The weight of this moment is heavy. As I sit with the reality of Kamala Harris not winning the election, I can’t help but feel a profound sadness—not just for her, but for the millions of people across this country who hoped and believed that her victory would signal progress, inclusion, and the breaking of long-standing barriers. Her campaign was nothing short of extraordinary—an inspiring call for justice, equity, and progress. She did everything right, yet the system failed her. And in failing her, it failed so many of us.
A Moment of Reflection
When I think back to 2016, I am transported to a time of deep uncertainty. I was working at the Ms. Foundation at the time, and I’ll never forget the eerie silence on the NYC subway after the election results were announced. The collective shock, the quiet disbelief—it was as if we had all collectively entered a space of grief, unsure of what the future held. But I was fortunate. I had the support of a fierce and protective group of colleagues in a city that was determined to stick together, to care for each other, and to resist the darkness that had just taken hold. It was an incredibly difficult time, but we leaned into each other. We worked together. We supported one another. And we vowed to continue the fight. But this time—this time feels different.
Navigating a Red State, Fighting for My Rights
Today, I’m still fighting for those same values, but from a new vantage point. I’m now part of Planned Parenthood, an organization that has long been at the forefront of the fight for reproductive rights, healthcare access, and justice. Every day, I wake up knowing that the work we do is more vital than ever. But I also find myself living in a red state, navigating the complexities of IVF as a queer person in a place where every step of my journey feels like a deathwish.
Being a queer person, particularly one seeking reproductive healthcare like IVF, in a state where conservative policies are continuously encroaching on personal freedoms is terrifying. Every decision, every conversation with my healthcare providers, every form I fill out feels like a calculated risk. The fear is not just about the process itself—it’s about the larger environment. The broader climate that actively undermines our rights, our autonomy, and our dignity. It’s about the daily microaggressions, the discriminatory laws, and the feeling that every inch of progress we’ve fought for could be rolled back in an instant.
I will not shrink. I refuse to let this moment define me in terms of surrender.
But even in the face of fear, I am determined. I will not be silenced. I will not shrink. I refuse to let this moment define me in terms of surrender.
A Fight That Only Grows Stronger
Trump’s win, and the consequences of this ongoing political reality, haven’t changed my fight. If anything, they’ve made it stronger. There’s a deep, unshakable conviction that has grown within me. In many ways, I feel more motivated than ever to stand up for justice—justice for women, for marginalized communities, for people of color, for queer folks, for immigrants, for those who are constantly pushed to the edges of society. We all deserve better. We deserve a future that is rooted in dignity, respect, and equality.
No matter how difficult things may seem, no matter how overwhelming the political climate might be, we must continue pushing forward. We cannot afford to give up now. The fight for equality, healthcare, and justice is not just a fight—it’s a responsibility, one that each of us must take on, not just for ourselves but for those who come after us.
In this moment of uncertainty, one thing is clear: we cannot afford to be passive. The challenges we face may seem insurmountable at times, but the power of our collective resistance is greater than any obstacle. Whether we are fighting for reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, or simply the right to live our lives freely, we must continue.
Kamala Harris’s campaign was a shining example of what’s possible when we reach for something more, when we believe that a better, more just future is within our grasp. And while the outcome was not what we hoped for, it does not diminish the work we must continue to do.
Moving Forward
The grief I feel today, as I reflect on the election results, is real. But it is not the end of the road. The fight is far from over. In fact, it has only just begun. We will keep fighting for every person who needs it, for every person who is vulnerable, for every person whose voice has been silenced by systemic injustice.
We will continue to show up, even when it feels impossible. We will continue to fight for the world we know is possible. And we will do it together.
We all deserve better. And we will get there.
Juliana M. Weissbein, CFRE is a respected leader and decision influencer in regard to fundraising operations best practices. With over a decade of experience, Juliana thrives on professional growth, team success, measurable results, and inspiring fundraisers to utilize data-based strategies. Juliana currently serves as the Associate Director of Development Operations at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She has served as an AFP Global Board Member, AFP Global's 2019 Outstanding Young Professional Fundraiser and is a member of the AFP Global Women's Impact Initiative. Juliana is immediate past chair of the AFP New York City chapter’s Emerging Leaders Committee and currently serves on the chapter’s board chairing their mentorship program. She resides in Houston, TX and never turns down a good kombucha.
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