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LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
The 2023 Out for America Report is Live!
We are so excited to share the 2023 Out for America report! Every year, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute publishes a look at the number and demographics of out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the United States. If you want to get into the details, you can browse the full report and all the key findings here.
The number of out elected officials increased by 13.6% and a record-breaking 1,185 are currently serving in elected office in the United States! There has been a 23.3% increase in LGBTQ+ elected officials of color, with Latinx and Middle Eastern and Arab American elected officials seeing the largest gains. Even more exciting? Since Out for America was first published in 2017, there has been a 164.5% increase in LGBTQ+ elected officials!
And you can see their impact across the headlines. Teen Vogue recently profiled U.S. Congresswoman Becca Balint, who’s using her seat to counter transphobia in Congressional hearings and expand mental health care access for young people – along with fellow LGBTQ+ U.S. representatives Eric Sorensen, Sharice Davids and Ritchie Torres.
Meanwhile, California Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins is leading the fight to expand resources for LGBTQ+ youth and outline California’s plans to increase equality. Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senate, Tammy Baldwin is taking steps to include LGBTQ+ information in mental health statistics. Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr recently joined The View to discuss her censure and her political future in Montana.
More representation means that for the first time, the trans flag was flown for Pride Month over the Madison, WI municipal buildings, thanks to the hard work of trans alderwoman Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford and out LGBTQ+ Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. It means that when anti-LGBTQ protests broke out at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s board meetings, out LGBTQ+ president Jackie Goldberg was there to stand up for equality. It means people like Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski, now serving in the Minnesota state legislature, can build a thriving community with other two-spirit and non-binary leaders – and make history on election night.
It also means that others are inspired to come out. Massachusetts Senate President pro tempore Will Brownsberger recently penned a note, coming out as bisexual!
Happy Pride!
Shield Laws for Trans Rights Sweeping the U.S.
A series of laws seeking to protect trans rights are sweeping the country! The latest state to pass such legislation? New York! Out LGBTQ+ state Assemblymember Harry Bronson and state Senator Brad Hoylman introduced this essential bill, which was signed into law during New York Pride by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Meet the New Victory Congressional Interns (VCIs)!
Our Summer VCIs are here! We are so proud to announce and introduce the Summer 2023 Victory Congressional Intern cohort. This cohort of 16 incredible emerging LGBTQ+ leaders are joining the 12th year of the program and continuing the legacy of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute to increase LGBTQ+ representation at all levels of government. Meet the Summer VCIs and learn more about them here!
The VCIs will be interning on the Hill for eight weeks, learning the ins-and-outs of life on Capitol Hill, forging strong links with partner organizations and like-minded groups and building their connections around D.C. Read their blog posts here!
Quick Calendar Updates (Mark These Dates)!
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute isn’t done training LGBTQ+ people to run for office – we have more dates on the calendar! Check out these events OR help us spread the word about these trainings.
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