LGBTQ LEADERSHIP 

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is supporting sweeping reforms that would overhaul police departments in the United States. She also urged President Trump to pass increased protections for essential workers and increase testing supplies.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown had a busy month! Governor Brown called a special session to address police brutality and the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the many changes? Making Juneteenth a state holiday.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed two big bills into law: a sweeping piece of police reform legislation and a bill repealing the “gay panic” defense. A huge round of applause for state Representatives Leslie Herod and Brianna Titone, the driving forces behind these legislative victories.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine is being heralded for her work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read about Dr. Levine’s work as an LGBTQ trailblazer here!

Our communities are in pain as Black Americans grieve those lost at the hands of state violence, racist police and complacent politicians. LGBTQ Black elected leaders Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, Cambridge City Councilor E. Denise Simmons and Schoolboard President Marque Snow joined Victory Institute for an in-depth discussion on the fight for racial justice.

We’re so proud to stand in solidarity with our Black LGBTQ leaders as they fight for racial equality. Here’s a small snapshot of the work done this month.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims joined us to talk about the implication of this decision and the work still to be done. Watch here!

Missouri state Representative Greg Razer applauded the decision and made a renewed call for expanded discrimination protections in housing.

The Arizona LGBTQ Legislative Caucus also celebrated the historic ruling, calling it “a significant win for LGBTQ people.” You can read their full statements here.

Congratulations are due for Arizona state Representative Andrés Cano, Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and more for being named The Advocate’s 2020 Champions of Pride!! Check out the full list here.

Indianapolis City Councilors Ali Brown and Keith Potts led the charge to honor LGBTQ people during Pride Month this year.

Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker joined AARP for a Pride Month panel on the COVID-19 pandemic and recent Supreme Court ruling. Check it out here!

VICTORY AROUND THE WORLD

On May 25, Costa Rica became the first Central American country to legalize marriage equality. We heard from Congressman Enrique Sánchez, currently the only openly LGBTQ elected official at the national level in Costa Rica, about this historic moment in his country and about the importance of political participation. Watch here!

We also spoke with Margarita Salas, President of the Vamos political party in Costa Rica, and Michael Lavers, International News Editor at The Washington Blade, to learn how LGBTQ leaders and activists made history in Costa Rica.

Senior International Programs Manager Alhelí Partida had a one-on-one conversation with the only openly LGBTQ elected official in Puerto Rico, San Juan Municipal Legislator Jimmy Zorrilla, and took a deep dive into Puerto Rico’s new civil code.

Since his election in 2018, arch-conservative Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has singled out his LGBTQ constituents for ridicule and violence. Watch openly gay Brasilia legislator Fábio Felix and our Vice President Ruben Gonzales have a one-on-one conversation on the state of human rights in Brazil.

From cabinet members in Germany to a presidential candidate in the U.S., we have seen big gains in political representation for LGBTQ people in both countries. Watch as LGBTQ politicians from Germany and the U.S. share their perspectives on LGBTQ political participation and learn from each other’s successes and failures.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Congratulations to Victory Congressional Intern, Oseremhen (Ose) Arheghan! Ose was named one of GLAAD’s 20 under 20 LGBTQ leaders! They also spoke with The Buckeye Flame on ways colleges can improve and expand their LGBTQ spaces.

Interested in joining the Victory Congressional Interns or know a young up and coming LGBTQ leader? The Victory Congressional Internship application for Fall 2020 is open! Apply by July 27th and you could be an intern on Capitol Hill this September!

Last month, you met the newest group of Victory Congressional Interns (VCIs) and now, we’re pleased to introduce you to the 2020 Victory Empowerment Fellows!

Finding yourself inspired to run for office yourself after hearing about all these amazing electeds? Join us for our next virtual Candidate & Campaign Training on Thursday, July 23 - Saturday, July 25. This is our final training of the year so don't miss your chance! Learn more and apply for the training here!

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.

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