Vote early and tell your friends to do it too! Not only in the upcoming California primary, but, critically, in November.
California has a pretty good voting system, but this is not the case in many states. Whether you are in California or elsewhere, it is essential that we all vote. Make sure to vote in person before Election Day, because several states have changed their rules and you may find large lines to vote in certain districts on Election Day. Or you may find that you have been purged from the voter list. By voting in person you ensure that your vote is accepted or you can attempt to resolve any issues.
Many people vote for the lesser of two evils. This year the evils will probably be Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. In this election, the issue is not who is the lesser evil but the fact that Trump is simply not qualified to be president. Leaders of his party have stated that Trump is a pathological liar, utterly amoral, a bully, a phony, a fraud, a con artist, and wholly unprepared to be president of the United States.
For the LGBT community, Bully Donald is dangerous because he has repeatedly stated that he opposes marriage equality, that he would appoint conservative judges like the late Antonin Scalia to the Supreme Court, and that he would repeal President Barack Obama's non-discrimination executive orders. Furthermore, others would undoubtedly imitate his bullying techniques.
Can Showman Donald win the presidential election? Certainly. Here's how.
First, the Republican convention in July will be a fabulous show. It will be unconventional and entertaining and have the best ratings of any convention. It will energize the voters like never before. All of this while the Democrats may have a contentious convention if Clinton and Bernie Sanders do not join camps.
Second, Demagogue Donald has a much better campaign slogan ("Make America Great Again") than any of Clinton's ("Hillary for America" or "Ready for Hillary" or "Breaking Barriers") or Sanders ("A Future to Believe In" or "Feel the Bern"). Many people will fall for Trump's slogan and for his promises, despite that his policy proposals are based on unsubstantiated claims, are undoable, and are even damaging to our national security.
Third, Charlatan Donald can be an attractive candidate alluring voters by his aura of success (thought his fortune is not as vast as he claims, according to Forbes and others). His promises for the country are similar to his promises of wealth for students in his Trump "University." His ads read, "If You're Not a Millionaire by December 2008, You Didn't Attend My Foreclosure Workshop." How many of the attendees become millionaires? A charlatan with empty promises won't make America great. Each of us is America, and we make her great everyday by working hard, being creative, and helping others.
Fourth, the Republicans are more and more consolidated behind Trump, while the Democrats are still debating the role of super delegates (a replay of what happened eight years ago that Obama promised to fix). It hasn't been fixed, and now, is biting them again.
The election for president should not be about insiders versus outsiders; it should be about who is most experienced and qualified and who can do the best job from day one. We should not hand the most powerful job in the world to somebody who's had zero experience dealing with Congress, zero experience dealing with terrorists and managing foreign affairs, and zero experience handling the U.S. economy. Secretary of commerce? Fine. President of the United States of America? Come on. Have we lost our common sense?
In addition to voting for president, we also need to pay attention to the other elections. It is critical that the Democrats win the majority of the Senate (which is doable) and the House (much more difficult because of gerrymandering, but not impossible). In the Senate, at stake is the appointment of Scalia's replacement to the Supreme Court.
While at the state level California has made impressive gains for LGBT equality, this is not the case in the majority of states. In several states regressive legislation has been enacted by the Republicans, such as House Bill 2 in North Carolina. Not only does this law go against the Republican principle of not interfering with local government, but it creates the opposite effect of what it intended since it forces, for instance, a trans man with his beard to go in to the ladies bathroom. Furthermore, the law is difficult (if not impossible) to enforce and can encourage vigilantes, including violence against feminine-looking males and masculine-looking females. How does one prove his or her gender? A physical inspection on the spot, done by whom? Or are suspects taken to the hospital to get a medical diagnosis of male or female? In the meantime, can a vigilante detain you? Do you have to bring your birth certificate to go pee? Interestingly enough, this legislation would have not stopped former Republican Senator Larry Craig in his bathroom escapade at the Minneapolis airport.
Our progress has been remarkable. Our voices are strong. But it will remain strong only if it is exercised – and the best place to exercise it is at the ballot box – everywhere.
So, to preserve our gains in equality and to reach full equality, it is critical to vote. Better to vote early and in person. Tell your friends to do the same.
P.S. My book lists 10 other actions you can take in 2016 for LGBT equality.
Juan Ahonen-Jover, Ph.D., a Fulbright Fellow and Stanford graduate, is the author of the Gay Agenda series of books, now in its fifth year ( https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Agenda-2016-All-Fronts-ebook/dp/B01FCRUSCU?ie=UTF8&qid=1464616398&ref_=tmm_kin_swatch_0&sr=8-1).