Time to celebrate some good news!

It has become very easy to feel isolated, mistrustful and let down in contemporary times given much of the political atmosphere around the globe these days. We have witnessed the rise of fascism in record time being the norm in many societies which historically have had a wealth of small D-democratic principles begin to fall like domino pieces. In recent weeks however, we have begun to see an epic clap back which can grow with continued active engagement.

Turning to matters at home, we have gone from the federal Conservatives leading large in opinion polls this time a year ago due to the unpopularity of the previous Prime Minister and during that time trying as hard as possible inject US based culture wars into our own political dialogue. Thankfully, they went on to lose the most recent election and in addition to not being able to implement their darker agenda we have seen the victorious Liberals pledge to further fund LGBTQ+ related resources and increase security give the bullseye being placed on us. While it is important to hold the Liberal government to account the alternative option was a bullet I am glad we dodged as in the proceeding years we can and will still push further.

South of the border there was a euphoria in the air as allies of our community prevailed in large numbers. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani won a decisive victory over Trump backed rival Andrew Cuomo and in Mamdani's victory speech we have seen him make a pledge to the LGBTQ+ community. In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger who was leading by about 7% in polls ended up winning over 15%, the first time a Democrat broke double digits since 1985. This was a huge rebuke of her Republican opponent who used her campaign time to target trans people and even go as far to say that discrimination of gay people is not discrimination. The Democrats also won a similar victory in New Jersey for Governor as Mikie Sherill steam rolled her Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli. Democrats continued their electoral blood bath over Republicans by flipping seats in Georgia which have been in Republican hands since as far back as the Clinton or Carter years and picked up enough seats in the deeply Republican bastions of Iowa and Mississippi to deny them a super majority of legislative seats.

When we get up, organize and fight good things can happen. While we are not out of the weeds just yet take the 'W' and crack out your favorite drink!

-Ashley D