LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

New April Endorsement Slate

Victory Fund is proud to announce that we’ve added 32 more LGBTQ+ candidates to this month’s endorsement slate, bringing us to 132 LGBTQ+ candidates total in 2023! We’ve endorsed candidates running for state representative to city council and school board seats – every race is important for greater representation and LGBTQ+ rights.

Check out of list of newly endorses candidates here.

Meet Spotlight Candidate Fabian Nelson

Fabian Nelson will be the first out LGBTQ+ official elected to Mississippi state legislature. As an activist, Fabian ensured that 30 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the state legislature failed to pass!

“Nelson said effectuating real change is possible when pro-equality candidates run for office, fight for their constituents, establish relationships with colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”

Fabian’s background as a small business owner, a foster parent and a public health advocate has instilled his work to give back to the community. In the state legislature, he’ll find avenues to support public schools, expand health care and stand up for equality. Read more about Fabian’s work and dedication to the community here.

We’re Standing with state Rep. Zooey Zephyr

Earlier this week, Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr was censured by her colleagues in the state legislature for her refusal to stay quiet about gender affirming care and trans rights. Her censure is an anti-Democratic and transphobic action committed by the Montana legislature. The vote was along party lines.

Zooey's censure comes after Oklahoma state Representative Mauree Turner’s censure in March. Rep. Turner was the first out non-binary person elected to a state legislature in U.S. history. They faced censure for sheltering a pro-trans protestor as Oklahoma debated their own slate of horrific bills and have received threats since the censure.

Fighting for gender affirming care WILL save lives.

Zooey and Mauree are on the right side of history - and many activist, LGBTQ+ leaders and allies are standing with them. More than 50 out LGBTQ+ state legislators signed an open letter signaling their support for Zooey.

We're so proud that they have continue to fight for LGBTQ+ folks and never gave into transphobic pressures to stay quiet. Leaders like Zooey are why we work so hard to elect LGBTQ+ folks in all offices across the country – and ensure trans people have an equal seat at the tables of power.

Coming Up: Massachusetts Special Elections

Two of our new endorsees, Celia Segel and John Moran, are running in the Massachusetts House special election on May 30th. Celia will be the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent the 10th Suffolk District and John will be the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent the Suffolk 9th District!

Celia and John are both strong pro-choice, pro-equality candidates advocating for affordable housing in Boston.

Celia: “ So many of our neighbors wrestle with deeply personal decisions about if they can afford to have another child and stay in our communities, and how they can support their parents and grandparents who need someone nearby as they age.”

John: “Moran, who spent part of his childhood in Scranton living in public housing, says he, too, wants to press for more funding for affordable housing.”

Rue’s Ready to Run – and Lead on the Philly City Council

It's hard to believe, but the city of Philadelphia has never elected an out LGBTQ+ person to their city council. Longtime LGBTQ+ activist, civil rights attorney and Spotlight candidate Rue Landau is running to shatter that lavender ceiling.

When asked about her historic campaign in a recent interview with LGBTQ+ Nation, Rue stated; “All of the work I’ve done has naturally led up to this point. We're facing tremendous challenges here in the city of Philadelphia, and I believe that I have the vision, the track record, and the relationships to get things done.” Read the full interview here!

Rue's primary is on May 16 (right around the corner!). Read about her campaign here.

“Clendenin elected Tampa’s 1st out LGBTQ+ council member”

Victory Fund candidate Alan Clendenin won his race for the Tampa City Council! He'll represent District 1. Because of supporters like you, Alan will now be the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve on the Tampa City Council!

Now, as an energetic LGBTQ+ representative in Tampa politics, Alan is focused on defending the LGBTQ+ community from the recent rise in attacks, along with improving the city's roads, affordable housing opportunities, and safety.

Progress in Kansas City as LGBTQ+ People Push Back

Kansas City is making strides for trans folks in the Midwest by moving towards becoming a safe-haven for gender affirming care. This move comes after the state legislature banned conversion therapy in Jackson County, MO just last week.

Missouri, as a state, is making it more difficult for trans and nonbinary folks to receive care, but Victory alums like Justice Horn, and candidates like Justin Short are the last line of defense for LGBTQ+ rights. Justin is running for a Kansas City council seat and will be the first out gay man elected to the Kansas City Council!

Interested in learning more about the fight for equality in Missouri? Join us for our Victory in Kansas City Reception on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm CT!

“Culture Wars” on the Ballot in the Midwest

Earlier this month, Wisconsin and Illinois saw an influx of LGBTQ+ candidates elected to local offices, who are pushing back on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and bills at the local level.

Victory Fund winning candidates like Kimberly Cavill (the first out bisexual member of the Township, IL School Board), Jessie Fuentes (the first out LGBTQ+ Afro-Latina elected to the Chicago City Council), and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (the first queer Asian-American woman on the Chicago City Council) reflect true values that voters are looking in candidates – contrary to loud, bigoted talking points from opponents. These wins in Illinois and Wisconsin go to show that folks are looking for candidates with real plans rather than “crusades against critical race theory and transgender students.”

School Board races are undeniably important for ongoing LGBTQ+ support on the local level. There are more legislative attacks than ever, many of them targeting rights and visibility for LGBTQ+ youth. These candidates are now in office to stand against hate – and build a lasting pipeline of LGBTQ+ leadership across the Midwest.