This year, The Center has committed an unprecedented amount of effort and resources to turn out our community’s vote. Many journalists, advocacy groups and political strategists have branded the Nov. 2 election as the most important in generations. At The Center, we agree with that assessment. The stakes are extremely high. As LGBT Americans, we share in the universal concerns for homeland security, international relations, employment and the economy. But we have even more reasons to head to the polls this November.

In recent months, we’ve seen landmark gains for LGBT equality, but we’ve also seen unimaginable threats to our basic civil rights. We must show those who oppose our equality that playing political games with American lives won’t work. This is not a game for us – the stakes are too high.

Those of us who are eligible voters must not only view this election as an opportunity, but also as an obligation. That’s why The Center is leading a coalition of 40 local organizations in an unprecedented and unified effort to turn out the largest number of LGBT voters this November. Our voter mobilization effort – LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote! – aims to increase the percentage of LGBT voters in San Diego from 5 percent in previous elections to 7 percent in the upcoming election.

We’ve also spent the last year reaching out to potential LGBT voters – we’ve worked hard to register voters, educate voters and motivate voters. As part of our efforts to educate and motivate, The Center has been the point of connection for interested LGBT voters. We’ve hosted – and will continue to host – community forums to ensure that LGBT voters and our allies have access to information on the full range of issues before us this November.

For example, our recent mayoral candidate forum – the first in which both candidates appeared during this race – provided LGBT San Diegans with an opportunity to hear from the candidates directly, and to ensure that those seeking the city’s highest office hear the concerns of our community.

We’ve teamed up with KPBS to host an important election/political forum with Gloria Penner on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at The Center. Led by Penner, this informal discussion will focus on the upcoming elections and will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Our October Community Coalition Breakfast will also focus on voting and the importance of civic participation. The breakfast will take place on Friday, Oct. 15, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., and will feature compelling speakers discussing the importance of the November elections. Admission, including breakfast, is $6. For more information, contact AJ Davis, our director of public policy, at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212 or at adavis@thecentersd.org.

The Center and our community partners in the LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote! campaign will host a Get Out the Vote rally on Sunday, Oct. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This important community event will take place at the Old Trolley Barn Park (near Park Boulevard on Adams Avenue) and will include inspirational speakers and the opportunity to show the importance of our LGBT and allied voting bloc. Information will also be available about the upcoming elections, as well as signups for reminder phone calls and rides to the polls.

Lastly, something we are extremely proud of is that The Center is serving a polling place for the first time in a presidential election.

Together, we must do all we can to make sure we, along with our friends, family members and allies, are registered and that we get to the polls on Nov. 2.

We cannot be silent, or silenced, when our lives and our relationships continue to be topics of heated and hateful debate. This election isn’t a game, but it is a defining moment.

Let’s make it ours. Vote Nov. 2!