Hey John, 

As the Director of Constituent Engagement at Victory Institute, I am charged with strengthening and empowering our network of LGBTQ elected officials - all 681 (and counting!). We provide them with model legislation, talking points on breaking LGBTQ-related news and amplify the awesome work they do across the country.

We say it all the time at Victory Institute - representation matters. We know that having an LGBTQ voice at the table changes the conversation and elevates LGBTQ issues. There are countless stories of how LGBTQ elected officials have moved equality forward, but here are some of my favorites:

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (it's hard to pick one story about Tammy!) was the leading force behind a vote federal on non-discrimination protections and Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican, was undecided. She asked Senator Flake if he’d be willing to meet with a young transgender person to talk about the types of discrimination the trans community faces. He agreed, and after speaking with the young person, he told Senator Baldwin he’d vote “yes.” He became one of just 10 Republicans to vote for the bill – and he was just one of the Republicans Senator Baldwin successfully lobbied.

Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod has sponsored bills revising and improving safety rules for transgender inmates, prohibiting discrimination based on source of income and extending mental health benefits for children and youth, to name but a few. Together with Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone, the first openly transgender member in Colorado history, Rep. Herod also led the fight to end conversion therapy in Colorado.

State Representative Mary González is the first out pansexual elected to office and started the first LGBTQ Caucus in Texas history in 2019! She was joined by other LGBTQ state legislators Celia Israel, Jessica González and Julie Johnson. She is also leading the fight to expand Medicare in Texas.

After making LGBTQ history in 2017 as one of the first openly trans legislators elected in the country, Virginia Delegate Danica Roem is fighting to fulfill several campaign promises. She's sponsored legislation to fix Rt. 28, a notoriously degraded and dangerous road in the Beltway. Danica, a former journalist, also introduced bills to ensure journalists aren't forced to reveal their sources.

After a ludicrous bill in the Kansas state legislature attempted to define marriage as “between a man and a woman,” State Representatives Brandon Woodard and Susan Ruiz fought against the bill, ensuring it died in committee. Ruiz and Woodard, elected in November, are already leading the charge to ban discrimination against LGBTQ workers.

Arizona State Representative Daniel Hernandez is also fighting to change his state’s discrimination laws to include LGBTQ individuals.

Last but not least, Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt, elected in 2019, started off her new legislative session strong. She introduced legislation to ban conversion therapy statewide and is working to increase the minimum wage.

Again, John, I could go on and on. Our openly LGBTQ elected officials have shown time and time again that representation matters - and it's worth fighting for. 

Thanks again - 

Reggie Greer

Director of Constituent Engagement, Victory Institute