LEADING IN MINNEAPOLIS

Minneapolis is reeling after the tragic death of George Floyd. Forcibly restrained during an arrest, Floyd repeatedly told officers "I can’t breathe” while one of them kneeled on his neck. City Councilmember Andrea Jenkins, who represents the district, joined PBS Newshour to discuss the case, calling the horrific event "a knee on the neck of black America." For the full story, including the video footage of the arrest, please click here. To only watch City Councilmember Jenkin's interview, click here.

LGBTQ LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19 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.

After a series of crippling closures due to COVID-19, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is urging the Federal Trade Commission to launch an antitrust investigation into the meatpacking industry.

U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is calling for a third aid package to provide further relief for struggling Americans.

U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney also called for federal support for local governments facing lost revenue and unexpected COVID-19 costs.

U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas joined other New Hampshire Representatives to answer constituent questions about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite a temporary restriction on evictions, some Massachusetts landlords are still attempting to remove residents. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is on the case.

After armed protesters broke stay-at-home orders to gather at the Michigan State Capitol, Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning that those violating the law at future protests would be prosecuted.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Madison (WI) Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway both earned shout-outs from Glamour for their leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York state Senator Brad Hoylman was rejected from giving blood, despite following guidelines for donation.

These two speeches from the Pennsylvania House floor showed what an amazing leader State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta is: one where he passionately defended low-wage workers facing higher danger from COVID-19 and one where he told his coming out story to demand an end to discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Massachusetts Representative Jack Patrick Lewis penned a passionate op-ed calling for compassion and continued respect for vulnerable communities as the country reopens.

VICTORY AROUND THE WORLD

International Programs Manager Alhelí Partida spoke with former trainee Thokozile Nhlumayo about our 2019 LGBTQ Political Leadership Learning Institute in South Africa and how Victory Institute’s programs are changing the face of South African politics, one leader at a time.

Openly gay Brasilia legislator Fábio Felix and our VP Ruben Gonzales had a one-on-one conversation on the state of human rights in Brazil and LGBTQ life under the “Trump of the Tropics,” President Jair Bolsonaro. Watch their conversation here.

LGBTQ history: the council in Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes in northeastern France chose Marie Cau, an openly trans woman, to lead the community, making Marie the first openly trans mayor elected in France.

DON'T GET MAD, GET ELECTED

David Bohnett Foundation Executive Director Michael Fleming joined Nebraska state Senator Megan Hunt, Illinois Representative Lamont J. Robinson and Representative Malcolm Kenyatta to talk about their time as David Bohnett Fellows. Watch their conversation here!

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara spoke with Victory Institute Vice President Ruben Gonzalez on the importance of networking and leadership training for LGBTQ officials. Watch their conversation here.

Former Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning and former White House LGBTQ and AAPI Liaison Aditi Hardikar spoke with VP Ruben Gonzales about LGBTQ visibility in the Obama White House, Victory Institute's plan to build a pipeline of LGBTQ leaders and restore LGBTQ voices in the White House.

Ruben also spoke with Joe Biden's LGBTQ+ Vote Director Reggie Greer about how a Biden Administration would prioritize LGBTQ diversity.

Victory Institute hosted our first-ever VIRTUAL Candidate & Campaign Training! There are more LGBTQ people running for office than ever before, and demand for our trainings has never been higher. This amazing group of 28 LGBTQ leaders, current candidates and future elected officials joined us via Zoom for a three-day interactive training experience:



Finding yourself inspired to run for office yourself after hearing from all these amazing electeds? Join us for our next Candidate & Campaign Training in Atlanta, Georgia from Thursday, July 23 - Sunday, July 26. Learn more and apply for the training here!

REST IN POWER

News broke yesterday that outspoken LGBTQ advocate, author, essayist and playwright Larry Kramer passed away this week. His activism launched a national conversation around HIV/AIDS. Our thoughts go out to his husband and family.

Former South Maui Rep. Joe Bertram III, the first openly LGBTQ Hawaii state Representative and passionate advocate for the environment, passed away recently. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.

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.

This email was sent to [email protected]. Don't unsubscribe just yet - you can change how many & what type of emails you receive by updating your account here. Unsubscribing will remove you from ALL Victory Fund email contact. If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive ANY email from us, please unsubscribe.

LGBTQ Victory Institute
1225 I Street NW, Suite 525
Washington, DC xxxxxx
United States