John,

A quick case study for you. In Virginia, anti-equality forces held a super-majority in both chambers until 2017 (the same year Danica Roem became the first openly trans state legislator ever elected!). The super-majority used their power to pass a ban on marriage equality and other extreme anti-LGBTQ legislation. In 2019, pro-equality forces flipped the state legislature, but it wouldn’t have happened without reelecting all our LGBTQ Virginia state legislators.

Last year, the Victory Fund family raised over $127,000 for our LGBTQ incumbents in Virginia. And the investment paid off big time. All of our LGBTQ candidates won, and now the pro-equality majority is passing law after law in support of LGBTQ people. But we aren’t done. This year, we're going to help flip state legislatures in Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia and more. Will you chip in today to break anti-equality super majorities and support LGBTQ candidates?

Here's why control of state legislatures matters, friend. Since regaining control of the legislature, our LGBTQ candidates have been busy righting wrongs. Here's just a sample of the bills the Virginia Senate has passed so far:

They've also voted to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, relaunching the push to legalize women's equality. Openly LGBTQ Senator Adam Ebbin has introduced legislation that would modernize discrimination laws in public employment and housing sectors, while Delegate Danica Roem is vocally advocating for the passage of comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for all LGBTQ Virginians (spoiler: it passed the House and Senate). We're confident that this is just the start.

We firmly believe that every state legislature should operate like Virginia's and have a slate of amazing LGBTQ electeds passing pro-equality legislation. But right now there are STILL states that haven't elected ANY LGBTQ state legislators or have only elected a handful of brave advocates. We must reelect our amazing incumbents and a new wave of LGBTQ candidates, flipping anti-equality legislatures. Donate today to make it happen.

Thanks again for your support,

Elliot Imse

Senior Director of Communications, LGBTQ Victory Fund