Above from left: Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD; Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality; Annise Parker, former Mayor of Houston and President and CEO of The LGBTQ Victory Fund; and Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood Action Fund President

In the final weeks leading to Election Day (November 8!) as voters are casting ballots in early voting and mail-in voting, GLAAD is launching the “Vote with Pride” video series to discuss the critically important issues at stake in the midterm elections, ensure LGBTQ voices are in the national campaign conversation, and urge LGBTQ and ally voters to the polls. The series features conversations between LGBTQ artists and advocates across the diverse spectrum of the LGBTQ community and with LGBTQ leaders.

The “Vote with Pride” series rolls out on GLAAD’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels, with each conversation focusing on key issues of the midterm elections for LGBTQ and ally voters, including marriage equality, abortion access, healthcare, economic equality, the freedom to read amid efforts to ban LGBTQ-inclusive books, and the freedom to vote.

The series kicks off today with out actor, activist and producer Wilson Cruz in conversation with Voto Latino’s President and CEO Maria Teresa Kumar about the power of the LGBTQ and Latine vote. VIEW/EMBED LINK HERE: https://youtu.be/wTa0nBHfVt4

Wilson Cruz: Are we reaching everyone we need to in order to exercise that power right now?

Maria Teresa Kumar: Young Latinos have so much power and agency within their families, because oftentimes they are the ones translating cultural norms. We need to make sure they are emboldened and recognize that power. I call it innate leadership. I do not have to convince a young person that LGBTQ issues are important, or convince them about a woman’s right to choose, that we’re in a climate crisis. I need them to connect the dots and vote for leadership that will change their lives. 68% of Latinos believe abortion is a private issue and not the government’s business – that’s including men in ruby red states; if you talk to young people it’s closer to 80-90%, just to Latina women, it’s 75%. Why? Latinas are often breadwinners. They’re the ones who have to make these tough decisions: do I expand my family? Do I drop out of school or do I pursue my career? You should be exercising your power because they see your power.”

Upcoming conversations include actor and director Billy Porter and Rashad Robinson from Color of Change, GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis with Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson; Family Equality’s new CEO Stacey Stephenson; former Mayor of Houston and current President and CEO of The LGBTQ Victory Fund, Annise Parker, on the record number of out LGBTQ candidates and in elected office, and honorees from GLAAD’s 20 Under 20 Class of 2022 – LGBTQ youth who are working to increase visibility, safety and success for youth across America- a conversation featured on Teen Vogue’s platforms as well.

Additional research:

• 9 million LGBTQ adults are registered to vote
• 22% of registered LGBTQ voters are Latino
• Top issues for LGBTQ voters according to a GLAAD February 2022 poll are COVID response (32%), jobs and the economy (28%), healthcare (25%), the environment (23%), inflation (19%), racial justice (18%), voting rights (15%) and LGBTQ equality (11%) .
• A GLAAD poll in July of Florida LGBTQ and ally voters shows their top issues include restoring abortion access (47%), gun safety reform (31%), inflation (22%), housing costs (22%) and LGBTQ equality (19%).
• LGBTQ voters are expected to be 14% of the eligible voting population by 2030, according to a recent analysis of population data.

About GLAAD: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

About Voto Latino: Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs and authentic voices, we shepherd the Latinx community towards full realization of its political power. In our 18-year history, we’ve been at the forefront of political, cultural, digital trends for organizing and activating Latinxs.