Talking About the Election Where Communities Come Together

Election coverage this year has often featured conversations among voters in homes, community centers, local restaurants and other places where people gather. One of the strongest media narratives of this election has been how the grassroots are increasingly engaged in the ’08 election.  Much of this has to do with the growing influence of Facebook and other online communities, but it could also be that political candidates are increasingly willing to connect with voters in a wide variety of public spaces. Just last week, Chelsea Clinton, Gloria Steinem and Rob Reiner campaigned in two popular Dallas gay bars: JR’s and Sue Ellen’s.

The mainstream media has been focusing more attention toward the places where LGBT people meet. A recent article in The Washington Post focused on the organic conversations going on in the Texas LGBT community about the election. In the case of Gun Barrel City, Texas, the meeting place for LGBT folks in the small town of 5,000 is Friends, the local gay bar. As influential news sources realize the importance of the LGBT vote, they are trying to get the pulse of the community at the grassroots level.

With the media and politicians engaging the LGBT community in new ways, there is the opportunity to elevate the stories of people who are often overlooked. Who knows, perhaps next time you go to your local haunt Wolf Blitzer will be there to ask you who you’re voting for. 

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy