Human equality was a common motive for voters at polling places in the Logan Circle and Shaw neighborhoods today.
Although they鈥檙e two neighborhoods with significant LGBTQ+ populations, voters shared with 最新蜜桃影像 that the social issues they鈥檙e focused on this election season include the economy, abortion, democracy, climate change and marijuana legalization.
鈥淚 have friends who are like, 鈥業f Trump wins, then [gay] marriage will go away, and we鈥檒l be stuffed back into the closet,鈥欌 said Joseph Schroder, who wrote in his vote for president at the Shaw polling place. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 actually true.鈥

On the other hand, Clifton Hogan, who voted for Harris near Logan Circle, said he鈥檚 worried by Project 2025 ideologies as a gay man.
鈥淥bviously, gay marriage hasn鈥檛 been made illegal, but Roe v. Wade was decided precedent, but here we are two years later,鈥 Hogan said.聽
The Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library was a lively polling spot, with an outdoor line stretching the length of the building. The volunteer site coordinator, who did not share her name in fear of being perceived as representing the D.C. Board of Elections, said the voter turnout has been 鈥渙verwhelming in a good way.鈥

The site coordinator said she’s seen a diverse and enthusiastic flock of voters, many of whom registered to vote on the spot. She said this contributed to the long wait times and line, which moved to the shaded side of the library around lunchtime after voters complained of baking in the heat.
People running for office, including Brooke Pinto for D.C. Council and Nicole Shea for Shaw鈥檚 Advisory Neighborhood Commission, were also outside the library with their teams campaigning and talking to voters.


Outside the library, Schroeder said he鈥檚 focused on the economy, federal debt, and the way the country budgets, which are top-of-mind issues. While his identity as a gay man changes how he culturally views things, he wrote in a candidate because his views don’t align with Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump.
鈥淚鈥檓 in D.C., so I feel like I have the privilege of being able to [say] my vote doesn鈥檛 matter,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f I was in Pennsylvania or something, I would have to make a real choice and probably vote for [Harris], but at the moment, I鈥檓 sort of casting a protest vote.鈥
D.C. is notorious for voting blue in each election. In 2020, in the District voted for Joe Biden.
Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church near Logan Circle had a less lively outdoor crowd. Still, voters reported that the printed ballot system was out of order, so everyone was required to vote digitally. One man walked out of the polling place shortly after entering, declaring to passersby that the indoor line was too long for him to wait in during a break between food deliveries.

Jacynta Smith, registered to vote in North Carolina, said she鈥檚 focused on bodily autonomy and is hopeful as her home state is a swing state.
She was found outside the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church waiting for Corey Littman while he voted. Littman鈥檚 priorities are abortion, climate change and marijuana legalization.
Regarding LGBTQ+ issues: 鈥淚鈥檓 not personally in that community, but I do want them to have the protections everybody deserves,鈥 Littman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not my highest priority, personally, but I do think it鈥檚 important.鈥
Emily Menge voted for Harris at the Logan Circle polling place, prioritizing women鈥檚 rights and democracy.
鈥淒.C. is dramatically [Democrat], so I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 shocking that most of these people are voting for her,鈥 Menge said. 鈥淲ithout D.C. statehood, it … doesn鈥檛 make you feel great about your vote.鈥
James Ashton, who was chanting 鈥淭rump, Trump, Trump鈥 under his breath as he exited the Shaw Library polling location, said he voted Republican due to the economy and border issues.
David Lublin, department chair and professor of government at American University, said he hasn鈥檛 seen many people say LGBTQ+ rights are a number one priority for voters in this election.聽
鈥淚n particular, I鈥檝e seen this election as a battle of whether abortion or immigration is the most important issue,鈥 Lublin said.
Lublin said transgender issues have been a discussion point for some Republicans, mainly due to gendered sports and restrooms, but 鈥渢he lack of discussion of same-sex marriage and related questions I think show to what an extent that it鈥檚 no longer really a debatable proposition in the U.S.”
The polls will close at 8 p.m. In the Shaw neighborhood, Kamala Harris will tonight at Howard University.

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