GLAAD AND DEMI LOVATO, HALLE BERRY, AND ADAM RIPPON RECORD GET OUT THE VOTE PHONE CALLS TO HOME STATE VOTERS IN TEXAS, OHIO, AND PENNSYLVANIA: “LET’S USE OUR VOICES TO CREATE A LANDSLIDE FOR EQUALITY”

Phone messages send reminders about early voting: open in Texas through Oct. 30th; open in Ohio now through Nov. 3; and open in Pennsylvania through Oct. 27th

GLAAD continues its 100 Days of Action campaign with its digital door knocking initiative, a grassroots effort to get GLAAD’s followers the tools to reach out to family and friends about what’s at stake for LGBTQ people in this election

New York, NY – Wednesday, October 21, 2020 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced its election-season partnership with Demi Lovato, Halle Berry and Adam Rippon to send voice messages to LGBTQ voters and allies in battleground states of Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania about early voting, voting deadlines, and the issues at stake in this election.

Calls direct voters to /action for ways to vote and to spread the word about what is at stake for LGBTQ people during this election.

TEXAS: Queer superstar and native Texan Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato’s call reminds voters in her home state of Texas that early voting is ongoing through October 30th. “So much is on the line,” Lovato says. “Marriage equality, adoption, the safety and the dignity of transgender Americans, racial justice. Let’s use our voices to create a landslide for equality. We can do it, if we do it together.” Lovato, who was raised in Dallas, previously received the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for her LGBTQ advocacy.

Early voting began in Texas on October 13, shattering a record with more than 100,000 ballots cast on opening day in Harris County (Houston metro area) alone. Early voting in Texas is ongoing through October 30.

Listen to Lovato’s message here: https://youtu.be/FS1nSXIIh9M

OHIO: Oscar-winning actress and Cleveland native Halle Berry

In a message to voters in her home state of Ohio, Halle Berry says: “I’m a proud LGBTQ ally working with GLAAD in my home state of Ohio to make sure Ohio has the highest turnout of LGBTQ and ally voters this election year.” Berry’s call reminds Ohioans that early voting is ongoing now through November 2nd, or they can vote in person on Election Day, November 3rd.

Early voting began in Ohio on October 6, with thousands of people already casting ballots. Metro areas saw long lines of voters, as the number of polling locations was severely limited. Voting is open in Ohio now through Election Day, November 3.

Listen to Berry’s message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOs2c4Pw65M&feature=youtu.be

PENNSYLVANIA: Out Olympian and Pennsylvanian Adam Rippon

Olympic figure skating star Adam Rippon, who was born in Scranton, has recorded calls going out to his home state of Pennsylvania, another key battleground in the 2020 election. Rippon reminds LGBTQ friends and allies of the stakes in the election, that early voting is ongoing now in Pennsylvania through October 27th, and suggests: “Go to glaad.org/action to find everything you need to make your voice heard and your vote count. Don’t forget, you can also vote in person on Election Day, November 3rd.”

Early voting began in Pennsylvania September 14 and continues through October 27. More than 2.6 million mail ballots have been requested statewide. Mailed ballots can be returned via mail, drop box or handed in at county election offices.

Listen to Rippon’s message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdgyD-RTtAk&feature=youtu.be

“There is so much on the line for LGBTQ people in the 2020 election, and we continue to dedicate our efforts to ensuring that our community turns out in record numbers this November,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “With the help of allies like Halle Berry and proud LGBTQ stars Demi Lovato and Adam Rippon, we hope to reach as many people as possible across Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and all across the country to ensure they have the tools they need to make their voices heard in this critical election.”

GLAAD’s recently released ‘State of LGBTQ Voters’ poll found that LGBTQ voters are highly motivated and prepared to vote. GLAAD’s poll, with Pathfinder Opinion Research, found that 76% of likely LGBTQ voters favor Biden over Trump, who received 17%. 88% of respondents report being registered to vote and 81% of likely LGBTQ voters are more motivated to vote in 2020 than in recent elections.

GLAAD is currently engaged in a 100 Days of Action campaign to educate LGBTQ people about what’s at stake during the 2020 election and to increase LGBTQ turnout at the polls in November. GLAAD has added pressure on news media to include LGBTQ issues as a part of their coverage, including in conventions, debates, town halls and the Supreme Court confirmation hearings. As part of its get out the vote work, GLAAD last month launched its Digital Doorknocking initiative, which is a grassroots effort to get GLAAD’s followers the tools to reach out to family and friends. By signing up, GLAAD’s followers gain access to exclusive graphics, videos, research and resources to share with friends, family, and fellow advocates between now and the election. Continue to invite your contacts to participate by signing up at www.glaad.org/knock. 

“It is so important for every member of the LGBTQ community to be engaged in this election cycle,” said Ross Murray, GLAAD’s Senior Director for the GLAAD Media Institute. “Voting is essential, but we want people to go beyond, helping friends, family and local media understand what is at stake this election for the community.”