LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

SCOTUS' Anti-LGBTQ Ruling

News broke earlier this month that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a web designer who refused to design LGBTQ+ wedding websites, despite the revelation that the request that sparked the case did not exist. With this ruling, six Justices once again chose to overturn the Court’s own precedent.

We have said it before, and we will say it again: We MUST elect leaders who will take action to stop anti-equality leaders and the assault on LGBTQ+ rights. We cannot count on this Supreme Court to protect our hard-won rights.

LGBTQ+ leaders all over the country responded to the ruling, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Governors Maura Healey and Jarod Polis and more.

Global Leadership: the LGBTI Political Leaders from the Americas and the Caribbean Conference!

After months of dedicated planning, the LGBTI Political Leaders from the Americas and the Caribbean Conference finally arrived! Together with our partners, Caribe Afirmativo, Yaaj México, Diversidad Dominicana, Somos CDC, PROMSEX, #VoteLGBT, our Global team hosted LGBTQ+ leaders from around the globe in Mexico City!

Speakers included many notable leaders including former Peruvian Congressman Alberto de Belaunde, Deputy to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala Aldo Dávila, Victory Institute Senior Director of Global Programs Alhelí Partida and many more!

Mark your calendars – the next Conference will take place in Brazil in 2025!

Training LGBTQ+ Leaders in Ron DeSantis’ Backyard

We’re building LGBTQ+ political leadership in the South – and a lasting pipeline in Florida. Our Domestic team hosted a successful Candidate & Campaign Training in Orlando, Florida (right in Ron DeSantis’ backyard!). We trained 40 LGBTQ+ leaders and candidates (including our Victory Empowerment Fellows) on how to run winning campaigns.

Participants learned how to craft a field program, make a successful fundraising ask and heard from Florida’s LGBTQ+ elected officials about their experiences on the campaign trail. We had some incredible participants at this training. Read about the highlights (and check out photos) from the weekend!

Want to learn more about our Candidate & Campaign Trainings but not quite ready to sign up? Join us for a free, virtual Q&A on Tuesday, August 8 from 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm ET!

Already convinced and ready to sign up? Join us in Detroit for our final Candidate & Campaign Training of the year! Learn more and get all the details here.

SPOTLIGHT: International Non-Binary People’s Day!

July 14 was International Non-Binary People’s Day! Take some time to learn about the 20 non-binary & non-binary GNC leaders currently serving in public office around the U.S.

In the Twin Cities, MPRNews recently highlighted 13 trans and non-binary leaders who are making huge changes in the communities, like state Rep. Leigh Finke, state Rep. Alicia Kozlowski, Northfield City councilmember Davin Sokup and more!

As Oklahoma state Rep. Mauree Turner and New Hampshire state Rep. Alissandra Rodriguez Murray discussed with The Nation, serving as the only out non-binary person in a legislative body can be deeply isolating. That’s why we're working tirelessly to grow these numbers and close the representation gap. We don't have a seat at the tables of power until all of us can pull up a chair.

Michigan Close to Banning Conversion Therapy!

Excellent news from Michigan: it’s about to become the 22nd state to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy! LGBTQ+ state Representative Jason Hoskins called the bill “one less thing that LGBTQ children will have to worry about going forward in Michigan.” Longtime LGBTQ+ state Senator Jeremy Moss led the charge to pass the bill in the Senate, ensuring the bill will head to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. She signed the bill into law yesterday!

California Moves to Repeal Prop 8

It’s hard to believe, but California still has anti-marriage equality laws on the books. But thanks to many LGBTQ+ elected officials and leaders, the law is headed to the voters, who can chose to repeal it!

The California state Senate overwhelming voted to pass a constitutional amendment that would repeal Prop 8. Said state Senator Scott Wiener, “What we are doing today is joyous. What the voters, I believe, will do next year is joyous. This is about recognizing the fundamental humanity of all 40 million Californians.”

Out in Office: Washington state Senator Emily Randall on Representation

Washington State Senator Emily Randall recently spoke to Teen Vogue about serving as an out elected official, the pressures of being a historic first and what’s next in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Read the full piece here!

Congratulations Precious Brady-Davis!

Congratulations to Precious Brady-Davis, former Women Out to Win cohort member, who became the first out trans person to serve on a water reclamation district in the U.S AND the first Black out trans woman appointed to public office in Cook County!

Registration is OPEN! Take Advantage of our Early Bird Rate…

Every year, more than 600 LGBTQ+ elected officials, activists, leaders and allies from across the globe join Victory Institute in the nation’s capital to schmooze and strategize with colleagues. And it's almost time to gather once again: registration for the 2023 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference is now OPEN! Learn more about the Conference and our Early Bird registration rate (register before August 31st to save on your ticket!)