Sunday, January 15, 2017

156 LGBT Elected Officials Call On President-elect to Advance LGBT Equality During His Presidency

Photo By Michael Vadon [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Today, Victory Institute commended LGBT elected officials representing millions of Americans from across the country for calling on President-elect Donald Trump to respect LGBT Americans and continue efforts to advance equality.
In an open letter to the President-elect, 156 elected officials express grave concerns about his Cabinet appointees, and implore Trump to “be a president for all Americans.” The letter is signed by U.S. Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney and Mark Pocan, as well as openly LGBT mayors, state legislators, city council members and other LGBT elected officials.

“These LGBT elected officials represent America at its best – diverse leaders who make the values of inclusion, fairness and justice the cornerstone of their policy positions and decision-making,” said Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, President & CEO of Victory Institute. “This letter urges the President-elect to govern by those core American values, and to put forward legislation and policies that improve quality of life for all Americans. They are using their collective voice to demand continued progress on equality, and to make clear they will oppose any efforts that threaten our rights or families.”

“LGBT elected officials are unified and promising to use their positions of power to drive equality at every level of government. This unprecedented solidarity aims to reassure our community – at a time when many are understandably concerned – that our issues remain a priority, and they will strategies new ways to work across jurisdictions to protect and expand our rights. Their commitment is a testament to the importance of LGBT elected officials, and we urge our community to bolster their ranks by running for office – to join them in showing Americans that public service remains an impactful and noble profession. Victory Institute will double-down on efforts to train the next generation of LGBT leaders in the coming months and years so we can increase representation and ensure our voices are heard.”

The full letter and signatories are included below. More than 40 LGBT elected officials began work on the open letter during a closed-door strategy session at Victory Institute’s International LGBT Leaders Conference in Washington, DC on December 8, 2016.

 Full text of open letter to President-elect Donald Trump:

January 13, 2017
President-elect Donald J. Trump
Trump-Pence Transition Team
1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20006


Dear President-elect Donald Trump:

Congratulations on being elected the 45th President of the United States. We are 156 proud lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elected officials representing millions of constituents, and we urge you to join us in embodying the highest ideals of our great and diverse nation.

The long and divisive presidential campaign is over, and now more than 300 million Americans depend on you to bring our nation together. To do this, we ask you deescalate the hostility and intolerance expressed by a small but vocal minority throughout the election season. We ask you appoint individuals with inclusive policy solutions that aim to better the lives of all Americans. And we ask you declare full support for LGBT equality, and remain true to earlier statements promising to be a president supportive of our rights.

We believe in an America that values and accepts everyone, and a country that strives to improve quality of life for all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. These principles are what distinguish America in an often-troubled world – they are what make America great. And it is the elected leadership of our nation that determines whether our government embodies or undermines those ideals. It is elected leaders like ourselves – from the U.S. president to city councilmembers – that either appeal to the better angels of our fellow Americans, or use fear and rancor to spur unproductive discord.

While we hope you appeal to those better angels and support inclusive and fair-minded policies, we have grave concerns given the individuals appointed to your administration thus far. Nearly all hold anti-LGBT views aimed at denying our community acceptance and inclusion in American society. Many proudly tout legislative records opposing basic rights for LGBT Americans, and others express disdain for our lives and relationships. Intended or not, these appointments signal a Trump administration preparing to rollback recent advances for LGBT people, and an administration opposed to LGBT people living open and free.

Our concern is not unfounded, given our historic gains are recent and vulnerable. Openly LGBT men and women can now proudly serve in the Armed Forces; committed same-sex couples can legally marry nationwide; federal contractors can no longer discriminate against LGBT employees or job applicants; the U.S. State Department is leading the world in advancing global LGBT equality; and more than 300 openly LGBT individuals were appointed to positions in the federal government over the past eight years. These hard-fought advances transformed our place in American society, and we are disturbed that most of your appointees opposed these efforts.

Mr. President-elect, our nation will be weaker if LGBT military personnel are prevented from serving openly and equally. America will be worse off if discrimination protections for LGBT government employees or students are revoked. The entire country will suffer if there is a national attempt to implement “religious exemptions” that allow businesses to turn away LGBT customers. And the world will be a darker place without America speaking against anti-LGBT violence and injustices abroad. We need you to vocally reject our country moving backward – to reject the anti-LGBT positions of your appointees and promise a pro-equality Trump administration.

We also must emphasize the LGBT community is as diverse as our nation. We are black, we are Latino, we are white, we are immigrants, we are Muslim, we are Jewish, we are women, and we are people with disabilities. LGBT elected officials know well the sting and consequences of discrimination, injustice and intolerance, and we carry that lived experience into our policy positions, legislation and decision-making. We hold central the American values of fairness, justice and liberty – and ensure these values are the foundation for our work as public servants. As the nation debates economic security, immigration, women’s rights, voting rights, policing, and mass incarceration, we ask you also apply the American values of fairness, justice and liberty, and ensure the best interests of all communities are incorporated into your policies and positions.

Americans of every political party, ideology, race, ethnicity and religion support LGBT equality – it does not need to be a partisan issue. As elected officials, we understand support for LGBT equality as both morally appropriate and politically shrewd. History looks fondly upon leaders who stand for social justice when those around them argue otherwise. History also views harshly those who fail to recognize and support morally righteous causes – and history will undoubtedly view LGBT equality as both moral and righteous.

We sincerely hope you aim to be a president for all Americans – including LGBT Americans of every race, ethnicity, gender and religion. As representatives of the LGBT community, we will hold your administration accountable for actions that infringe upon our rights and opportunities, and will oppose presidential appointees who denigrate or harm our community. But we much prefer to work with you to continue the incredible progress toward LGBT equality – to have you stand with us on the right side of history. We hope you voice your support for existing rights and protections for LGBT Americans, and commit to furthering LGBT equality during your presidency. We promise to be a strong and persistent voice for equality either way.
Sincerely,

Federal
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney
U.S. House of Representatives 

New York, Congressional District 18

Representative Mark Pocan
U.S. House of Representatives
Wisconsin, Congressional District 2


Alabama
Representative Patricia Todd
Alabama House of Representatives, District 54


Arizona
Representative Daniel Hernandez
Arizona House of Representatives, District 2


Representative Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete
Arizona House of Representatives, District 30


Lawrence Robinson
Governing Board Member
Roosevelt School Board


Karin Uhlich
Council member, Ward 3
Tucson City Council


Arkansas
Kathy Webb 
Vice Mayor
Little Rock City Board


California
Senator Toni Atkins
California State Senate, District 39


Jovanka Beckles
Council member
Richmond City Council


Kevin Beiser
Board Vice President
San Diego Unified School District


Sabrina Brennan
Commissioner
San Mateo County Harbor Commission


Mayor Christopher Cabaldon
West Sacramento


Adam Carranza
President
Mountain View Board of Education


Chris Clark
Council member
Mountain View City Council


John D’Amico
Council member
West Hollywood City Council


John Duran
Council member
West Hollywood City Council


Representative Susan Talamantes Eggman
California State Assembly, District 13


Joel Fajardo
Vice Mayor
San Fernando City Council


Ginny Foat
Council member
Palm Springs City Council


Larry Forester
Council member 

Signal Hill City Council

Mayor Robert Garcia
Long Beach


Assembly member Todd Gloria
California State Assembly, District 78


Georgette Gomez
Council member, District 9
San Diego City Council


Steve Hansen
Council member, District 4
Sacramento City Council


John Heilman
Mayor Pro Tem
West Hollywood City Council


Gabe Kearney
Council member
Petaluma City Council


Geoff Kors
Council member
Palm Springs City Council


Senator Ricardo Lara
California State Senate, District 33


Steven Llanusa
Vice President, Board of Education
Claremont Unified School District


Assembly member Evan Low
California State Assembly, District 28


Rafael Mandelman
Trustee
City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees


Alex Randolph
Member
City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees


Jeff Sheehy
Supervisor, District 8
San Francisco Board of Supervisors


Rene Spring
Council member
Morgan Hill City Council


Tom Temprano
Trustee
City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees


Wanden Treanor
Trustee 

Marin Community College District

Christopher Ward
Council member, District 3
San Diego City Council


Scott Wiener
California State Senate, District 11


Ken Yeager
Supervisor, District 4
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors


Colorado
Representative Joann Ginal
Colorado House of Representatives, District 52


Representative Leslie Herod
Colorado House of Representatives, District 8


Debra Johnson
Clerk and Recorder
Denver


Representative Paul Rosenthal
Colorado House of Representatives, District 49B


Robin Kniech
Council member, At-Large
Denver City Council


Gwen Lachelt
Vice Chair, County Commissioner, District 2
La Plata County Commission


Senator Dominick Moreno
Colorado State Senate, District 21


District of Columbia
Jack Jacobson
President, Ward 2
District of Columbia State Board of Education


Florida
Heather Carruthers
Commissioner, District 3
Monroe County Commission


Lesa Peerman
Commissioner
Margate City Commission


Representative David Richardson
Florida House of Representatives, District 113


Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith
Florida House of Representatives, District 49


Georgia
Representative Park Cannon
Georgia House of Representatives, District 58


Representative Karla Drenner
Georgia House of Representatives, District 85


Representative Sam Park
Georgia House of Representatives, District 101


Alex Wan
Council member, District 6
Atlanta City Council


Idaho
Representative John McCrostie
Idaho House of Representatives, District 16A


Illinois
James Cappleman
Alderman, Ward 46
Chicago City Council


Representative Kelly Cassidy
Illinois House of Representatives, District 14


Representative Gregory Harris
Illinois House of Representatives, District 13


Raymond Lopez
Alderman, Ward 15
Chicago City Council


Colette Lueck
Trustee
Oak Park Village Board


Deborah Mell
Alderman, Ward 33
Chicago City Council


Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
Alderman, Ward 35
Chicago City Council


Debra Shore
Commissioner
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago


Mark Tendam
Alderman, Ward 6
Evanston City Council


Thomas Tunney
Alderman, Ward 4
Chicago City Council


Iowa
Representative Liz Bennett
Iowa House of Representatives, District 65


Senator Matt McCoy
Iowa State Senate, District 21


Kansas
Mike Poppa
Council member, Ward 4
Roeland Park City Council


Maine
Senator Justin Chenette
Maine State Senate, District 31


Representative Ryan Fecteau
Maine House of Representatives, District 11


Representative Lois Reckitt
Maine House of Representatives, District 31


Representative Andrew McLean
Maine House of Representatives, District 27


Maryland
Delegate Luke Clippinger
Democratic Caucus Chair 

Maryland House of Delegates, District 46

Delegate Bonnie Cullison
Maryland House of Delegates, District 19


Delegate Anne Kaiser
Majority Leader
Maryland House of Delegates, District 14


Byron Macfarlane
Register of Wills
Howard County


Senator Richard Madaleno
Maryland State Senate, District 18


Delegate Maggie McIntosh
Maryland House of Delegates, District 43


Mayor Jeffrey Slavin
Somerset


Massachusetts
Senator Julian Cyr
Massachusetts Senate, Cape & Islands District


Jeremy Micah Denlea
Vice President, Ward 5
Attleboro Municipal Council


Eileen Duff
Councilor, District 5
Massachusetts Governor’s Council


Mayor Kevin Dumas
Attleboro


Representative Jack Patrick Lewis
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Middlesex District 7


Mayor Alex Morse
Holyoke


Mayor E. Denise Simmons
Cambridge


Michigan
Mayor Jim Carruthers
Traverse City


Mayor David Coulter
Ferndale


Mayor Amanda Maria Edmonds
Ypsilanti


Representative Jon Hoadley
Michigan House of Representatives, District 60


Brian McGrain
Commissioner, District 10
Ingham County Board of Commissioners


Jason Morgan
Commissioner, District 8
Washtenaw County Commission


Representative Jeremy Moss
Michigan House of Representatives, District 35


Richard Renner
Township Supervisor
Pioneer Township


Mayor Kenson J. Siver
Southfield


Minnesota
Representative Susan Allen
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 62B


Carol Becker
President
Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation


Representative Karen Clark
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 62A


Senator D. Scott Dibble
Minnesota State Senate, District 61


Representative Erin Maye Quade
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 57A


Missouri
Shane Cohn
Alderman, Ward 25
St. Louis Board of Alderman


Representative Randy Dunn
Missouri House of Representatives, District 23


Nebraska
Barbara Baier
Member, District 3
Lincoln Board of Education


Nevada
Representative Nelson Araujo
Nevada State Assembly, District 3


Senator David Parks
Nevada State Senate, District 7


New Hampshire
Mayor Dana Hilliard
Somersworth


Christopher Pappas
Councillor, District 4
New Hampshire Executive Council


New Jersey
Michael DeFusco
Councilman, Ward 1

Hoboken City Council

Assemblyman Tim Eustace
New Jersey General Assembly, District 38


Assemblyman Reed Gusciora
New Jersey General Assembly, District 15


Pamela Renee
Councilwoman
Borough of Neptune City Council


Edward Zipprich
Council member
Borough of Red Bank Council


New Mexico
Senator Jacob Candelaria
New Mexico State Senate, District 26


Mayor Javier Gonzales
Santa Fe


Linda Siegle
Governing Board Secretary
Santa Fe Community College Board of Trustees


Senator Liz Stefanics
New Mexico State Senate, District 39


New York
Assembly member Harry Bronson
New York State Assembly, District 138


Matt Haag
Council member, At-Large
Rochester City Council


Gregory Rabb
President, At-Large
Jamestown City Council


Michael Sabatino
Council member, District 3
Yonkers City Council


Assembly member Matthew Titone
New York State Assembly, District 61


North Carolina
Representative Cecil Brockman
North Carolina House of Representatives, District 60


Mayor Lydia Lavelle
Carrboro


LaWana Mayfield
Councilwoman, District 3 

Charlotte City Council

Damon Seils
Alderman
Carrboro Board of Aldermen


North Dakota
Representative Joshua Boschee
North Dakota House of Representatives, District 44


Ohio
Representative Nickie J. Antonio
House Minority Whip
Ohio House of Representatives, District 13


Sandra Kurt
Clerk of the Court
Summit County Clerk of Courts


Oregon
Representative Karin Power
Oregon House of Representatives, District 41


Pennsylvania
Mayor Matt Fetick
Kennett Square


Bruce A. Kraus
Councilman, District 3
Pittsburgh City Council


Robert Langley
Council member
Meadville City Council


Lori Schreiber
Commissioner, Ward 14
Abington Township Board of Commissioners


Representative Brian Sims
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 182


Tennessee
Chris Anderson
Council member, District 7
Chattanooga City Council


Nancy VanReece
Council member, District 8
Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County


Brett Withers
Council member, District 6
Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County


Texas
Representative Mary González
Texas House of Representatives, District 75


John Turner-McClelland
President, District 11-A 

Denton County Fresh Water Supply Board of Directors

Sheriff Lupe Valdez
Dallas County


Utah
Arlyn Bradshaw
Council member, District 1
Salt Lake County Council


Senator Jim Dabakis
Utah State Senate, District 2


Vermont
Representative Bill Lippert
Vermont House of Representatives, Chittenden-4-2 District


Virginia
Delegate Mark Levine
Virginia House of Delegates, District 45


Michael Sutphin
Council member
Blacksburg Town Council


Washington
Mayor Dave Kaplan
Des Moines


Senator Marko Liias
Washington State Senate, District 21


Representative Nicole Macri
Washington House of Representatives, District 43


Ryan Mello
Council member, At-Large Position 8
Tacoma City Council


Michael Scott
Councillor, Central Ward
Bainbridge Island City Council


West Virginia
Kevin Carden
Council member and Town Recorder
Corporation of Harpers Ferry


Wisconsin
Vered Meltzer
Alderperson, District 2
Appleton Common Council


Michael Verveer
Alder and Council President, District 4
Madison Common Council


Wyoming
Representative Cathy Connolly
Minority Floor Leader
Wyoming State House of Representatives, District 13


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