Washington, D.C. – The Democratic Party has unveiled its platform for November’s elections and it is the most LGBT+ inclusive ever. The party makes major pledges to reverse President Donald Trump’s anti-LGBT+ policies. Meanwhile it pledges to ban “conversion therapy”, pass the Equality Act and make America a world leader in LGBT+ rights. It recognizes the differing needs of various parts of the community in more detail than ever before. In particular it refers to “non-binary” and “non-conforming” people and recognizes intersectionality, talking about “trans people of color”, for example.

            Symbolizing this commitment to tackling discrimination in the US, the opening section says: “We will never amplify or legitimize the voices of racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, or white supremacy. Democrats will protect and promote the equal rights of all our citizens – women, LGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, people with disabilities, Native Americans, and all who have been discriminated against in too many ways and for too many generations.” The preamble concludes with a quote from gay black American poet Langston Hughes: “O, let America be America again – the land that never has been yet – and yet must be – the land where every man is free.”

            The Democrats’ platform also discusses the health and well-being needs of the LGBT+ community and condemns Trump’s discrimination against LGBT+ people in healthcare. It promises to restore protections so doctors, hospitals and health insurance companies can’t discriminate against patients because they are LGBT+. It promises LGBT+ people and those living with HIV ‘full access’ to health care. Federal health plans will include HIV testing and treatment and PrEP – a drug that can prevent HIV. They will also cover “gender confirmation surgery, and hormone therapy,” and ensure “blood donation regulations are based on science, not fiction or stigma.” In the 2016 presidential election, 78% of LGBT+ people voted for Hillary Clinton against just 14% for Donald Trump. Furthermore, in the 2018 midterm elections 82% of LGBT% people voted Democrat for Congress, while just 17% voted Republican. (Gay Star News – Tris Reid at https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/us-democratic-platform-makes-historic-pledges-for-lgbt-equality/}