LGBTQ advocacy group targets redistricting to aid representation in largely gay areas
The LGBTQ Victory Fund is launching a "first-of-its-kind" redistricting effort to bolster lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender candidates nationwide next year, Politico reports.
To do so, advocates are lobbying map-drawing authorities in certain states to classify gay populations as "communities of interest," a status given to other minority groups so they can elect their preferred candidate in local, state, or federal races, Politico writes. These specially-considered areas are known as "opportunity districts."
The Victory Fund campaign has specifically focused in on Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, and Montana, since redistricting in those states is handled by nonpartisan commisions rather than state legislators who might ignore public input. The strategy is simple — lobby map authorities to "keep gay areas intact," and compile data that definitively locates LGBTQ communities to move the effort forward.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"It's about the awareness that these communities exist, and not to just ignore them and to dismiss them," said Rep. Brianna Titone (D), Colorado's first transgender legislator. "We do have a collective voice that we want to be heard." Only 0.19 percent of all elected officials identify as LGBTQ, despite the community comprising at least 5.6 percent of the population, per Politico.
Notably, efforts could have their greatest impact at the municipal level, where it would likely be easier for a majority-LGBTQ community to reach "critical mass" in a city council district, writes Politico.
"We all know how consequential redistricting is for representation," added Victory Fund spokesperson Elliot Imse. "A line drawn in the middle of a neighborhood with a large LGBTQ population can be the difference between electing an LGBTQ person to city council or state legislature or having zero people in these places." Read more at Politico.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris makes closing case in huge rally at DC's Ellipse
Speed Read The Democratic nominee asked voters to "turn the page" on Trump's "division" and "chaos"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'I am not a Nazi,' Trump says amid MSG rally fallout
Speed Read Trump and his campaign are attempting to stem the fallout from comments made by speakers at Sunday's rally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published