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LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
Foreign Grant Funding Alert:
This past weekend, under President Trump’s executive order, the State Department and USAID issued unprecedented suspensions on nearly all existing foreign assistance grants [[link removed]] – including two grants to which LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a grantee . The suspension of these grants continues despite President Trump rescinding his freeze on domestic funds [[link removed]] . Both executive orders and government memos have ordered that all programs promoting “transgenderism” or “woke gender ideology” be terminated.
Unfortunately, Victory Institute’s critical work to promote democracy and LGBTQ+ representation around the globe is heavily reliant on this lost federal funding [[link removed]] . Our efforts, which have provided hope and protection to LGBTQ+ leaders and elected officials who stand for equality, justice, and human rights are now facing an uncertain future [[link removed]] . This happens as our global program is at the strongest point in its 12-year history – with more than 5,000 leaders in our network, dozens of partner organizations and two new LGBTQ+ political participation tools ready to be implemented . The demand for our work is endless.
If you can make a donation to support this essential work, please do so here. We deeply appreciate it [[link removed]] . [[link removed]]
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More Anti-Trans Executive Orders and House Bills
In addition to the above order, the Trump Administration has been rolling out a series of executive orders targeting trans rights, gender-affirming healthcare, trans services members [[link removed]] , trans students and their teachers [[link removed]] .
Meanwhile, the U.S. House passed their own first anti-trans bill [[link removed]] , specifically banning trans girls from sports [[link removed]] . U.S. Congresswoman Becca Balint spoke out against the bill [[link removed]] , as did U.S. Congressmen Mark Pocan [[link removed]] and Mark Takano [[link removed]] .
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is also uploading the trans bathroom ban [[link removed]] , a direct attack on U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride [[link removed]] .
Meanwhile, bigots in state legislatures across the country are also launching their assaults on LGBTQ+ rights. The Idaho House passed legislation calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to undue their marriage equality ruling [[link removed]] and reinstating marriage as between “one man and one woman.” [[link removed]]
A bathroom ban was heard in Montana [[link removed]] , and a state lawmaker there is trying to charge of the parents of trans kids with child abuse [[link removed]] , while a New Jersey Democratic State Senator called for a trans sports ban in the state. [[link removed]]
In Iowa, bigots are trying to remove trans people from the Civil Rights Act [[link removed]] . State Representative Aime Wichtendahl, who just made history as the first out trans person elected to the Iowa state legislature, has been speaking out and mobilizing against the bill. [[link removed]]
Here’s some good news…
But all is not lost. Despite the vitriol and increasingly tough to read headlines, LGBTQ+ elected officials and advocates are leading the way to preserve equality.
U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids penned a scathing op-ed, pointing out that the President’s executive orders do nothing to help Americans or lower costs [[link removed]] .
Texas has been home to some horrible anti-LGBTQ bills, but in a sweet twist, State Representative Venton Jones used the opening day of session to propose to his partner [[link removed]] . Congratulations to the happy couple [[link removed]] !
In Virginia, State Delegates Rozia Henson and Mark Sickles are leading the charge to add marriage equality to the 2026 ballot [[link removed]] – and they’ve passed the first hurdle in the House [[link removed]] !
Thanks to the tireless work of State Representative Noah Arbit, Michigan has expanded its hate crimes legislation to protect sexual orientation and gender identity [[link removed]] !
And around the country, hundreds of LGBTQ+ elected officials have been sworn into their new terms. In Georgia, State Senator Kim Jackson is already working to stop anti-trans legislation in its tracks [[link removed]] .
Colorado State Representative Lindsay Gilchrist introduced her first bills, aiming to lower the cost of mental health care [[link removed]] !
Get Mad, Get Trained, Get Elected!
APPLICATIONS FOR OUR 2025 CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAININGS ARE NOW OPEN: DUE MARCH 26, 2025! [[link removed]] Apply to either or both programs using one centralized application. Click below to learn more!
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s signature program, our 4-day bootcamp Candidate & Campaign Training, is meant for any LGBTQ+ person looking to run for public office. Get trained on how to now just run – but WIN!
Houston, TX: May 15-18, 2025 [[link removed]]
Los Angeles, CA: September 4-7, 2025: [[link removed]] In partnership with Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), trans and gender-expansive candidates are invited to join for a training enhancement on September 7-9, 2025 completely free-of-charge. More information on link above.
Want to learn more about our program offerings? Join an upcoming FREE virtual information session on January 30 [[link removed]] or February 25. [[link removed]]
FREE Public Leadership Summits
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is coming to a city near you! Join us for an upcoming FREE LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summit in Pittsburgh [[link removed]] , South Florida [[link removed]] , Atlanta [[link removed]] , Milwaukee [[link removed]] , St. Louis [[link removed]] , and Denver [[link removed]] ! The Summit is a FREE half-day training that engages participants in collaborative workshops and discussions on how to run for office or enter public service as an out LGBTQ+ individual, as well as network with local LGBTQ+ leaders and elected officials who are fighting to advance equality in the region.
Time2Run Webinars:
Not sure where to get started with running for office? Join us for an upcoming virtual webinar on February 20 [[link removed]] , March 12 [[link removed]] , or June 12 [[link removed]] ! This FREE virtual webinar is a great first step to understanding LGBTQ+ campaigns and candidacy.
Applications for the 2025 David Bohnett LGBTQ+ Leaders Fellowship are now open!
The fellowship – geared toward LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials with promising careers ahead of them – includes a three-week summer program in-person at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, MA. The intensive program hones skills and furthers the leadership potential of accomplished individuals from across the United States. More details on the fellowship are available here [[link removed]] . The application [[link removed]] deadline for the program is March 23, 2025.
The Bohnett Fellowship covers the majority of the program fee – based on financial need – and includes several events in Cambridge with David Bohnett Foundation and Victory Institute staff. Fellows will also join a distinguished alumni network of more than 170 Bohnett Fellow alumni [[link removed]] .
Victory Empowerment Fellowship – Now accepting applications!
Applications are open until Monday, March 10th at 11:59pm PT!
The Victory Empowerment Fellowship for LGBTQ+ emerging LGBTQ+ leaders of color and/or transgender leaders who seek to expand their campaign skills and policy-making power is now accepting applications! Fellow’s will attend LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s Houston Candidate & Campaign Training and International LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. Apply today [[link removed]] ! Not the right fit for you, but know somebody great? Nominate them here [[link removed]] .
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LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a global organization dedicated to elevating out LGBTQ+ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our global [[link removed]] and domestic [[link removed]] trainings, professional development programs [[link removed]] and yearly conferences [[link removed]] , Victory Institute prepares hundreds of out individuals to launch an influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy. Many of our trainees join the more than 1,000 out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials [[link removed]] now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today! [[link removed]]
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FOLLOW ALONG:
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268.
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