The Election: Resources to Move Forward

Earlier this week, former president and convicted felon Donald J. Trump was elected over Vice President Kamala Harris as the 47th president of the United States of America. Coming in with 295 electoral votes to Harris’ 226 (Nevada is still not accounted for), his victory was projected around 1 a.m. MST on Wednesday, November 6. Additionally, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have been flipped red this election cycle.

In light of this election and following an incredibly tight race, pretty much any demographic that isn’t straight white men has begun to fear the worst come Inauguration Day. Women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and BIPoC rights are all up in the air now; bodily autonomy and the privilege of being viewed as somewhat equal citizens for any of these groups are in jeopardy under the Trump administration.

The argument of “we did four years once; we can do it again” holds little hope, due to a recent Supreme Court decision that allows a sitting president to virtually have free reign and immunity from the law, as long as their actions are considered “official.” Putting an individual such as Trump in office under this new precedent when he has been linked to sexual assault, rape, fraud, treason, insurrection, and myriad other crimes is horrifying. Additionally, his campaign included statements that were anti-women’s rights, anti-LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-BIPoC in general.

There is reason to fear—There is no doubt about that. It’s alright to grieve, to rage, to scream at the sky, to spend several days in bed watching cartoons (like this author has done). However, there is also reason to hope. Vice President Harris said in her concession speech on Wednesday afternoon, “It is OK to feel sad and disappointed. But please know, it’s gonna be OK. On the campaign, I would often say, ‘When we fight, we win,’ but here’s the thing … Sometimes the fight takes awhile. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is, don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place.” So, in light of that sentiment, here is how we as a community move forward. It is important that we move forward and fortify ourselves for the next four years.

Here are some resources for how we can help one another and watch out for ourselves. It’s important to know where our safe spaces are in this time, and how to get help when we need it.

• Movement Advancement Project (MAP): Shows the current state of marriage/relationship recognition laws across the United States. Colorado voted YES on Amendment J, which will officially remove the ban on same-gemder marriage from the state constitution and make it so that in the event of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) being overturned, same-gender marriage will still be legal in Colorado, and our constitution will reflect that.
• Planned Parenthood of the Rockies: Following the passing of Amendment 79 (additional privacy for abortion patients, taxpayer funding for reproductive care) on the ballot this election and the semi-recent codifying of abortion right in the state of Colorado, abortion rights are more protected in this state than in many others. They also have a gender-affirming care program.
• The Trevor Project: The notorious organization dedicated to crisis intervention/suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ youth has received a drastic influx in calls since the election; they are here to help if you’re having any thoughts of harming yourself or others.
• The LGBT National Hotline: If you aren’t feeling harmful to yourself or others, and you just need someone to talk to about your thoughts following the election, the LGBT National Hotline and their Youth Hotline (25 and under) are available 24/7.
• One Colorado: A queer organization based out of Denver that will continue to work for rights for all LGBTQ+ citizens within the state of Colorado. You can support by donating or volunteering with them, if you have the emotional space and financial ability to do so at this time.

Other LGBTQ+ organizations can be found in the print edition of this month’s OFM for our November Nonprofit issue. See OFM’s official statement on Trump’s reelection here.