Short weeks before the midterms, 32 House Republicans have co-sponsored a federal “Don’t Say Gay” law. 

Introduced by Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, the bill would cut federal funding to libraries, school districts, hospitals, government entities, and more for “hosting or promoting any program, event, or literature involving sexually-oriented material.” 

This is another way of saying that if we can’t ban or burn enough books in school libraries — if we can’t pack school boards with “Patriots” and “Christians” who portray all mention of trans people, drag queens, lesbians, gays, and women’s right to control their own bodies as an assault on human decency — we can control knowledge, thought, and freedom by anti-democratic legislation.

Lines have been drawn, and they are not merely rhetorical. With increasing frequency, rhetoric is accompanied by death threats, gun waving, physical assault, and prejudicial action by the courts. You already know what’s happened to Roe vs. Wade.

If you are inclined to vote Republican because you believe that the party of tax breaks for the rich will somehow better your economic situation, please realize that a vote for the Republican Party is a vote against the rights and freedoms of your lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer neighbors. It’s an equal assault against the right of women to control their own bodies and destinies. It’s a direct assault on my marriage to my husband.

As you approach your ballot, I ask you to think about the human consequences of your check mark. Please vote for those candidates who take to heart the rights, liberties. and freedoms of all people, including women, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and those of diverse religious and spiritual beliefs.

To candidates who say, “I support LGBTQ rights but I’m a Republican because I’m a fiscal conservative,” let’s be honest. You’ve allied with the party whose vast majority of candidates for major office falsely claim that the Presidential election was stolen, and who increasingly polarize their followers against LGBTQ people, liberals, and far more. 

There is nothing conservative about allying with a party whose leadership supports delusion and division over facts and reason.

Jason Victor Serinus
PORT TOWNSEND