The first day of the Democratic National Convention is officially behind us.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, last night in Philadelphia, speakers from the Democratic party took to the podium to discuss issues, Hillary Clinton's qualifications for President, and to highlight why Donald Trump is unfit to lead the nation.
This, after last week when the eyes of the nation were on Cleveland, Ohio where Donald Trump sealed the Republican nomination for President at the Republican National Convention.
Yes, the first day of the DNC has come and gone, and if there is one thing we learned from the events of the day, it's that the DNC and RNC are veerrrry different events. Allow us to explain what led us to this conclusion...
1. Random acts of inclusion
A gluten-free zone? A gender-neutral bathroom? We're willing to bet those weren't things that existed in Cleveland.
Excellent work, DNC. Very thoughtful.
2. A focus on Diversity
Speeches from Spanish-speakers speaking Spanish! Crowds with people of all different races/ethnicities/genders/ages/incomes/backgrounds! Discussions about how diversity is something that strengthens us! People talking about the need to tear down walls that divide us rather than build them up!
Who are those people who want to build a wall? Oh, right. The RNC.
3. LGBTQ folks everywhere
NBC News reports that there is a record number of LGBTQ democratic delegates this year, with LGBTQ folks make up 11.5 percent of the total group. Additionally, there were several LGBTQ speakers, including the first openly-gay NBA player Jason Collins. It was also announced that HRC national press secretary Sarah McBride would address the convention on Thursday, which will make her the first trans person in history to do so.
Meanwhile at the RNC, Mike Pence -- Mr. Anti-LGBTQ himself -- is the official nominee for Vice President.
4. Celebrities for days
While the RNC had us all Googling who Scott Baio even is and wishing Duck Dynasty never became a thing, the DNC brought out some real heavy hitters, including Sarah Silverman, Paul Simon, Eva Longoria, and Demi Lovato. And that's just day one; there's a ton of celebs lined up throughout the rest of the week.
5. "Love trumps hate."
These gorgeous signs -- something that would NEVER be seen at the RNC -- were all over the convention floor.
6. The hypocrisy of Pence and Trump
The RNC praised Trump and Pence while seemingly refusing to admit they have any flaws, but the DNC was not afraid to call them out on a few things; namely, Pence's history of anti-LGBT policies and Trump's business failures.
7. FLOTUS
First Lady Michelle Obama delivered easily one of the most powerful and memorable speeches of the night (of all time), helping us to continue thinking about just how much we're going to miss having her as our FLOTUS.
And, while many saw that Michelle's words seemed to have made an appearance at the RNC, the amazing woman herself did not.
8. "America is great."
Trump and his RNC wanted to tell us that America needs to go back to a level of greatness we once had; the DNC wants to remind us that, though we've evolved, we never stopped being great. In fact, that evolution is part of why we're still great.
