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LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
As AAPI Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re proud to celebrate the vibrant contributions of LGBTQ+ AAPI leaders across the country. Our President & CEO Evan Low was recently highlighted by OutSmart Magazine for his trailblazing work and historic leadership [[link removed]] . And U.S. Congressman Mark Takano—an educator turned legislator—shared powerful reflections on honoring AAPI history and the importance of representation in every role he’s held [[link removed]] . We’re grateful for their leadership and the impact they continue to make for our communities.
Learn more about the 70+ out LGBTQ+ AAPI elected officials currently serving across the country now [[link removed]] !
Good and Very Bad News from The Texas Legislature
Very unfortunately, the Texas legislature saw another slate of anti-LGBTQ bills.
Among the most consequential is House Bill 229, which narrowly passed the Senate and defines legal sex strictly based on reproductive anatomy [[link removed]] , mandating that all state documents reflect sex assigned at birth [[link removed]] . Other measures include Senate Bill 1188, which grants parents unrestricted access to their children's medical records, raising concerns about forced outing and privacy violations, and House Bill 1106, which shields parents from allegations of abuse or neglect if they refuse to affirm their child’s gender identity [[link removed]] . While a bill to ban Pride flags in public schools is now in committee [[link removed]] , the overall legislative trend has been deeply troubling for LGBTQ+ Texans.
Amid this wave of discriminatory policymaking, LGBTQ+ leaders in Texas are speaking out. State Senator Molly Cook - the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Texas Senate - has been a vocal opponent of these bills, voting against measures like SB 762, which sought to ban advocacy flags in schools [[link removed]] . Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus in the Texas House have also condemned legislation banning books [[link removed]] , the bill around medical records [[link removed]] , as well as telling the stories of children harmed by their parents after coming out [[link removed]] .
State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons gave a passionate defense of intersex lives n the house floor as well [[link removed]] !
Despite the hostile climate, these leaders continue to fight for equality and representation, reminding us that visibility and advocacy remain powerful tools in the face of adversity. Thanks to the leadership of out State Rep. Venton Jones — one of the first Black LGBTQ+ members of the Texas House — lawmakers have taken the first steps to repeal the state’s outdated ban on “homosexual conduct.” [[link removed]] While the law is unenforceable thanks to Lawrence v. Texa s, its existence remains a dangerous reminder of past criminalization. [[link removed]]
Colorado Signs Gender-Affirming Care Bill and Marriage Protections!
Colorado just took a bold step to protect transgender lives. Thanks to the leadership of State Rep. Brianna Titone — the first out trans lawmaker in Colorado history — the state has enacted new protections for gender-affirming healthcare [[link removed]] .
Rep. Titone co-sponsored the landmark bill, which was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, Colorado’s first out gay governor. [[link removed]]
Governor Polis also signed a bill protecting marriage equality in the state, after voters passed a ballot measure last November [[link removed]] .
This legislation couldn’t come at a more critical time: In January, former President Trump signed an executive order targeting gender-affirming care for trans youth, leading to providers across the country immediately cutting off access to medically necessary treatment [[link removed]] . Now, Congress is considering a national budget that would ban gender-affirming care for trans people on Medicaid and ACA plans [[link removed]] .
Meet the Victory Empowerment Fellows!
We are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Victory Empowerment Fellows: seven exceptional LGBTQ+ leaders of color and transgender leaders who are poised to drive change in their communities [[link removed]] . Over the next six months, these fellows will engage in intensive campaign training, receive personalized mentorship, and participate in the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference. Meet the 2025 cohort and learn more about their inspiring journeys here! [[link removed]]
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Quick Hits: The News in A Second
The Equality Act was reintroduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) [[link removed]] . This pivotal legislation aims to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics across key areas such as employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and federally funded programs [[link removed]] .
In honor of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), El Espectador published a powerful piece on the global rise of institutionalized transphobia. The article features reflections from our partner Wilson Castañeda of Caribe Afirmativo and Victory Institute’s Mateo de la Torre on the urgent need to confront this growing threat. Read the article (in Spanish) here [[link removed]] .
Representative Sarah McBride continues to make history as the first out transgender member of the U.S. Congress [[link removed]] , championing inclusive policies and standing firm against anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Recently, she secured a significant victory for Delaware workers by prompting a reversal from former President Trump on a detrimental policy, demonstrating her commitment to effective governance over partisan politics [[link removed]] !
On the steps of the Supreme Court, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute honored a giant of our movement: Frank Kameny. We showed up to protect his legacy, push back against efforts to erase us, and celebrate 10 years of marriage equality. [[link removed]] Victory Institute Executive Director Elliot Imse reminded us: our visibility, our history, and our future matter more than ever [[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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