LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Foreign Grant Funding Alert:

In a stunning announcement, the Trump Administration has terminated 92% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, effectively dismantling the agency. In a memo, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted these grants do not align “with Agency priorities and made a determination that continuing this program is not in the national interest."

These cuts represent a direct attack on the global LGBTQ+ rights movement. And while people are suffering, Elon Musk is tweeting fringe conspiracy theories about the agency’s work.

This move is devastating to many LGBTQ+ organizations around the globe that relied on this funding, including LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Executive Director Elliot Imse spoke with The Washington Blade about these cuts, noting, “while Victory Institute — like all LGBTQ+ organizations — is concerned about the current fundraising environment, we have a programmatic plan in place that directly addresses the realities of what is happening across the country right now.”

But organizations like ours, former presidential appointees and LGBTQ+ leaders are speaking out. Read an op-ed from appointee John Casey in The Advocate or USAID appointee Todd Larson in The Cap Times here!

If you can make a donation to support this essential work, please do so here. We deeply appreciate it.

LGBTQ+ Attorneys General Take on Trump Admin

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, both historic firsts in their respective states, are suing the Trump Administration over several executive orders. AG Nessel was leading the charge to restore several drastic domestic funding cuts and the federal buyout offer, while AG Mayes sued to block the order on banning birthright citizenship.

In an op-ed in AZCentral, Mayes outlined her cases and commitment to defending the Constitution, while Nessel wrote in an op-ed with the Detroit Free Press, “But in the event our laws are compromised, I will be prepared to do what I’ve always done, as an elected official responsible for defending our constitution: protect and defend the people of the state of Michigan.”

Nine States Introduce Bills to Roll Back Marriage Equality

Sad but true: nine US states have introduced legislation to rollback marriage equality, while five of those are asking the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell.

In North Dakota, out LGBTQ+ state Representative Austin Foss gave a passionate speech on the floor, defending not only his marriage, but all LGBTQ+ marriages.

In Michigan, State Senator Jeremy Moss made sure his presence was felt at the press conference introducing the ban on marriage by sitting front and center. Watch the full video here!

State Senator Moss also called for a new ballot initiative repealing the state’s ban, thus ensuring marriage would be protected in Michigan.

Iowa Removes Trans Civil Rights Protections

After several protests, bigots in Iowa have voted to remove nondiscrimination protections for trans people. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to sign the bill into law.

Aime Wichtendahl, the first out trans person elected to the state’s legislature, has been speaking out against the bill, and protesting with the hundreds of people mobilizing at the capitol. State Senator Liz Bennett and State Representative Elinor Levin have been protesting with her!

Davante Lewis Targeted for Pro-Trans Post

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis recently faced a vote to remove him as Vice Chairman. Lewis roundly defended former Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine after Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry tweeted a joke about Levine.

After the vote stripping him of his title, Lewis told The Advocate the vote was “hypocrisy at its finest.” Lewis still serves on the Public Service Commission, though he has been stripped of his title.

Get Mad, Get Trained, Get Elected!

APPLICATIONS FOR OUR 2025 CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAININGS ARE NOW OPEN: DUE MARCH 26, 2025! 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
Los Angeles, CA: September 4-7, 2025: 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.

Time2Run Webinars:
Not sure where to get started with running for office? Join us for an upcoming virtual webinar on March 12 or June 12! 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. The application 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.

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! Not the right fit for you, but know somebody great? Nominate them here.