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An unexpected guest paid a visit to this weekend's DragCon in New York City: presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren.
While the Massachusetts Senator was not there in physical form, Warren recorded a message to attendees of the annual drag extravaganza in which she pledged her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights if elected to the White House in 2020.
"I'm in this fight for full LGBTQ+ equality," she said. "We've got a lot of work to do to make sure everyone is free to be who they are and to love who they love."
In a 90-second video that was also uploaded to Twitter, Warren particularly drew attention to the epidemic of violence against transgender people -- particularly women of color -- across the United States. In 2019, at least 18 trans individuals have been killed, the vast majority of whom were Black trans women.
\u201cDid you miss @ewarren's message to @RuPaulsDragCon? Don't worry, we saved it for you! #DragCon\u201d— Warren Democrats (@Warren Democrats) 1567963605
"We need to call it out and we need to fight back," she continued. "Everyone should be able to go to school, to work, to get healthcare, or just walk down the street without fear of discrimination or violence. Equal means equal, period, and that's what I'm fighting for. I'm honored to fight by your side."
Warren has been one of the most vocal 2020 candidates when it comes to outlining her vision for equality. Just days before Pride Month, she unveiled an agenda that included overturning Donald Trump's ban on open trans military service, allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood, and outlawing anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy across the United States.
The presidential hopeful has continued to call attention to LGBTQ+ issues on social media, tweeting a ProPublica report last week about transgender people facing strip searches and invasive screenings by Transportation Security Administration officials.
Warren called the report an indication that we "must do better" to fight discrimination.
"I'll keep working to ensure that every trans and non-binary American is able to live without fear or discrimination," she said in an Aug. 27 tweet.
\u201cTrans and non-binary people shouldn't have to face invasive and dehumanizing screenings to travel. We must do better\u2014and I\u2019ll keep working to ensure that every trans and non-binary American is able to live without fear or discrimination. https://t.co/15HcJ17O94\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1566916700
The candidate -- who also had a booth at DragCon stocked with "LGBTQ+ for Warren" signs -- reminded attendees of the event if they share her values of an "America that works for everyone," they need to register to vote in the 2020 election, as well as their state and local races.
"If you're not registered, get registered," she said. "If you're not sure, double-check. Even if you're really sure, it never hurts to triple-check. When we make our voices heard ... we win."
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