Within less than 24 hours of Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement that she would run for president following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, a significant wave of support from the LGBTQ community emerged across various social media platforms. This immediate and enthusiastic response has been characterized by a creative and campy blend of pop culture and political commentary, reflecting the unique engagement of queer supporters with Harris’s candidacy.

Viral Content and Social Media Reactions

The internet quickly buzzed with activity as a supercut video of Harris laughing, set to Charli XCX’s song from the album "Brat," garnered significant attention, amassing over 1.3 million views within a brief period. This viral video exemplifies the playful and celebratory tone adopted by many queer internet users in reaction to Harris’s candidacy.

In the hours following the announcement, images and videos began circulating of individuals on Fire Island Pines, a popular LGBTQ-friendly beach on Long Island, New York. These individuals were seen wearing cropped T-shirts in a vibrant lime green—matching Charli XCX’s album color—with “Kamala” emblazoned on the front in the album’s distinctive typeface. A social media user remarked on the swift pace of the support, stating, “BRAT Kamala shirts already on Fire Island. The gays move SO FAST.”

The enthusiasm extended to various social media platforms where queer users expressed their support through memes and video content. A user on X (formerly Twitter) declared, “BIDEN IS OUT! MOTHER KAMALA... IT’S YOUR TIME,” utilizing the term "mother" in a campy, queer-coded manner. Another tweet playfully referenced lyrics from Chappell Roan’s song “Casual,” noting, “knee deep in the passenger’s seat and Biden dropped out is it Kamala now?”

Cultural References and Symbolism

On TikTok, Harris was humorously likened to Bette Porter, a character from “The L Word” known for her commanding presence and iconic pantsuits. One TikTok post celebrated this comparison with the caption, “Bette Porter walked so Madam President Kamala Harris could runnnn,” underscoring the queer community's embrace of Harris's candidacy.

Additionally, Harris’s speech referencing coconuts was creatively linked to Kim Petras’s song “Coconuts.” The coconut emoji and related imagery have become symbols of support for Harris, with a user on X exclaiming, “All aboard the coconut express!!!” alongside a video featuring Harris and RuPaul’s song “Call Me Mother.”

Support from LGBTQ Organizations and Leaders

Harris’s candidacy has garnered substantial support from prominent LGBTQ rights organizations and individuals. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ advocacy organization in the United States, highlighted her efforts as California’s Attorney General in addressing the gay/trans panic defense—a legal strategy allowing perpetrators of violent crimes to receive lesser sentences by claiming they were provoked by a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Furthermore, Harris has received endorsements from 10 of the 12 openly LGBTQ members of Congress, including Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Laphonza Butler of California, and Representatives Angie Craig of Minnesota, Ritchie Torres of New York, Becca Balint of Vermont, and Mark Takano of California.

Criticism and Controversies

Despite the enthusiastic support, Harris’s campaign has not been without controversy. Some segments of the LGBTQ community have raised concerns about her stance on various issues, including the Biden administration’s policies on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Drag performer and activist Pattie Gonia criticized Harris on Instagram, stating, “Kamala, you will have our votes when you end U.S. support of genocide in Gaza. Simple as that.”

Additionally, Harris has faced criticism related to her role as California Attorney General, particularly for her opposition to a trans woman’s request for gender-affirming surgery in prison in 2015. At an LGBTQ presidential forum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2019, Harris addressed this issue by explaining her efforts to influence the California Department of Corrections to change its policy on trans inmates’ healthcare, as reported by The Advocate. She pledged, “I commit to you that always in these systems there are going to be these things that these agencies do. And I will commit myself, as I always have, to dealing with it.”

Conclusion

In summary, Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign has experienced a remarkable surge of creative and enthusiastic support from the LGBTQ community, marked by viral content, cultural references, and symbolic gestures. This vibrant engagement highlights the intersection of pop culture and politics, underscoring Harris’s unique appeal within the queer community. While her candidacy has been met with significant enthusiasm, it has also faced scrutiny, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of political support and opposition.