LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

REGISTER NOW: Few Spots Left for the Our February Candidate & Campaign Training!

Join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for an upcoming LGBTQ+ Candidate & Campaign Training to learn the art and science behind running for office. Our signature 4-day bootcamp trainings provide comprehensive, non-partisan best practices to present and future LGBTQ+ candidates, campaign staff, and community leaders. Our first training of the year: in Phoenix, AZ in this February! Spots are filling up fast – don’t wait. Learn more and register here!

Our Global Team Hits the Road: Trainings Across Latin America!

Victory Institute’s Global team is starting the new year busy and excited! Our efforts to train LGBTQ+ leaders and expand political participation continue. They will be leading on three simultaneous training programs in Latin America and the Caribbean:

Honduras & Peru
In the summer of 2023, we coordinated with our local partners SOMOS CDC in Honduras and Promsex in Peru to launch two training programs. Now, these individual leadership training programs are over halfway complete! From January 19-22nd, each partner will be holding their 3rd module of their respective trainings, which will center on Political Security. Trainees will acquire the tools to face the risks and challenges of political campaigns.

Mexico
Our long-awaited leadership training program in Mexico is almost here! It could not begin at a more important time. Starting on January 25th our Global team, along with local partners Yaaj México, will officially be kicking off their program in the heart of the country, Mexico City. With a focus on Advocacy and Structure of the State, the training modules will be held monthly just in time leading up to Mexico’s elections on June 2, 2024.

Our kickoff in Mexico City also comes during a month of loss, anger, remembrance and hope for LGBTQ+ leaders in Mexico. Dr. Samantha Gómes, a pre-candidate to Mexican Senate as well as selected to participate in the program, was killed in hate crime on Saturday, January 13. We will commemorate Dr. Gómes’ legacy during the Mexico training program, supporting our trainees in this difficult time by giving them tools to continue the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equal political participation.

Quick Hits: Elected Officials Taking Action Across the World

Europe has gained new two out leaders: French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Irish Minister of state at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers! Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker dubbed Attal's appointment a “powerful statement.”

Around the U.S., LGBTQ+ elected officials are being sworn into office. Here’s what they’ve been up to since the start of session…

As certain states seek to rollback LGBTQ+ rights, others are stepping up to provide refuge. Maine is the latest state to introduce legislation aiming to protect trans people seeking gender-affirming healthcare. While the bill is good news, it has (unsurprisingly) caused anti-trans bigots to make outlandish and harmful claims.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin paused to reflect on the one-year anniversary of The Respect for Marriage Act, calling it “a magical day.”

Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell are working to expand the states’ use of baby bonds, ensuring future generations have a step up.

Moms for Liberty recently came to New York, expecting a warm welcome. Instead, state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal held them accountable for their hate.

In Nebraska, state Senators Megan Hunt and John Fredrickson announced their legislative priorities for 2024.

Florida has been making headlines for more anti-LGBTQ legislation. Luckily, state Senator Shevrin Jones and state Representative Michele Rayner are both on hand to hold the Governor and his bigoted bills accountable.

In Virginia, LGBTQ+ elected officials have gotten right to work. Danica Roem, who recently made history as the state’s first out trans state Senator, took office and is hard at work ensuring free school lunches for kids. Meanwhile, state Senator Adam Ebbin, Delegate Mark Sickles and Delegate Rozia Henson are working to repeal Virginia’s outdated marriage equality laws, ensuring the state will truly be for lovers.

Hawaii state Representative Adrian Tam is fighting for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality! Read about Adrian’s important work here.

Out elected official Karl Frisch was named the School Board Chair of the Fairfax County School Board! Karl, who made history as the first out LGBTQ+ person elected to the board, has pushed for more equality and fought to preserve LGBTQ+-positive education.

Toledo Public Schools Board President Sheena Barnes shared a resolution passed by the school board aiming to protect trans people in Ohio. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently issued an executive order banning gender-affirming care.

Quick Hits: Elected Officials Taking Action Across the World

Join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for an upcoming LGBTQ+ Candidate & Campaign Training bootcamp to learn the art and science behind running for office. Our signature 4-day trainings provide comprehensive, non-partisan best practices to present and future LGBTQ+ candidates, campaign staff, and community leaders. Can’t join us in Phoenix? Check out future trainings in Charlotte, NC (April 2024) and Chicago, IL (July 2024). To learn more and apply, visit: https://victoryinstitute.org/cct

Join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for our FREE half-day LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summit. Our program guides participants on the initial steps of running for office and channeling their political power. With the support of local LGBTQ+ Elected Officials and organizational partners, the Summit is a first step for LGBTQ+ people who may want to run for office or help other LGBTQ+ people become political leaders. Our LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summits will be held in Columbus, OH (March 2024), San Antonio, TX (May 2024), and Los Angeles, CA (September 2024). To learn more and register, visit: https://victoryinstitute.org/pls