LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Meet our first three Conference speakers and check out the agenda!

We’re once again preparing for another amazing International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference – and we shared big announcements...

First, the Conference agenda is now live (check out the full agenda here). And you can learn more about the first three announced speakers: U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Delaware state Senator Sarah McBride and Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr will all be joining Victory Institute on stage! Don’t wait: register for the Conference here!

You can also volunteer at the Conference! By contributing just 6 hours between November 30th and December 2nd, you'll receive free conference registration and the opportunity to connect with inspiring LGBTQ+ elected officials and advocates. To get involved, please reply to this email. Don't miss out on this chance to contribute, connect, and create change with us!

Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month!

Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! Have you checked out Pride & Progress? It's our comprehensive history of political power in the United States and the LGBTQ+ Victory Hall of Fame. Click here to see highlights from decades of LGBTQ+ political power and learn about the LGBTQ+ Victory Hall of Fame!

You can also learn more about some of Vermont’s historic LGBTQ+ firsts and read about the piece of history standing in U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan’s office.

Laphonza Butler Shatters a Lavender Ceiling in the U.S. Senate

California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed EMILYs List President Laphonza Butler to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat in the U.S. Senate. This is a historic moment: Laphonza will the first out LGBTQ+ Black person to ever serve in the body. She’s also the first out LGBTQ+ Senate Judiciary Committee member!

Laphonza is a champion for building a more inclusive and representative government and will certainly be a champion for women, people of color and LGBTQ+ people in the U.S Senate.

LGBTQ+ Appointees Bullied by Bigoted Extremists

During a debate on the defense appropriations bill, U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert proposed reducing Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness Shawn Skelly's to $1 before launching a transphobic rant. She went onto say that Assistant Secretary Skelly, a more than qualified retired Navy Officer, was "playing dress up and imaginary games."

And if all this wasn't bad enough, Libs Of TikTok (a notorious anti-LGBTQ+ grifter known for doxing children's events at libraries) attacked spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, Tyler Cherry. Tyler's crime? Being a qualified, out and proud LGBTQ+ appointee. The White House has condemned the attack.

Quick Hits: Updates in LGBTQ+ Politics

Happy National Coming Out Day! Hear from King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove’s decision to come out 25 years ago. From Massachusetts, Althea Garrison spoke with The 19th about her place in history – and how she’s stepping forward to claim it.

The tools to lead: PrideSource covered our last Candidate & Campaign Training in Detroit! Read the full piece here.

There are currently three LGBTQ+ Governors serving in the U.S. – and they’re all fighting to make the world a more inclusive place. Read the full story from The Advocate here!

Nashville’s newest Councilmember, Olivia Hill, made history as the first out trans person elected to public office in Tennessee. She – and Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker – spoke with CNN about achieving this historic first, and why more trans people should run for office.

Huge congratulations are in order for Delaware state Senator Sarah McBride and Delaware state Representative Eric Morrison: they’ve successfully banned the “gay panic defense”! Delaware is the 17th state to ban the defense.