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RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC

Disclaimer: the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic remains in flux and the below represents a small sample of available information. We urge you to follow the advice of official sources like the CDC, WHO and your local health officials for pertinent health information and medical updates.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin asked the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate President Trump's claims that a malaria drug could treat COVID-19.

As Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine is keeping her state safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. After online trolls sent Dr. Levine anti-trans hate mail, the rest of social media jumped to her defense.

In order to make the best decisions for Oregon, Governor Kate Brown convened a statewide panel of experts to provide advice and guidance.

Our two openly LGBTQ Attorneys General, Maura Healey and Dana Nessel, joined Victory Institute for an update on their efforts to flatten the curve and protect citizens during the pandemic.

U.S. Representative Sharice Davids worked to secure further funding for small businesses and frontline workers during the latest Congressional negotiations.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor appeared on Fox News to praise city residents for flattening the curve and following correct social distancing procedures.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is also urging her citizens to stay home if they're able. Her methods even made her a meme!

California state Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Todd Gloria urged Governor Gavin Newsom to collect data on COVID-19's impact on the LGBTQ community.

Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod urged Colorado to start collecting and distributing accurate data on the race of those who tested positive for COVID-19, pointing to disparities in care.

Florida state Representative Shevrin Jones moderated a virtual town hall with presumptive Democratic nominee for President Joe Biden to discuss the numerous issues facing front line workers.

Virginia Delegate Danica Roem spoke with Vice President of Victory Institute Ruben Gonzales about the urgent need for more LGBTQ representation in government. Watch their conversation on Facebook Live here!

The LGBTQ members of the Georgia state legislature spoke with Project Q about how their lives and work have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After seeing indisputable data that minority communities are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, Atlanta Councilman Antonio Brown jumped into action to address the situation and alert the Governor. Learn about his work here.

Palm Springs Councilmember Lisa Middleton joined Ruben for an update on COVID-19's impact on her community and her experience as a Victory Empowerment Fellow.

NATIONAL OUT TO WIN DAY AND MORE GOOD NEWS

On April 2nd, we celebrated the second National Out to Win Day! Every April 2nd (the date when the first openly LGBTQ person, Kathy Kozachenko, won public office in the United States) we encourage LGBTQ people to run for public office until equitable representation is achieved.

And we weren't the only ones to celebrate and encourage a new generation of LGBTQ leaders. Former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and future Congresswoman Gina Ortiz Jones agree!

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin penned an op-ed in The New York Times to honor the day and call for more LGBTQ people to run for public office.

Virginia Delegate Danica Roem spoke to The Advocate about her chance to stand up for trans youth and the value of having a trans voice at the table.

Delegate Roem and Colorado state Representative Brianna Titone entered into a friendly wager for whose state can rank higher for completed 2020 Census questionnaires. If you haven't filled out the 2020 Census yet, you can do so here!

Vernetta Alston was nominated to the North Carolina House of Representatives. She was sworn in earlier this month!

Congratulations are in order for Metro Council Member Nancy VanReece, who was named one of Nashville's 2020 Women of Influence! Keep up the amazing work!

VICTORY AROUND THE WORLD

Adapting to the global pandemic, Victory Institute and Diversidad Dominicana decided to hold the next Leadership Academy in the Dominican Republic virtually. We are excited to continue our work in the country despite the circumstances. While applications for this training are closed, you can learn more about the program here!

Earlier this year, Victory Institute trainee Aldo Dávila become Guatemala's first openly LGBTQ Congressman. He's already using his platform to make a huge impact.

Ruben also spoke with Peruvian Congressman and 2019 winner of the Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award Alberto de Belaunde about the state of politics in Peru and how COVID-19 has impacted the new legislative session.

Bogotá Mayor Claudia López - the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to hold the position - recently appointed Victory Institute trainee David Alonzo as her Director of Sexual Diversity. David gave us an update on his work and LGBTQ progress in Bogotá.

LGBTQ Victory Institute and Triangle Project alums Ntombi Mbucane and Thato Mabe joined Director of International Programs Luis Abolafia Anguita for a discussion about the need for queer political participation in South Africa and the importance of leadership trainings for the LGBTQ community.

Congratulations to our South Africa trainee, Thokozile Nhlumayo, for her selection to the 2021 Mandela Washington Fellowship!

Representatives of our partner organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean will tell us about the impact of coronavirus on the LGBTI populations of their countries, the needs they have identified, the measures that governments should take and the role that LGBTI political and citizen participation has to protect our rights. Watch our international leaders discuss these topics at 4:30 PM ET today on Facebook Live!

DON'T GET MAD, GET ELECTED

Tired of seeing certain elected officials making bad choices for the LGBTQ community? Considering running for office yourself but not sure where to start? Director of Domestic Programs Mario Enríquez and Campaign Workshop Founder Joe Fuld spoke about our signature Candidate & Campaign Trainings on Facebook Live. Learn more here!

Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker also joined Joe on his podcast, How to Win a Campaign, to talk about how LGBTQ candidates can win their campaigns.

We are thrilled to announce that we have extended the application deadline for our Victory Empowerment Fellowship! This fellowship is for emerging LGBTQ leaders of color and transgender leaders who seek to expand their campaign skills and policy-making power and be part of a strong cohort of movement leaders from across the country.

Extended Deadline: May 15. Apply today!

Want to learn a little more about the Victory Empowerment Fellowship from program alum? Several of our former fellows joined Mario to discuss their experiences with the program and what they're up to now. Watch their conversation here!

Still not convinced? Domestic Programs Manager Sarah Pope sat down with 2019 Victory Empowerment Fellow Mariah Moore for a deep-dive into the program and an update on Mariah's current work in New Orleans. Listen in here!

LGBTQ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268.

Victory Institute is only national organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our training and professional development programs, each year Victory Institute assists hundreds of individuals who go on to influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy. Many of our trainees join the more than 1,000 openly LGBTQ elected and appointed officials now serving around the world.

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