Equality Federation Reacts to 2024 Election Results

Equality Federation responds to the results of the November 5, 2024, Presidential election and many Congressional, Senate, state, and local election results.

The following statement can be attributed to Fran Hutchins, Executive Director of Equality Federation: 

“The election results are beyond devastating. This is a painful and difficult moment for everyone who cherishes the freedom to be authentically yourself, for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community, for those of us who hold multiple identities, and for everyone who cares about us. 

“Anti-equality candidates repeatedly lied about transgender people and children, stirring up hatred with millions of dollars in false and misleading anti-trans ads. I am extremely concerned that a person so intent on dehumanizing our community in this way will again be in our nation’s highest office.

“Yet, we must stand firm in this belief: no matter who occupies the White House, we will keep fighting for our families, our freedoms, and our future. We will continue to organize in the communities we call home — every single community in this democracy. We will continue to make our voices heard, no matter the barriers to our political participation. 

“While the implications of this outcome will undoubtedly hurt too many of us, one election does not decide our future. The greatest opportunities to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people will continue to be in the states—where the work is hard, but the impact is great. Equality Federation is committed to supporting state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations doing the hard work, as we have for over 27 years.

“As we approach 2025, we know the legislative landscape will present challenges, especially in states governed by extremist legislators who continue to target transgender people as part of their anti-rights agenda. Yet, we draw inspiration from the many LGBTQ+ leaders who have won in races across the country. California, Colorado, and Hawaii have enshrined marriage equality for same-sex couples in their state constitutions, and eight states have ensured access to abortion, proving that progress is possible even in the face of adversity.

“Queer and transgender people showed up in this election, and we will continue to show up. Our community is powerful. We have been through tough times before, and we are united in our vision for a better future. We are a movement, and we are so much more than this moment. We’ve got this. We’ve got us.”