LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

NOW LIVE: the 2024 Out for America Report!

The 2024 Out for America report, our annual look at the number and demographics of out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the United States. If you want to get into the details, you can browse the full report and all the key findings here. Or, read the exclusive in NBC Out here!

Over the past year, an astonishing number of out candidates won their races, including many Victory Institute trainees and program participants who shattered lavender ceilings around the country. The number of out elected officials increased by 10% and a record-breaking 1,303 are currently serving in elected office in the United States! And in a new high, non-binary representation increased 69% since last year!

These are milestones to celebrate - and a clear sign that the hard work we're doing to support and grow LGBTQ+ political power is paying off. But there's still a lot of hard work to do. We still must elect 38,193 more LGBTQ+ people to achieve equitable representation.

On the Road: Global Work Continues

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute concluded a political leadership training in the Dominican Republic, focusing on security for LGBTQI+ leaders. The program covered international human rights, digital security, and situational awareness, with expert trainers providing strategies for safety in physical and digital spaces. The training aimed to equip LGBTQI+ leaders with essential tools for their political careers. For more details, visit the full blog post here!

IMPACT: LGBTQ+ Leaders Making Headlines

Exciting news from the Biden-Harris Administration: President Biden pardoned thousands of people negatively affected and discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”! This move will allow many veterans to access the services and benefits they have been denied.

Tucker Carlson, who never seems to learn from past anti-LGBTQ attacks, once again went after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s sexuality, claiming he was pretending to be gay. Yes, really.

Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Caucus honored the passing of former Representative Tim Sneller, who recently passed away. Read their touching testimonials here.

Idaho and West Virginia have both filed appeals over their trans sports ban with the Supreme Court. This comes weeks after news broke that the Court would hear arguments around gender-affirming care.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed a series of anti-trans bills into law.

California, meanwhile, has taken steps to ensure students and children are not outed to their parents. LGBTQ+ State Assemblymember Chris Ward introduced the legislation, citing the rising levels of anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric. Meet all the LGBTQ+ California state legislators here!

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has nominated five justices to the state’s court. Meet her nominees here!

The National League of Cities hosted America’s first out LGBTQ+ elected official, Kathy Kozachenko, and told her story. Read the full piece here!

Huge congratulations are in order for Virginia State Senator Danica Roem, who ran on the promise to fix the Beltway’s notorious Rt. 28. Great news: she’s gained a huge amount to fix the roads!

In 2020, Mauree Turner made history in Oklahoma and became the first out non-binary person elected to a state legislature in U.S. history. Then, in 2022, they were censured for speaking out on trans issues. Read about their time in office and their hopes for Oklahoma.

Ohio State Representative Jodi Whitted has a big goal in mind: repealing Ohio’s severely outdated ban on marriage equality. Read all about her work here!

Pennsylvania State Representatives Malcolm Kenyatta and Jessica Benham are pushing for marriage equality in the state once again! Read up on their hard work here.

Congratulations are in order for Sasha Renée Pérez, who was recently sworn in as Alhambra, CA Mayor! Sasha is also running for the California State Senate.

Fairfax Country School Board Member Karl Frisch was reelected as the Country School Board Chair! Karl’s tenure has been marked by pro-equality initiatives that protect LGBTQ+ kids.

Meet the 2024 Victory Empowerment Fellows!

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is proud to announce the ten 2024 Victory Empowerment Fellows! Meet the latest fellows here.

The Victory Empowerment Fellowship is a six-month fellowship for LGBTQ+ leaders of color and/or transgender leaders who seek to expand their campaign skills and policy-making power and to join a strong cohort of movement leaders from across the country. Since the Victory Empowerment Fellowship was launched in 2015, we have helped 97 LGBTQ+ leaders expand their skill sets and cultivate invaluable relationships. These individuals will take the tools obtained through the program back to their communities to change the current landscape of LGBTQ+ inequality. Congratulations to the new Fellows – learn more here!

Applications are now open for the 2024 Women Out to Win Cohort! The Women Out to Win Mentorship Program will provide participants with supportive programming and mentorship so that they can face campaign challenges head-on. Women Out to Win is an advanced campaign training that includes personalized coaching through mentorship to discuss challenges specific to women candidates, such as imposter syndrome, sexism, and fundraising. Learn more and apply here!

Registration is open: 2024 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference!

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 2024 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference is now OPEN! Learn more about the Conference and our Early Bird registration rate (save on your ticket - the Early Bird rate ends soon!)

2024’s Last LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summit!

You can now 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!