The local gay community came out in force Saturday to rally for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz.
About 200 people rallied at Norfolk's MJ’s Tavern -- a well-known gay-friendly establishment in the Riverview neighborhood. Billed as the “Out for Harris Rally,” local, state and federal politicians showed up to offer their support.
Against a backdrop of rainbow flags and banners proclaiming equality for all, attendees waved Harris-Walz signs and cheered as speakers echoed Michelle Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech to “Do Something.”
Close by, a voter registrar was signing up new voters, and a campaign organizer enlisted volunteers.
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Newport News state Del. Marcia Price, and 3rd District Congressman Bobby Scott all gave remarks endorsing the Harris-Walz ticket.
Price is a member of the LGBTQ community and calls herself the first out Black woman in the Virginia General Assembly. She said it was twenty years ago that Harris officiated at the first gay marriage ceremony held in California.
The owner of MJ’s and organizer of the Harris rally, John Childers, said getting out the vote was critical, especially in this year’s election.
“We can’t just sit at home and just hope that people are going to go out and vote,” he said. “You have to get involved.”
Abigail Southern-Klein also helped organize the event and said reproductive justice compelled her to get involved in this year’s election.
“Seeing how many women, couples, people across this country that it impacted after Roe v. Wade was overturned, especially within the LGBTQ community, it is vital that we have not just a president and vice president, but a senate that is going to do something to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a major issue with attendees, because many felt it means the Court would revisit the 2015 Obergefell decision that legalized same sex marriage.
Norfolk resident Vivian Paige said there was no alternative for her: “I have to protect myself for the long-term and my wife for the long term and not have to worry about our marriage being taken away from us and all the benefits being taken away from us, so this is important.”
GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, says marriage equality is one of the issues queer and hetereosexual voters are paying attention to. The organization cites a March 2024 poll that found 70% of Americans support marriage equality.
The organization also says book bans in schools, health care for transgender people and abortion and reproductive care are issues important to LGBTQ voters and in a poll of registered queer voters, 94% are definitely or probably voting in November’s election.
