When I came out in college

[Mark Kelly for Senate]  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Hey everybody, it’s Mark Kelly. My friend Tammy {NAME} is running for re-election to the Senate in 2024, and we’re working to support her. I hope you’ll read the message below from her, and [consider splitting a donation between Tammy's campaign and mine.]( Hi there, can I share something with you? When I came out in college, I knew I was interested in a career in public service. But I feared that I would have to face a serious choice between pursuing the field of my dreams or living my authentic life openly. [An old photo of Tammy {NAME} as a young person.]( After seeing others in the LGBTQ+ community demonstrate acts of courage by coming out, being themselves, and being public about who they are and who they love, I came to realize that I could do both: I could run for office and be honest about who I am — so that’s exactly what I did. When I became the first openly gay Senator elected in our nation’s history, I understood that I needed to use this extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. From lowering prescription drug prices to protecting same-sex marriage through the Respect for Marriage Act, I’ve worked hard every day since to do just that. That's why I ran for office in the first place — not to make history, but to make a difference. And folks like you supported me because you wanted to make a difference, too. [I’m facing my most competitive and expensive reelection yet, so I can’t keep up this work without your help. Will you help me continue to make a difference by splitting a donation between Mark Kelly and my reelection campaign today?]( [DONATE NOW]( We have made incredible progress over the years in the fight for equality — but everybody, we cannot mistake that progress for a total victory. Republican-led state legislatures across the country continue to pass harmful legislation, especially targeting the transgender community and LGBTQ+ youth. In 2024 alone, 515 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the country. It’s going to take all of us to counter these right wing attacks so everyone grows up knowing they belong, and that kindness and inclusion — not hatred and division — are American values. [This Pride Month, I’m hoping you’ll support this important work by splitting a donation between Mark Kelly and my reelection campaign to send me back to the United States Senate.]( If you've stored your info with ActBlue, we'll process your contribution instantly: [Donate $3]( [Donate $25]( [Donate $50]( [Donate $100]( [Donate $250]( [Other Amount]( Thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s recommit ourselves to work towards the day when all LGBTQ+ Americans can live in a world where they feel safe, accepted, and loved. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 — Tammy Paid For By Mark Kelly for Senate This email was sent to [{EMAIL}](#). Email is a very important way we communicate with supporters like you, but if you want to, you can [unsubscribe here](. Mark Kelly was a Captain in the U.S. Navy and astronaut. Use of his military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense and reference to NASA does not imply endorsement by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.