LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Paula Lewis Wins Reelection!

Great news from our first election of the new year: Paula Lewis has won her reelection campaign to Oklahoma City Public School Board of Education this week with over 53% of the vote! During her 8+ year tenure on the school board, Paula has championed numerous initiatives, including the Embrace OKC initiative and the Equity and Non-Discrimination Policy, as well as mental wellness, transparency, and stability within the school system.

Congratulations Paula on this essential victory!

Sarah McBride Endorses Dan Cruce

Big news out of Delaware! Victory Fund endorsed candidate Dan Cruce is running for State Senate in District 1, aiming to become the first out gay man elected to the Delaware State Senate. And now, U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride – who both grew up in the district and previously held this seat – is endorsing his campaign!

Dan was chosen by the state’s Democratic party in December to run in the upcoming special elections to the state senate. Dan will face an opponent that was previously defeated by Sarah McBride.

Election Day is this Saturday.

Executive Orders Update: Blocked!

In a piece of good news, a federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order on gender-affirming healthcare, though the order only applies for 14 days. The organizations and families involved are looking to continue the case and ensure people can receive care. U.S. v. Skrmetti, a current case before the Supreme Court, would decide the fate of gender-affirming care at the federal level.

Meanwhile, another federal judge has ordered the Trump Administration to restore LGBTQ+ informational pages that were deleted from the CDC, HHS and FDA websites.

These are important steps forward, and we must continue to speak out against attempts to remove LGBTQ+ experiences and stories.

QUICK HITS: the News in a Second

More good news – there are more LGBTQ+ people serving in elected office than ever before! At least 495 LGBTQ+ candidates won their campaigns in 2024. And in Wisconsin, the state’s LGBTQ+ Caucus has doubled in size!

Congratulations to Dylan Behler, who was nominated to the Maryland General Assembly to fill a vacant seat! He was sworn in last week.

Gina Ortiz Jones received two huge endorsements in her race to be the next mayor of San Antonio: one from EMILY’s List and one from Annie’s List!

Victory Fund candidate Ashely Shade, who is running for reelection to the North Adams (MA) City Council, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to equality in spite of the President’s anti-trans executive orders.