Michael Arceneaux, Guest Columnist

LGBTQ+ ‘State of Emergency’ Is No PR Stunt

The Human Rights Campaign’s announcement does two critical things to meet the moment we live in head-on.

June 13, 2023 at 11:30 AM UTC

Michael Arceneaux writes about pop culture, politics, race, sexuality, religion, class and gender. He is the author of "I Don’t Want To Die Poor" and "I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé."

Declaring a state of emergency was necessary.
Photographer: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images North America

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For the first time in its 40-year history, the Human Rights Campaign has declared a “state of emergency” for LGBTQ+ Americans. Some may respond to the announcement with cynicism or indifference. What does it really do anyway? Well, the answer is not “nothing.” And those who fixate on whether the organization is just being hyperbolic or seeking attention miss that the group’s announcement meets the moment we live in head-on.

The first thing that the HRC’s historic move does is give vulnerable communities — which have been targeted (at times violently) by elected officials, companies, celebrities, news networks, school districts and fellow voters — a guidebook for staying safe. It is available for download and includes health and safety information, summations of state-specific laws targeting LGBTQ+ Americans, “know your rights” information, and other resources “designed to support LGBTQ+ travelers as well as those already living in hostile states.”