Kiera Johnson joined the National LGBTQ Task Force in 2018 as Deputy Executive Director. She has been its president since 2021.
metro weekly:TTell us about your experience on election night. How did you feel when the night first started and when was the last time you felt like things weren’t going as expected?
kiera johnson:First of all, I couldn’t sleep. I was very nervous the night before. The family likes to say “nervous” and has created a new word to describe nervousness and excitement. I mean, I was nervous. On the one hand, I found the excitement of the historical moment we’re in very motivating. And I had just come back from Pennsylvania knocking on doors, so I was high on that and talking to my kids. They went to vote with me. That’s the exciting part.
And the nervous thing was, we’ve been here before. [in 2016]. I remember his first election. I remember everyone being convinced that he had no chance of going to hell. So, for me, it reminded me a little bit of how I felt the day after that election. And it definitely existed for me too.
I was on the campus of Howard University on election night, so I came to the garden and it was really beautiful. It was intergenerational and racial diversity was just a rainbow of beautiful people talking to each other, celebrating and watching the benefits reap. And I could feel the change in energy.
The people became very quiet. you can say [nervousness] The excitement took over. We all stayed outside hoping to see Vice President Harris. And she didn’t come out. And we are seeing the number of electors increase in ways that are not favorable to us.
You can feel the energy of the space changing. I had a pit in my stomach and was trying to stay positive. I was trying to get myself and others excited by participating in quad dances. Because that’s who I am. And then I went home. I couldn’t sleep but refused to look at my phone. Because I thought in my heart that President Trump’s inauguration would wake me up.
MW: So this is our new reality. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the LGBTQ community under this revamped, and some would say more dangerous, Trump administration?
johnson: Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re seeing much progress at the federal level in expanding rights and protecting LGBTQ people, such as expanding access to health care and expanding health insurance coverage. Civil rights through the Equality Act. I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like that. However, what is even more worrying is that I think we will see a backlash in the future.
Threats to dismantle things like the Department of Education, if true, will hurt all young people, but especially those of diversity who identify as Black, Indigenous, young girls, and queer kids. It hurts some young people. There is a lot of protection and support available through the Department for Education and I am concerned that this will be reduced, if not cut completely. And we know that when young people lack resources, they are more likely to attempt and succeed at suicide. And we’re already seeing those numbers.
And beyond the policy framework, I think we’re already seeing an increase in hateful language and violence. So I think we need to be realistic when we talk about what we need to do as a community. We need to fight to enact policies and laws at the local, state, and federal levels, but we also need to be mindful of how we physically protect LGBTQ people.
MW: Well, I’m actually worried about education. To take just one horrifying example: rewriting the history of this country to eradicate all mention of slavery. Or you can’t even mention Stonewall.
johnson: Yeah. And the erasure of history is strategic. If there is no history, it will be deleted. There’s a reason they’re trying to take images, art, and literature of women, indigenous people, black people, and gay people out of schools and libraries. Because they know what it means. Identity has power, identity is tied to history, and people without history are not fixed. And propaganda can easily be forced down someone’s throat.
It is easier to convince people that they are not important, that they have no power, and use them to their own advantage. So it’s not just the erasure of history or language. It is the erasure of our people. And they know it’s a matter of power.
MW: How will you use your organization’s resources to fight the regime?
johnson:The important thing for us is that while we are all emotionally shaken up right now, we have been planning scenarios for the last few months. So there was no way to predict exactly where we would be today, but we’re going to run through some scenarios over the next few months and start putting them into action.
Therefore, we will utilize social media platforms. Use the “Creating Change” space. We will work with partners to build on the foundation we have built across the country to build and deepen communities so people know they are not alone. Masu. Also, seriously focus on leveraging our voices and power at the state and federal level.
There is a program called FedWatch. This is a coalition of people from different movements to keep an eye on the Federal Register and make sure nothing leaks that could affect the public.
We know that people have questions about what their rights are, so we’ll definitely be hosting legal clinics at every in-person conference or event. We will create a space where people can get real information, and we will make sure that people get the right information at their fingertips. Because we know there’s a lot of misinformation out there.
And we also need our progressive faith leaders, people of faith, to be not only a comfort to so many LGBTQ people in this time, but also a guiding light in power. We will try to be the center. Therefore, we need to involve them in advocacy efforts and ensure that these voices of faith are heard in the national media.
MW: Some Democrats are now distancing themselves from transgender issues, particularly trans women’s participation in women’s sports, which has become a small-scale but highly wedged issue in order to gain advantage in the next election. claims that it is necessary. What do you think about this?
johnson: Bullshit. The reality is that queer and trans issues and candidates won across the country. It’s just scapegoating, a lack of responsibility, and a lack of courage.
The reality is that racism and sexism played a role in this election. That’s what this time was about. Exit polls so far show that young people have voted in their own best interests. Black women voted to put their interests first. There was overwhelming support from non-evangelicals and people who identify as spiritual and religious. This was not a transgender issue. This was a question of whether I would have the courage to ask a black Asian woman to guide me.
We know that authoritarianism and fascism are deeply rooted in this country. There is nothing she could have said or done because the rhetoric coming from the Trump campaign and the bigotry leaking from the Trump campaign unfortunately resonated with so many people. And that’s why we are where we are now.
MW: I think that’s exactly right. I think all we have to focus on is Sarah McBride’s win, and that’s a big win.
johnson: And that’s just one of many, right? There is a long list of transgender people who have won various races across the country. I want to tell these Democrats to step up. Freedom can’t be won just by talking badly. You cannot access capital by not taking risks. We cannot have the community and democracy we deserve by leaving our people behind. That has never happened before. We must show up for our people. We always win when we act for people. So I say this. Don’t be a coward. ” Acting as if this kind of behavior is political expediency is simply not true.
People are afraid and don’t know how to talk about these issues. They don’t know how to participate in communities with queer people and transgender people. But the reality is, we’re just humans. And at some point, how do we affirm the humanity of our communities and people, and unapologetically say, “We are all entitled to human rights?”
MW: What advice would you give to LGBTQ people who say they want to give up on politics, activism, or even community service or volunteer work after this election?People who feel like there’s no hope left.
johnson: I would say this. Let’s get angry. Even if you’re frustrated or confused, whatever you need to do to get back with us, just do it. ”
The reality is, I don’t fundamentally believe that this is a good victory for our community, but there are many people who are fighting for their lives every day since they were born into this world. Poverty, anti-black racism, homophobia, transphobia. Many of us have been grappling with these issues for decades. decades. So we have to find the fire in our bellies to keep moving forward. It doesn’t mean you don’t take breaks. That’s another reason we have to rely on the community. Because we all need to do what we need to do to heal, rest, find joy, and get back on track.
If some of us need to retreat, others will have to step in, but all must be dedicated to the fight. We didn’t get to where we are today by throwing up our hands. Kamala Harris said: [in her concession speech]”It’s not time to raise your hands, it’s time to roll up your sleeves. It’s time to get down to business.” Women fighting for women’s right to vote, people fighting for civil rights, people fighting to end slavery. , those fighting to stop the northern pipeline. we don’t stop. We just try harder and rely on each other to work until we get where we need to get.
MW: How do you personally feel about the future of our community and our country at this time?
johnson: As a Black queer woman and the parent of three children who live with family in Georgia, Florida, and Texas, I am saddened. I’m angry. I’m afraid. But I’m not hopeless. I’m not hopeless. Part of the beauty of our history is that it gives us perspective to see that we have overcome difficult events and come out on top, time and time again.
Victory is not a straight line, but we are making progress. We stand at a new point in history-making. And I feel both fortunate and deeply responsible to be able to take action to further progress this country. So, while I feel a great sense of responsibility, I also feel grateful to be able to join and lead the Task Force Action Fund and the Task Force at this time. Because the task force is a platform that has been around for 51 years and has made progress. And we intend to continue doing so.
To learn more about the National LGBTQ Task Force, its programs, and how you can help, please visit: www.thetaskforce.org.
The task force’s annual conference, “Creating Change,” will be held from January 22nd to 26th in Las Vegas. Registration is still being accepted. Click here for details.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
