LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Register Now – Key Deadlines are Fast Approaching!

Our Fall Registration Conference Registration Rate is ending soon – don’t miss your chance to save on your ticket for the 2024 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference. Register here!

Every year, more than 700 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! Learn more about the Conference and our discounted Fall rates!

Meet the latest Victory Congressional Fellow!

This competitive 10-month fellowship brings one outstanding young LGBTQ+ professional to Capitol Hill to work in the Congressional Equality Caucus, supporting the Executive Director of the Caucus. As a fellow, Sara will also participate in a leadership development program that explores the policy-making process, includes our Candidate & Campaign Training, and dives into the pressing issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Her fellowship begins on September 3, 2024, and ends on June 27, 2025. Read more about Sara here!

Victory in Los Angeles: the last Public Leadership Summit!

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute hosted its final 2024 Public Leadership Summit in Los Angeles, focusing on LGBTQ+ representation and preparing activists to run for office. Over 70 participants, including elected officials and advocates, attended the event held at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center. Speakers included local leaders like Palm Springs Councilmember Lisa Middleton and California Assemblymember Rich Chavez Zbur. The event, organized with Equality California and FLUX, concluded with a networking reception aimed at fostering community connections. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Still looking for some help and tips on how to run? Learn more about our upcoming trainings…

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 Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm ET.

In town for the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference this year? Join us for a FREE one-day Candidate & Campaign 101 Training to cover the basics of campaigning, messaging, fundraising, and so much more. This FREE training is part of our pre-conference programming will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The training begins at 10am ET and run until 3pm ET. To register for the FREE program, please click here.

Quick Hits: The News in A Second

Well done, Michigan! Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a historic ban on the ‘gay and trans panic’ defense. The bill was introduced and championed by out State Representative Laurie Pohutsky!

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also made headlines when he issued an executive order banning conversion therapy in the state.

The Biden-Harris Administration has appointed a historic number of Senate-confirmed LGBTQ+ judges with the confirmation of Judge Mary Kay Costello to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania!

The Equality Caucus – led by Co-Chair Congressman Mark Pocan – filled an amicus brief with the Supreme Court seeking to protect trans rights. Read about the piece here!

Racist signs popped up in Colorado after the Presidential debate – and our LGBTQ+ elected officials took a strong stance against hate. On the Colorado House Floor, State Representative Leslie Herod gave a passionate speech decrying the signs. Colorado Governor Jared Polis also noted the signs were meant to stoke fear.

California State Senator Steve Padilla has been fighting to increase protections for child actors and creators – and now Demi Lovato is lending her support! Watch the clip here.

Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke recently penned an op-ed in The Hill, detailing her work to preserve trans rights in Minnesota and tackle lies being spread about trans healthcare.

Read “Childless Cat Lady” Pennsylvania State Representative Jessica Benham spoke with LGBTQ Nation about her work in the state house to protect LGBTQ+ rights and her stance against JD Vance’s comments.

LGBTQ+ elected officials are making progress in Ohio, slowly but surely. Read more of their stories here!

Applications are open: become a Victory Congressional Intern!

Applications are open for the Spring and Summer 2025 Victory Congressional Internship Program! LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s Victory Congressional Internship is developing the next generation of LGBTQ+ public leaders. Each semester, the Victory Congressional Internship brings outstanding LGBTQ+ college students to Washington, D.C. for an intensive leadership program and an internship with an LGBTQ+-friendly member of Congress.

Click here to apply for the Spring 2025 Victory Congressional Internship!
Applications are due by Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 11:59 pm PT.

Click here to apply for the Summer 2025 Victory Congressional Internship!
Applications are due by Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 11:59 pm PT.