Are you a political candidate running for office in Corpus Christi or surrounding communities? Do you want to connect with an active, engaged, and vibrant community? The LGBTQIA+ community in the Coastal Bend is ready to hear from you! We invite you to join us at the Pride Parade and Block Party on October 5, where you can share your message, engage with voters, and demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Our Community Votes: Your Opportunity to Engage

The LGBTQIA+ community in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend is a significant voting bloc. Our community values candidates who stand for equality, fairness, and justice for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. The Pride Parade and Block Party is an excellent opportunity for you to meet potential voters, listen to their concerns, and share your vision for a more inclusive future.

Register to Vote

Your vote is your voice! If you’re not yet registered to vote, now is the time to do it. Texas offers several convenient ways to register:

1. Online: While Texas does not offer online voter registration, you can fill out an application online and print it for mailing.
2. By Mail: Download a voter registration application from the Texas Secretary of State’s website, fill it out, and mail it to the voter registrar in your county.
3. In Person: You can register in person at the Coastal Bend Pride Center or with their booth at our block party.

The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election is 30 days before Election Day (October 7, 2024). Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard!

Election Day in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend

Election Day is a critical moment for our community. It’s when we come together to decide the future of our city, our state, and our country. Make sure you know where to vote, what ID to bring, and what’s on the ballot.

• Election Date: November 5, 2024
• Polling Locations: Find your polling location on the Nueces County Clerk’s website.

Key Issues for the LGBTQIA+ Community

When engaging with the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s important to be aware of the issues that matter most to us:

• Anti-Discrimination Protections: Support for laws that protect LGBTQIA+ individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. As of today, no Texas state law protects employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Healthcare Access: Advocacy for accessible, inclusive, and affirming healthcare services, including mental health support and HIV/AIDS care. In Texas, LGBTQIA+ individuals often face barriers to healthcare, including a lack of providers knowledgeable about their specific needs and challenges related to accessing gender-affirming care.
• Education and Safe Schools: Ensuring that schools are safe, inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ youth, free from bullying and harassment. Currently, Texas does not have statewide laws specifically protecting LGBTQIA+ students from bullying or harassment.
• Transgender Rights: Protecting the rights of transgender individuals, including the right to access gender-affirming care and the ability to change legal documents to reflect their gender identity. In Texas, transgender individuals face significant challenges in accessing gender-affirming care and legal recognition of their gender identity.
• Marriage Equality: Upholding the rights and protections afforded to LGBTQIA+ couples through marriage equality. While marriage equality is federally recognized, Texas has not updated its state statutes to reflect this change.

Join Us at the Pride Parade and Block Party

We encourage all political candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to apply to march in the Pride Parade or reserve a booth at the Block Party. This is your chance to connect with voters, share your platform, and show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

How to Apply:

• Parade Participation: Apply to march in the parade by filling out the application on our website.
• Block Party Booth: Reserve a booth at the Block Party to engage with attendees, distribute campaign materials, and speak directly to voters.

 

Resources

For more information on voter registration, polling locations, and the issues that matter to the LGBTQIA+ community, visit these resources:

• Texas Secretary of State Voter Information
• Equality Texas
• Human Rights Campaign
• LGBTQ Victory Fund
• Coastal Bend Pride Center

Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and just future for all. We look forward to seeing you at the Pride Parade and Block Party on October 5!