We did it. This is what it should feel like. Democrats sent a message on Nov. 4. The message that we refuse to follow a king. The message that we refuse to follow a tyrant.
We sent a message that we will not sit back and allow our rights to be stripped away before our eyes.
I fell asleep and woke up with a feeling of hope about America on Nov. 5. A feeling that my governor, Abigail Spanberger, will protect my rights as an LGBTQIA member. A feeling of hope for every woman in Virginia able to exercise her right to reproductive freedom. Which, with Spanberger, will stay in Virginia.
I was so scared to have hope again. So many people were. Instead of being forced to grapple with the fact that I was going to see my human rights, built by queer ancestors and people of color, be regressed into nothing. Instead, I was singing “Freedom” by Beyonce in my room on Nov. 4.
I sang “Freedom” because it symbolized the safety I felt, the certainty, the gratitude, the hope and the power.
The message we sent was so incredibly strong that it healed something within me from last year’s Election Day.
Kamala Harris was a political figure that ignited passion within young people in America. We felt a part of something. We felt a part of freedom.
One thing Harris would say on the campaign was “When we fight, we win.” And in her concession speech, she said “sometimes the fight takes awhile.”
I felt that on last year’s Election Day. Yet in 2025, the fight is far from over. Harris would also say “we are not going back.” And we won’t.
We said yes to freedom, yes to human rights, yes to healthcare, yes to equal opportunity for the resources in America.
Virginia said yes to Spanberger, New Jersey said yes to Sherrill, California said yes to Prop 5o, New York said yes to Mamdani. The United States said no to kings.
The truth is, had this gone the other way, my right to marry another man would be being debated by politicians in Virginia right now. You heard correctly. Yes, my freedom and right to marry whomever I love would be being dissected by politicians in Virginia. So yes, queer people were met with a sense of freedom and peace after the recent election.
Yes, many women felt a sense of freedom because reproductive rights will be upheld in these states. Politicians won’t be allowed to make decisions about women’s bodies in these states.
Right now, even though it’s a month later, I still feel a part of something. I think we all do. I feel a part of change in this country, like what I felt during Harris’ campaign.
When I’m hit in the face with feelings, I turn to music, and I want to share a few songs and lyrics I’ve resonated with since this recent election.
“Singin’, freedom! freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too!”
“They aren’t gonna help us. Too busy helping themselves. They aren’t gonna change this. We gotta do it ourselves.”
“American Teenager” Ethel Cain
“Say what you want, but say it like you mean it, with your fists for once”
So yes,even one month later, we are continuing to feel this freedom. We are continuing to change the world, and we won’t stop. Because we are not going back.
