Snyder-Hall has LGBTQ+ community’s back

I read with interest an article published in a regional publication reporting on the LGBTQ+ community stating that Mike Simpler, the Republican candidate for Delaware's 14th Representative District, expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights and specifically legislation protecting transgender people.

I am glad that this lifelong Delawarean and resident of the legislative district with the largest number of LGBTQ+ people in Delaware is in support of our community. I do not question what is in his heart. I also do not care what is in his heart or the heart of any person seeking or serving in elective office. I care only about what they have done before they decided to seek public office, and what they do once in office. I do need to react, though, to what seems to be his superficial definitions. Having gay friends does not make one supportive. I maintain friendships with a number of current and past legislators who could never bring themselves to vote yes in LGBTQ+ legislation. Sadly, I could never vote for any of them. Wearing a dress at a party does not equate with being transgender supportive. Gender Identity is not determined by how one dresses on the outside; a people know their gender on their inside.

I served on the board of Delaware Stonewall Democrats and its successor Delaware Stonewall PAC from 2006-21. During that period, I served as either political vice president or president. I was heavily involved with the passage of all LGBTQ+ legislation in Delaware. That involvement included the passage of hospital visitation rights and anti-discrimination laws in 2009 up to and including the passage of both marriage equality and transgender protections in 2013. I never saw Republican candidate Mike Simpler at any event, fundraiser or lobbying effort for our bills.

It is because Simpler, from a local politically active family, is not known to ever actively support the efforts of our community, a community with a significant number of voters in the district he seeks to represent, that I must question the motives behind his expressing his support now. I have not seen such expressions of support in his campaign literature or in advertising supporting his candidacy. Delaware, and this area, have had more than their share of office seekers, of both parties, expressing their support, even love, for the LGBTQ+ community and then doing nothing to advance our rights once elected. I fear Simpler is just the latest. However, there is a clear alternative.

Claire Snyder-Hall is the Democratic candidate. She is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community and, in her personal capacity and during her years as executive director of Common Cause Delaware, has supported and even lobbied for legislation mentioned above. Knowing that, LGBTQ+ members of the 14th Representative District, and their allies, have no reason to look beyond Claire to find a representative who they know will have their backs – it is her back too! Claire is the former chair of the 14th Representative District Democratic Committee, during my term as chair of the Sussex County Democratic Committee, and she is endorsed by Delaware Stonewall. I thank Simpler for stating support for our community and transgender rights. However, I support and have contributed to Claire Snyder-Hall, who has an actual track record of helping achieve those rights.