ATLANTA — Each vote represents a person - and every individual can help decide an election.
Campaigns are already underway to claim the White House, an effort that includes getting to the root of what the Georgia electorate really wants.
Meet one voter and what's motivating them this election season.
Meet Que J. Thomas, a formerly incarcerated pastor who has his voting rights restored. Que is also an openly transgender man fighting for equality in the LGBTQIA community.
Que J. Thomas is working to help the community after serving time behind bars for years. Originally from Canton, Ohio, Thomas was arrested while attending Albany State on a basketball scholarship. Que says he was hanging out with the wrong crowd and ended up with a felony conviction, sentenced to 29 years in the state penitentiary.
Thomas was released after 16 years and decided to give back to the community through song and ministry. He founded the R.E.E.L. Center of Atlanta, a place he and his wife Katina call a worship experience open to everyone. R.E.E.L stands for Reaching Everyone with Equality and Love.
“Incarceration is supposed to be rehabilitation, yet we are still in captivity, or bondage once we are released,” said Thomas.
Thomas was also able to have his voting rights restored, something he says many of his colleagues who were also once incarcerated have not been able to do. He says he wants to see that changed.
“I still have sisters and brothers that have been free for 10, 15, 20 years, and they have not regained the right to vote,” said Thomas.
Issues he cares about
Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People
“Ex felons and cons, I feel like their rights should be restored post-incarceration," said Thomas." That they are gainfully employed, they aren’t committing crimes, they aren’t on state supervision; I feel like that law should be changed because if I am good enough to pay taxes, if I am good enough to pay deals, I should be good enough to vote on my future on laws that could prevent me from being a successful citizen in society.”
He expressed that small changes in local issues can have a huge impact, and ultimately, he cares about "what's best for my neighbors."
Equality for members of the LGBTQIA Community
“This has been a journey to be likened to incarceration, living as an African American transgender male in the state of Georgia. Thank God for some of the laws that have protected me. I am also a pastor in Atlanta, it has not been accepted it hasn’t been comfortable,” said Thomas.
“I want to try to be a light and an open door for other LGBTQIA people and ex-felons in our African American community to let them know that nothing can hold you from being who you need to be,” said Thomas.
What are you optimistic about?
“I am optimistic that this country will retain and vote for the person that is over basically our livelihoods. So, I’m hopeful that the person that is able to transition into president will open the door for people of all colors, all economic status, of all religious denominations,” said Thomas. “I hope and pray that the person who is elected to president will cater to every community, every being that we can all live in peace and harmony."
Watch our Voice of the Voter segment during The Georgia Vote Sundays at 11 a.m. on WXIA.