COMMUNITY GROUPS

Be out on Election Day

by Jeff Redfield

Columbus-As Election Day draws near, I want to send one message: "Get the Vote Out." Since Stonewall Columbus can not do any partisan work as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, I thought it best to focus on what that means.

First realize that the right-wing or Christian Coalition has blitzed the media. Figures show they are spending $140 million on preventing what they call "the gay agenda." Conservative leaders are expressing hatred and belittling remarks, in an effort to keep us down, keep us humbled, or keep us feeling so bad about ourselves that we won't go to the polls. These conservative views are trying to

keep us from being out

women in elected positions have hurt our community.

For example, just because a candidate is a woman does not mean that she will stand for women's rights, or gay rights for that matter. Great candidates today are both women and men and they can be found in both parties.

When voting for candidates, be aware of the responsibilities of the office they are pursuing. For example, the Ohio Attorney General could have stopped Cincinnati Issue 3. Did the current office holder do anything to prevent it? Which candidate would strive to protect and gain equal rights for the GLBT community?

On judicial candidates, look at past support and non-supportive decisions or

on Election Day. Little Stonewall Columbus efforts. Someone

do they know about the

power of Gay Pride.

We need to be out. We need to encourage everyone we know, friends and allies too, to be out on Election Day. Ten years ago, it was much easier to vote since only one party stood for gay civil rights. You pulled that party's lever and you usually were voting for the best candidates. Today, there are good and bad elected officials and candidates in both major political parties. Here are some things to think about:

1. Be out about elections-Besides just voting on Election Day, talk about the elections with friends and organizations. Go out and learn about candidates and the issues. Ask why you should or should not vote for someone. Informed voting is the best way to be out.

2. Help others to be out-We all have friends who may or may not vote. If you have any influence on them, now is the time to use it. Schedule an "Election Luncheon" on Tuesday, November 3 with friends. Ask them to schedule it longer than normal, then eat quickly and take them out to vote right away. The same can be done with a breakfast or dinner!

The conservatives have been trying to keep us away from the polls. Do everything you can to help people go out to the polls. Apathy can really hurt us this election year.

3. Be out for electing good candidates— Be sure to explore and know more about the candidates running. There are great women and men candidates for state offices. Recent votes or lack of action by some men and

who fought for our rights and equality

as an attorney or as a member of an organization will continue that trend once she or he is elected.

4. Be out on the issues-Know the issues for our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and ally community. Be ready to vote and be out.

Being out means voting for candidates who will look out for our community through initiating legislation that protects us against discrimination and that assures us of equal rights. Being out means voting for candidates who will stop and speak out against antigay legislation or policy. Being out means voting for candidates who will work toward legislation and policy that addresses our community's health concerns including HIV and AIDS, breast cancer and more. I encourage you to take these last few weeks to get beyond the propaganda. Don't just believe the TV commercials—they just try to make the others look bad and themselves to look flawless.

Take the time to review the endorsements of organizations that are fighting for your rights. At the Stonewall Columbus Center, 1160 North High, we have voter guides from Equality Ohio and other political action groups. Use whatever information you can to be out and voting on November 3.

Jeff Redfield is the executive director of Stonewall Columbus

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