COLUMBUS, Ohio — Aside from being an entirely gluten-free bakery, “Bake Me Happy” in Columbus is a one-stop shop for voting information and resources, too.
“I am physically doing my part to try to advocate for people to vote and to motivate people to vote,” said co-owner Letha Pugh.
Letha Pugh is co-owner of “Bake me Happy” and the founder of the Columbus nonprofit “Black, Out & Proud” that provides advocacy, education, and inspiration for and by the Black LGBTQ+ community.
Pugh is also an LGBTQ voter in a key battleground state featured in GLAAD’s get out the vote campaign, “Drive the Vote.”
The four-part series follows Mathew Lasky, GLAAD’s director of communications, as he drives across the country to talk with LGBTQ voters about the upcoming election, why they’re voting, and what issues matter most to them.
“We know that last election was determined by a very slim margin of voters, right. And GLAAD did some research to show that LGBTQ folks, if they turn out in larger numbers in some of these key states like Ohio, like Pennsylvania, like Michigan could have really made an impact and actually flipped the decision if we just had more LGBTQ folks registered and voting and taking part in the process. So I think LGBTQ folks are, shouldn’t be underestimated. We have a huge impact,” said Lasky.
Lasky feels LGBTQ issues have been largely absent from the 2020 election cycle.
“The LGBTQ community is made up of so many different voices and to support and be an ally to our community. It’s so, so important. We have a lot at stake, this election, there’s a lot of misinformation this election. And I think to really be an ally to our community, you need to listen and to help us and support us in making sure that our rights are protected,” said Lasky.
Pugh says with being Black and LGBTQ, exercising her right to vote is more important now than ever before.
“For the LGBTQ community, we are slowly being stripped of our rights. If you are paying attention, we are losing our rights. So, I think it’s very important for people to get out there,” said Pugh.
“This election really shows us that one vote can make a difference and your vote truly can make it, make a difference in the margins we’re talking about are so slim that in the case that we can just get that one person who might have an LGBTQ son or daughter and their life, and really get them to understand how important it is to support our issues in this upcoming election that can make all the difference,” added Lasky.
“Drive the Vote,” is posted on GLAAD’s YouTube and social media accounts, as well as on BuzzFeed’s Facebook, IGTV and Twitter.
