It certainly is no secret that there are political divides across America that began even before the rise of Donald Trump as a presidential candidate. Increasing occurrences of violence, stigma and polarization against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, in particular, continues to rise. LGBT individuals compromise nearly 4.5 percent of the American population (16,425,000 people), but disproportionately make up 16 percent of hate crime victims (FBI.gov). Stigma and violence are nearly 225 percent more likely to happen to an LGBT individual compared to other minority individuals. This begs the question: Why should you elect an LGBT official?