Approximately 4.5% of the U.S. population—just under 16 million people—identify as LGBTQ. Far from a monolithic voting bloc, nearly 40% of LGBTQ persons identify as Latino/a, African-American/Black, and multiracial/other. Registered LGBTQ voters on average tend to be younger than their non-LGBTQ counterparts, with one-half identifying as Democrats, 15% as Republicans and 22% as independents. The only uniform trend among LGBTQ voters is their low turnout at the polls. Nearly 1 in 5 eligible LGBTQ persons are not registered to vote, and less than one-half of eligible LGBTQ voters participated in the 2016 election.
The campaign will familiarize the LGBTQ community with each presidential candidate’s stance on LGBTQ health-related issues. These issues include:
- Vote for Access to Health Care
- Vote for Ending the HIV Epidemic & HIV Stigmatization
- Vote for Protections Against LGBTQ Discrimination
- Vote for Justice and Equality
- Vote for Transgender Rights
- Vote for Civil Rights
- Vote for Protections against Assault and Harassment
Details on these issues are provided in the Campaign's LGBTQ Health Issues Guide, available here.
The campaign will reach hundreds of LGBTQ organizations nationwide, providing them with a social media toolkit to use in educating the public about LGBTQ health issues and concerns. The Coalition's website also will feature details on voter registration, voting statistics and related content.
LGBTQ Health Issues Guide and Resources
The National Coalition for LGBT Health has created a comprehensive VOTE for LGBTQ Health! Toolkit. Available on its website, the Toolkit features an LGBTQ Health Issues Guide, which describes issues of concern for the LGBTQ community and the candidates' stance on each. The Guide is supplemented by a Voting and Social Media Resources page, which offers logistical voting information and sample social media posts, including images, editable text, and Facebook frames.
Voter Registration Information
To check your state’s voter registration deadline, visit Vote.org. Please note that deadlines may differ for in-person and mail-in voting. Additionally, due to the coronavirus pandemic, some states may be making changes to their mail-in voting procedures. For the latest updates on these changes, visit your state’s election office website here. To check if you’re registered to vote, click here.
"This election will be one of the most consequential in our nation's history," said the Coalition's Executive Director Brian Hujdich. "LGBTQ individuals will make their voices heard in this election and have a profound impact on addressing LGBTQ health, and many issues like social justice and climate change which directly impact our community's health and wellness."
The Coalition's Director of Advocacy Scott Bertani said that "On November 3, 2020, the entire U.S. House, one-third of the U.S. Senate, and the Presidency are up for election, along with countless local and state-level positions—positions that help shape the daily lives of the entire LGBTQ Community. While we are not one mega voting bloc, candidates who focus on LGBTQ issues and work to meet our ongoing, unmet needs will benefit at the polls. Data from this year’s presidential primaries and recent 2018 mid-terms indicate that the LGBTQ community is showing up in force. Our voice, and our vote matters—especially when it comes to our health."
For more information about the campaign and the National Coalition for LGBT Health, please visit www.healthlgbt.org.
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The National Coalition for LGBT Health is committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through federal and local advocacy, medical and consumer education, capacity building, training, and health services research. The Coalition addresses the entire LGBTQ community, including individuals of every sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and age regardless of disability, income, education, and/or geography. The Coalition established and leads the annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week, which is held the third week of March each year. For more information, please visit www.healthlgbt.org.
