LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Honoring Harvey Milk’s Legacy

Celebrating Harvey Milk Day is vital in honoring the enduring legacy of one of the most influential figures in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Harvey Milk, one of the first out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the United States, tirelessly championed equality and inspired countless individuals to pursue justice and representation. His legacy encourages people to follow in his footsteps, promoting visibility and advocacy within political arenas. Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker recently penned a blog post encouraging more LGBTQ+ people to follow his legacy and run for office. Read the full piece here!

The 2024 David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship

For more than 20 years, Victory Institute and the David Bohnett Foundation have sent hundreds of LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials for a month-long leadership development course at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. These leaders leave the program and fellowship better prepared to lead in their legislatures and workplaces and are primed to advance their political or government work.

This year, we have seven incredible new fellows to announce to you – including five from states actively attacking working to undermine the rights of our community. You can click their name to learn more:

Tippi McCullough, Minority Leader & Arkansas State Representative
Kameron Nelson, Minority Whip & South Dakota State Representative
Jason Hoskins, Michigan State Representative
Fabian Nelson, Mississippi State Representative
Zooey Zephyr, Montana State Representative
Victor Aguilar, Jr., San Leandro (CA) City Councilmember
Rachel Bell, General Sessions Court, Division VIII (8) & Music City Community Court, Presiding Judge

IMPACT: LGBTQ+ Leaders Making Headlines

The Biden-Harris Administration has appointed 200 federal judges – and dozens are LGBTQ+!

We have a new LGBTQ+ elected official for you to meet: Molly Cook recently made LGBTQ+ history as the first out person ever elected to the Texas state senate! Congratulations Molly on this enormous victory.

In Rhode Island, State Senators Tiara Mack and Sam Bell are leading the charge to standardize the legal name change process! This will help trans and non-binary people, as well as domestic violence survivors.

Pro-equality elected officials in Arizona have successfully repealed the state’s archaic, Civil War abortion ban! LGBTQ+ representatives Lorena Austin, Oscar De Los Santos and Analise Ortiz all celebrated the repeal of the ban.

Now that the session has ended, Colorado state Representative Brianna Titone is celebrating a slate of successful legislation. Check it out here!

Exciting news from Minnesota: the state legislature has passed the Equal Rights Amendment! State Representative Leigh Finke celebrated the historic passage.

Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr penned an op-ed in The Hill detailing her experiences playing sports as a young trans person. Read the full piece here!

On the Road: Global Work Continues

Explore the inspiring stories of LGBTQI candidates making history in the Dominican Republic! Learn about the groundbreaking electoral campaigns that are challenging the status quo and paving the way for greater inclusivity and representation. These courageous individuals are transforming the political landscape and advocating for LGBTQI rights. Don't miss out on these powerful narratives—read more here!

Our team also closed our training program in Mexico, ending an intense and first-of-its-kind training after 5 months of study. Learn all about our work in Mexico here!

LGBTIQ+ political participation in the Americas is on the rise! LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, alongside our partners Caribe Afirmativo from Colombia, Yaaj Transformando tu Vida A.C. from Mexico, SOMOS CDC from Honduras, Diversidad Dominicana from Dominican Republic, Promsex, Centro de promocion y defensa de derechos sexuales y reproductivos from Peru, launched the Regional Observatory on Political Participation of LGBTIQ+ People in the Americas and the Caribbean. Read all about it here!

Leadership in San Antonio and More!

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute hosted its second Public Leadership Summit of 2024 in San Antonio, TX. The half-day event gathered over 25 participants, including LGBTQ+ elected officials, candidates, and activists, to discuss LGBTQ+ representation and running for office. Key attendees included San Antonio City Councilperson Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Texas State Representative Josey Garcia, and Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez. The summit concluded with a networking reception, fostering community connections. Read about the event here!

Want to get involved? Join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for a FREE virtual Time2Run webinar to learn about how to take the first steps to run for office as an LGBTQ+ person. This 1-hour webinar will discuss strategies for victory and why it is especially important for more trans folks, women, people of color, young folks to be a part of the decision-making process in our country. Click here to register for the FREE Time2Run Webinar on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm ET.

You can also register for the next 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 last LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summits will be held in Los Angeles, CA (September 2024). Learn more and register here!

Already ready to run? LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for an upcoming LGBTQ+ Candidate & Campaign Training 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. Our next and final training of 2024 is our Midwestern Candidate & Campaign Training – Chicago, IL! Register today!