Herbert, I knew I was gay in junior high — but I kept it from myself and my family for years.

As I run for Congress as a gay dad, I’m reminded of why I was scared to come out every single day:

I’m sharing them because this is the world Donald Trump and his MAGA Establishment want to make the norm — one where strangers feel entitled to dehumanize my family and expect the rest of us to shrug it off as background noise. I won’t. Not anymore.

Herbert, I need 179 more gifts before midnight to turn this hate into a fundraising surge for my campaign and win in a race that experts say could decide the House majority. Will you chip in $15 before midnight? >>

This is what it looks like to run for Congress as a gay dad.

This is what it looks like to raise a daughter with my husband in the public eye.

This is the kind of hate that doesn’t stay hidden behind screens — it seeps into real life and into government policy.

I’ll be honest with you, Herbert: I’m done ignoring this. Hate thrives in darkness — we have to pull it into the light and say that it’s not okay.

Herbert, if people want to send this kind of hate, then I’m going to make sure the whole country sees exactly what they’re saying. I’m going to show voters what LGBTQ families still face — not in 2005, not in history books, but right now, in 2025.

If they think their attacks will shame or scare me into silence, they’re wrong. In fact, here’s what I decided: If they’re going to attack my family publicly, then I’m going to turn every one of these messages into fuel for the campaign that proves them wrong.

The MAGA Establishment is betting that cruelty can carry them across the finish line. They’re pouring $917K into this race because they know it could determine control of the House. They’re counting on these attacks to wear us down. But I won’t give up.

Herbert, here’s the rule I’m setting for myself from now until Election Day: When a hateful message lands in my inbox, I’m not going to ignore it or bury it. I’m going to show it — and I’m going to fundraise off it. If someone thinks attacking my family is good politics, they can help pay for the organizing that beats them.

So I’m starting right now: I need 179 gifts before midnight to flip this moment into momentum — calls made, doors knocked, ads placed — so their cruelty doesn’t get the last word. Will you chip in $15 before midnight? >>

Thank you for helping me turn their attacks into our advantage,

Jordan Wood