LGBTQ issues will be center stage at this week's Democratic National Convention, whether in the speeches given by the speakers or at corollary events being held in Chicago. It will provide a stark contrast to the Republican's gathering last month when LGBTQ rights, particularly for transgender youth and adults, came under attack.
While gay Republicans ballyhooed being able to swipe mention of same-sex marriage bans from the GOP party platform, viewers of the gathering held in mid-July in Milwaukee were subjected to repeated transphobic comments. It included Republican nominee former President Donald Trump denouncing trans athletes in his stemwinder of an acceptance speech.
When she takes the podium Thursday night inside the United Center, Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to include mention of support for LGBTQ issues in her remarks. The former California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney has long been an ally to the LGBTQ community.
It is why her former municipal colleague gay San Francisco Treasurer-Tax Collector José Cisneros told the Bay Area Reporter he is still focused on the November 5 election even though he is running unopposed for a historic sixth term on the fall ballot and "honored" to continue to serve San Franciscans.
"But, I also want to make sure we all work as damn hard as we can to have a Democratic president during the same four years," said Cisneros, who was first appointed to his elected position 20 years ago.
The Democratic Party gathering kicks off Monday, August 19, and ends on the 22nd, with key events being the adoption of its platform and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz formally accepting his vice presidential nomination Wednesday. A roll call vote was already held virtually to confirm the Harris-Walz ticket and ensure it appeared on Ohio ballots, though Harris will formally accept her nomination Thursday night.
She took over the top of the ticket following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from seeking a second term the weekend after an assassin tried to kill Trump during a July 13 rally he held in Butler, Pennsylvania. It followed Biden's faltering performance at their debate in late June, which resulted in a concerted effort by his party's congressional leaders to push him out as their nominee this year.
Since then, Harris has reinvigorated Democratic Party activists, leaders, and voters, drawing record crowds to her rallies with Walz. She is now leading Trump in polls of several swing states seen as key to winning the electoral votes needed to clinch the race and become the country's first female, first Black woman, and first Southeast Asian president, as Harris' mother is from Tamil Nadu, India.
"Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent the heart of our nation because they know that when we treat others with care and respect, we only stand to gain. They stand in stark contrast to Donald Trump and JD Vance, who are defined by how they put others down," wrote Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) in a recent fundraising email for the Harris for President campaign. "This is a team ready to use their extensive legislative backgrounds and human touch to hit the ground running to address our most urgent issues and lift up all the folks in this big, diverse country. The work won't be easy, but VP Harris and Tim Walz are ready to lead a more united and, dare I say, hopeful America."
The Human Rights Campaign estimates there are now a record 75 million Equality Voters across the U.S. Including both LGBTQ and straight allies, these voters are seen as key to ensuring the Democratic ticket wins in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
It is to be the focus of a panel discussion the national LGBTQ rights group is co-hosting Monday afternoon in Chicago featuring a number of LGBTQ leaders. It is just one of several gatherings coinciding with the DNC where LGBTQ speakers are on the agenda.
Tuesday, gay Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis will be having a fireside chat with Progressive Policy Institute President Will Marshall at an event the public policy think tank is hosting. The overriding focus of it is on how Polis' party can regain "the allegiance of working-class Americans."
"With a proven Governor on Kamala Harris's ticket, the path to victory is now even brighter," Polis, chair of the National Governors Association, wrote on X earlier this month when the Harris-Walz ticket was announced. "My friend Tim Walz is a strong governor who has delivered results, fought to protect and expand our freedom, and has a shared vision to help build a better future."
Like his gubernatorial counterpart Walz, who coined the "weird" attacks against Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Congressmember JD Vance of Ohio, Polis has also taken to social media to troll the Republican ticket. Of late, Polis has zeroed in on the crowd size differences at Trump and Harris campaign rallies.
A̶r̶t̶i̶f̶i̶c̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶l̶l̶i̶g̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶ REAL PEOPLE are incredibly enthusiastic about Harris/Walz. We're putting all these pictures out to keep the guy running against her (can't remember his name-guy with the orange complexion) thinking about crowd size rather than... pic.twitter.com/e0r7TcunFZ
— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) August 10, 2024
"REAL PEOPLE are incredibly enthusiastic about Harris/Walz. We're putting all these pictures out to keep the guy running against her (can't remember his name — guy with the orange complexion) thinking about crowd size rather than winning the election," wrote Polis in one post on X.
Lesbian Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey will be among the featured speakers of what the DNC has dubbed its "DemPalooza" in the McCormick Place Convention Center, which is also hosting DNC events. It entails a slate of trainings, panels, and other programming taking place all four days of the convention.
"DemPalooza is a reflection of our values as Democrats — of, by, and for the people," stated DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. "We are bringing together thought leaders, advocates, grassroots supporters, and every day Americans who want to get involved in our democratic process ahead of the most consequential election of our lifetime."
For information about the DNC and how to watch it live, visit the convention's website.
Keep abreast of the latest LGBTQ political news by following the Political Notebook on Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@matthewbajko.
Got a tip on LGBTQ politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 829-8836 or e-mail [email protected]
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay -- Donate today!