Dear ,

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your support and dedication over the past year to our shared vision for creating a better Philadelphia. 

We did it!

These three words still echo with the weight of a historic victory. I am honored and humbled to share that I am now the first openly LGBTQ+ person ever elected to Philadelphia City Council. This achievement is a testament to the collective effort of people like you who helped build our campaign from the ground up.

Your support has been the driving force behind our win. For that, I will always be profoundly grateful.

This victory also belongs to the people whose incredible and courageous work paved the way for LGBTQ+ inclusivity and acceptance in Philadelphia, such as, John C. Anderson, Ethel Allen, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, Jaci Adams, Charlene Arcila, Michael Hinson – and my dear friend and personal hero, Gloria Casarez. Their legacies live on in our continued fight for justice and equity.

Our win was significant, but the work is ongoing. Together, we must continue to support marginalized communities and ensure that the LGBTQ+ community is fully represented. While I am the first, I will not be the last.

As I prepare to enter City Hall as an At-Large Councilmember in January, I want every Philadelphian to know that I am here for them. My vision for Philadelphia is rooted in my experience and dedication to public service. As a longtime civil rights and housing attorney and activist, I am committed to tackling the pressing issues affecting our city, like gun violence, neighborhood disinvestment, and access to affordable housing. I believe in a brighter future for Philadelphia, and I can’t wait to get to work. 

Thank you again for your support. This historic victory belongs to all of us.

With gratitude,

Rue Landau

Philadelphia City Councilmember-Elect