LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Live from the Democratic National Convention

In July, Vice President Kamala Harris officially became the nominee for the Democratic party. We joined many in celebrating her historic nomination, as well as her notable commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and the continued advancement of LGBTQ+ voices in her potential administration. A record number of LGBTQ+ delegates attended the Convention this year.

And with the Democratic National Convention in full swing, LGBTQ+ voices are loud and proud on the main stage. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, U.S Congressman Robert Garcia, Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta and more LGBTQ+ leaders graced the stage, bringing attention to LGBTQ+ equality and the fight to preserve our democracy.

But the highlight of the DNC – in our humble opinion – was when LGBTQ+ Victory Institute inducted the honorable Pete Buttigieg into the LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame at our Victory at the DNC event! Together with LGBTQ+ leaders, elected officials, allies and celebrities like Zachary Quinto and Wilson Cruz, we celebrated LGBTQ+ political power and our communities’ impending victory in 2024. Read an exclusive from The Advocate here or check out pictures from the event here!

Register Now – Key Deadlines are Fast Approaching!

You can now register for our last LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summit in Los Angeles! 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!

Applications are DUE SEPTEMBER 2ND 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!

The Early Bird Rate is Almost Over: Register Today for the 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 August 31st!)

On the Road: Global Work Continues

Victory Institute's Global team is bolstering LGBTQI+ political power in Colombia through a national gathering of newly elected LGBTQI+ officials! The training and event featured intensive training sessions and discussions aimed at empowering these officials to prioritize LGBTQI+ issues in local governance. The gathering marked a significant step in the ongoing push to enhance LGBTQI+ political participation and influence in Colombia, especially after a landmark election cycle with a substantial increase in LGBTQI+ candidacies. Read more here!

The Regional Observatory on LGBTIQ+ Political Participation, in which Victory Institute is a proud partner, documented the 2024 Mexican elections, which saw a historic number of LGBTQI+ candidates. Despite some progress, like the recognition of non-binary identities, challenges persist, including violence against candidates and the misuse of affirmative actions by political parties. While non-binary participation was notably high, the overall representation of LGBTQI+ individuals in elected positions remains limited, prompting calls for deeper reforms within political parties. Read the full report in English here or in Spanish here!

Celebrating Our Victory Congressional Interns & Fellow!

This summer, we proudly celebrated the graduation of our Victory Congressional Interns and Fellow. At the end of July, our Summer 2024 VCIs completed their program, culminating in a graduation ceremony that honored their remarkable achievements. Be sure to check out their final blog posts to learn more about their incredible journeys.

Our Victory Congressional Fellow, Oliver Williams, also concluded his program in June with a powerful research paper on how voter ID laws impact trans-Americans, shedding light on this critical issue.

Learn more about the Victory Congressional Internship and Fellowship programs and how they continue to empower LGBTQ+ leaders!