As LGBTQ+ people, as with every community and constituency in this country, our fates are tied to the survival of our democracy. It is a question of whether or not our voices will be heard and our communities will be represented and protected.

Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and voting is our most fundamental right. Protecting that right for everyone is what makes freedom, equity, and equality for LGBTQ+ people and all people possible.

This weekend, as our nation celebrates the powerful legacy of Civil Rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., we must honor that legacy with action. The message is clear:  Congress  must seize this moment to pass national voting rights legislation and protect our most fundamental right.

Take Action: Contact your Senators today and tell them it’s time to deliver on voting rights. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965 and reauthorized it repeatedly on a bipartisan basis in order to eliminate discriminatory voting laws, particularly those targeting Black Americans.

But recent Supreme Court decisions have gutted that critical law, and those who would deny our fundamental right to vote have swooped in to take advantage:

In this year alone, 19 states across the country have passed laws that make it harder for people –  particularly people in Black and Brown communities – to vote.

Democracy can’t wait another minute. It’s time for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to protect our fundamental right to vote.

Call your Senators today and tell them to support the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act next week.