The National LGBTQ Task Force is thrilled to partner with OutVote, an organization focused on empowering queer and Gen-Z voices in the electoral process. This exciting collaboration combines our advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights with OutVote’s innovative approach to voter mobilization, making it easier than ever for young LGBTQ+ individuals to get involved, stay informed, and make their voices heard at the polls. The article below is guest written by OutVote’s Director of Coalitions and Outreach, Jo Lew.
As a queer Asian American from the South, I was made to believe that I didn’t deserve to take up space. I was scared of my identities and what it meant to be a gay Asian in the Bible belt: how do I survive in this space, let alone thrive? As I got older, I realized that I wasn’t going to blend in with the people around me and that being true to myself was the only way I could survive in this world. In this, I learned the lesson of authenticity: your greatest superpower is unequivocally being yourself, even in the face of adversity.
To my fellow queer Asians (or my Gaysians, if you will), take up space. Your voice matters. Your presence matters. Your power matters. You matter. Many Asian people are taught to be easy-going: “I know things are hard, but just stay silent, put your head down, and keep moving towards your goals.” To that I say absolutely not. I say stand up and stand out. Your strength comes from your advocacy, passions, drive, and voice: be true to who you are and stand proudly for what you believe in, even if it means disrupting the peace that we have falsely built around us. Be steadfast in your pursuits for justice, representation, equality, and love. Build the life that the little version of you wishes they got to experience growing up.
Many of us are the first in our families to come out as queer and that experience can be terrifying and isolating. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are valid in your queerness and your Asianness: you are a beautiful blend of all the best parts of our families, cultures, and communities. Stand strong and live for yourself because at the end of the day, we are all stuck with the person we see in the mirror for the rest of our lives. Be proud of who you are and share that with others because someone is looking for an inspiration who looks and sounds just like you.
You have the power to change the narrative for yourself and for others. The question is will you be brave enough to step up to the occasion? I challenge you to step out into the light and use your voice to shape a brighter future. This year, I implore you to be brave and defend LGBTQIA+ rights at the ballot box. Our queer siblings across the country are under attack and electing representatives who stand with LGBTQIA+ communities is vital to securing safety for all in our country. Vote as a mechanism to ensure that our trans siblings can continue seeking the healthcare they deserve and our community can continue to be affirmed through marriage and legal documentation changes. Ensure that your voice is heard this year at the polls and fight for a better world for all of us. Your future is worth fighting for, so vote and make this election count.
ABOUT JO:
Jo (they/them) is an incoming Human Rights Studies M.A. candidate at Columbia University and a queer, API activist with experience in campus and community organizing in Texas. As a Southern Methodist University (SMU) graduate with degrees in human rights, political science, and public policy, Jo has dedicated their life to advocacy work and activism through work and education. They served in multiple leadership positions at SMU and created the “Queer Qollective”, a collection of projects aimed at increasing the well-being of LGBTQIA+ students, including housing, recordkeeping, and infrastructure policy. Additionally, Jo created and led organizations for SMU’s BIPOC and first-generation communities to increase sense of belonging for all students on campus, especially those who were historically underrepresented across the university. With a strong background in community building and activism, Jo is inspired to build bridges across communities and create a stronger, unified platform that advocates for all marginalized peoples.