Long Beach's Mayor Robert Garcia is one of the keynote speakers for the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night. He joins other speakers considered up and coming politicians to watch as the future of the Democratic Party.
It's an obvious time of pride for many of us living in the city of Long Beach, but it should also a major moment of pride for all of us in the LGBTQIA community as well.
Mayor Garcia is openly gay and has made LGBTQIA visibility and representation part of his mayoral platform in Long Beach. For example, I took the above photo at the rededication ceremony of the revamped and upgraded Harvey Milk Park. It was a beautiful and poignant moment. It meant so much to me as a gay man that grew up in the 80s in a small, religious, and often closed-minded town to see a mayor that ACTUALLY represents me as a member of the LGBTQIA community. Seeing the image of Harvey Milk and reading his words, "Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard." was a powerful reminder of the necessity of advocacy for what is good and right here in the United States and abroad.
In these uncertain times, it is imperative that we make our voices heard louder and clearer than ever. One sure way to make that happen is through voting. By exercising your right to vote, you are committing the original and most powerful protest. It allows you to make change and have access to the power that has historically been reserved for the most powerful of elites. In fact, your vote is so powerful and important that some Republicans will do anything to make it harder for you exercise your right to do so.
Covid-19 is still a concern for many communities and the U.S. Post Office is under attack in an attempt to derail mail in voting (which has been used in many states safely and effectively for years) so if you plan on utilizing Mail-in-Voting - VOTE EARLY!!! VOTE EARLY!!!
V O T E E A R L Y!!!!! TO MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE GET'S COUNTED!!!
OR......You can also get a mail in ballot and bring it directly to an OFFICIAL (Make sure it's official) local, drop off location in many states making a safer for communities impacted by
COVID-19 to cast their vote with minimal contact and observing social distancing protocol.
If you would like to register to vote, or more information about registering to vote, head to the link below! Finally, to quote Harvey Milk one more time, "Hope will never be silent". Make sure hope isn't silenced this election season and that your voice is heard! Get out there and vote!
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