September 25th is National Voter Registration Day and GLAAD has partnered with HeadCount to make it easier for everyone to register to vote!
Every year, LGBT people have the power to effect change, from our local communities to Washington, D.C. We have the power to elect the people who will help make it safer for us to walk the streets of our communities, or ensure that we, like everyone else, have the same opportunity to provide for our families and have equal access to health care. We have the power to make our voices heard.
It’s important for the LGBT community and our supporters to VOTE.
Registering to vote takes only a few minutes. But every year, millions of Americans miss the deadlines or fail to register. Now is your chance to register or invite friends to register. Register now!
What obstacles does our community face to voting?
Under the revised voter ID laws, an estimated25,000 transgender Americans face being denied the right to vote, or having their vote thrown out, because of challenges with obtaining a correct ID. For more information, visit the National Center For Transgender Equality's (NCTE) resource, Voting While Trans.
Every day, countless LGBT students, seniors, people of color, those who are low income, and people with disabilities face challenges obtaining an identification for a variety of reasons, such as poverty, disability, or religious objection. As a result, these groups are more likely to face challanges trying to vote and are at risk of having their votes discounted.
Why is voting important to the LGBT community and our supporters?
There are four states with ballot initiatives this November that will affect the legal recognition of same-sex relationships (Maine, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington). At least four more states could face similar battles next year.
In 29 states it's legal to fire a person based on their sexual orientation.
Every year hundreds of LGBT families are torn apart because of challenges with immigration statuses.
In 2012, gay and bisexual men and transgender women of color are more likely than their white counterparts to become infected with HIV/AIDS. And despite this information about these groups being at-risk, funding for programs continue to be cut.