the Rainbow.”
Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue.
