Take Pride in Action: LGBTQ+ Votes Matter This Crucial Election Year — Vote With Pride
State Senator J.D. Ford | He/Him/his
LGBTQ+ Pride Month has come to a close for 2024. After this important season of solidarity and celebration, as the parades and the festivals become memories and photographs, I urge my community to carry the energy we feel today forward into action. We are now faced with the approach of a critical and possibly defining election for American democracy — one in which the voice of the LGBTQ+ community can and should sound out proudly. Every vote counts, and our community makes its greatest impact when we unite and act together.
As the first, and so far only, openly LGBTQ+ state-level elected official in Indiana, I’ve seen the resilience and strength of our community in times of celebration as well as struggle. Both are reminders of the power we wield when we stand together. That unity in action must remain our focus as we prepare to vote in local, state, and national elections this November. LGBTQ+ participation in our country’s democratic project can be both a celebration of our progress and a critical act of resistance, vital for defending our rights and advancing equality for all. Pride Month may have ended, but that does not mean the end of LGBTQ+ visibility.
Representation is at the heart of democracy. It offers the promise for every voice to be heard and valued. It is undeniable that the LGBTQ+ community has achieved unprecedented levels of political power and acceptance in public life, and I’m proud to see more members of our community openly and proudly campaigning for office and for policies that benefit all Americans. At the same time, our community’s rights throughout the nation and in my own Hoosier State have faced nearly constant challenges over the last decade or more, with social conservatives frequently seeking to undermine, frustrate, and even reverse our collective progress. In this context, LGBTQ+ voting becomes a declaration of our presence and our determination to shape our own destiny — and our refusal to be taken for granted. We can, should, and must come together and refuse to be silenced or sidelined by the status quo.
The experience of the last few years in Indiana and states like it demonstrates a simple, hard truth: our fight for equality is far from over. In fact, the stakes have never been higher, as those who resent our progress seek to halt our efforts. In this election year and polarized political environment, queer communities across the country face renewed attacks, from discriminatory legislation –all too often targeting young trans people in particular — to the persistence of fearmongering and hateful rhetoric which “others” all of us. In this context, LGBTQ+ engagement with systems of power becomes an act of defiance: a powerful statement that we will not be intimidated or get complacent, and that our rights are non-negotiable.
Voting is the simplest and most accessible tool for that democratic engagement. Voting isn’t just a civic duty — it’s a transformative lever for social change, especially in this crucial election year. From the fight for marriage equality to advocating for inclusive nondiscrimination policies, our victories at every level have been hard-won through grassroots mobilization and person-to-person advocacy. It’s up to us to carry forward this legacy of progress by casting our ballots for candidates who proudly stand with us and advocate for laws and policies that reflect our community’s values and aspirations.
Celebrating Pride Month is and always will be an act of joyful protest. Now, the time has come for our LGBTQ+ community to gear up for the critical months ahead. We must remember the importance of engaging with politics — voting most of all. By working alongside other marginalized people and leveraging our collective, intersectional power at the ballot box, we can amplify our impact and challenge the systemic inequalities that burden all of us and hold our society back. Together, we can fight for policies and a broader politics that uplifts all individuals, no matter who we are, where we come from, and yes — no matter who we love. It’s not just about casting a ballot. It’s about honoring our past, shaping our future, and building a more just and inclusive society for all.
Senator J.D. Ford has represented District 29 in the Indiana Senate since 2018. LGBTQ+ Hoosiers can check their registration and view their ballots at indianavoters.in.gov. Voters nationwide can do the same using sites like www.vote411.org.
About the Series
- To check if you are able to vote, visit nass.org/can-I-vote
- To register to vote or to check your voter registration, visit vote.gov
- To find the location and time of polling sites near you, visit usa.gov/how-to-vote
In 2024, across the globe, more people are going to vote than ever before. It is vital that you stay informed, and that, when the time comes you vote. The Vote With Pride series aims to motivate people, especially young queer people, to take their life into their own hands this year by casting a ballot.
