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LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
New Endorsements, New Battlegrounds
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is proud to roll out our latest endorsements [[link removed]] — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. At the center is Julie Johnson , a trailblazing Texas leader running in a brand-new congressional district and who was first out LGBTQ+ member of Congress from the Lone Star State. [[link removed]]
Her race is already drawing national attention, underscored by this headline making waves: “Colin Allred targets first LGBTQ+ congresswoman from Texas for House seat as Jasmine Crockett runs for Senate.” [[link removed]] Rep. Johnson has also announced massive support from other Members of Congress [[link removed]] .
As new districts open and familiar political dynamics shift [[link removed]] , Victory Fund is stepping in early to back candidates like Julie who are ready to win — and defend equality —at a moment when LGBTQ+ representation in Congress matters more than ever.
Meet the full list of endorsements here! [[link removed]]
Kansas Leaders Push to Undermine Representation Falls Short — for Now
Kansas leaders are once again signaling their desire to redraw the state’s congressional maps, taking aim at the Kansas City–area district represented by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids — but they don’t have the votes to make it happen [[link removed]] . State legislative leaders have openly admitted they are nowhere near the numbers needed, with House Speaker Dan Hawkins calling redistricting a “priority” while conceding Republicans are roughly 20 votes short of overriding a veto and forcing through new maps [[link removed]] .
It’s a familiar and troubling playbook: when you can’t win fairly, try to rig the lines. For now, Rep. Davids’ district remains intact. But as she points out here, we must continue to monitor the situation [[link removed]] .
A Big Win in Houston!
We’re starting the year with even more great news: our last special election wrapped up over the break, Alejandra Salinas won her race for Houston City Council [[link removed]] — and she’s already been sworn into office [[link removed]] !
Alejandra’s victory is a powerful reminder that LGBTQ+ candidates are winning and getting to work right away. Her leadership strengthens Houston’s progressive future [[link removed]] and ensures LGBTQ+ voices are represented where the most important local decisions are made [[link removed]] . Congratulations to Councilmember Salinas and to everyone who helped make this historic win possible [[link removed]] !
Angie Craig Demands Accountability
Tensions boiled over on Capitol Hill this week as Rep. Angie Craig [[link removed]] – now running for the U.S. Senate - confronted a fellow lawmaker in a heated exchange over the killing of Renee Nicole Good by masked ICE agents [[link removed]] .
Craig’s outrage reflected what so many are feeling right now: deep anger and grief, paired with a refusal to accept silence or deflection when lives are lost [[link removed]] . As details continue to emerge, Craig forcefully pushed back against attempts to minimize or politicize the incident [[link removed]] , underscoring the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and oversight of federal enforcement actions [[link removed]] .
She’s joined in her outrage by LGBTQ+ elected officials and candidates around the country, including Mike Simmons [[link removed]] , Sarah McBride [[link removed]] , Kevin Morrison [[link removed]] and many more.
A Dangerous New Line Is Crossed: AI Deepfakes Target Trans Allies - and Trans Kids First
The political use of AI deepfakes has officially arrived [[link removed]] , and its first target is pro-trans leadership.
The video attacked Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), now running for the U.S. Senate, with a fabricated AI-generated video falsely depicting her giving a young boy a “no-parent-permission-required estrogen kit.” The lie is as grotesque as it is intentional. Gov. Mills has been a steadfast supporter of transgender rights, most notably refusing to cave to pressure from the president to ban trans kids from participating in school sports. [[link removed]]
This moment makes one thing painfully clear: when bigots test a new weapon, their first move is to attack trans kids — and the elected officials brave enough to stand up for them. Deepfakes aren’t just misinformation; they’re a dangerous escalation designed to stoke fear, dehumanize vulnerable people, and intimidate leaders who choose equality over hate. [[link removed]]
What’s at Stake in 2026 — From the Supreme Court to Mike Simmons’ Key Race
As we kick off 2026, a sweeping set of political and legal battles is shaping up that will have major consequences for LGBTQ+ rights — from consequential Supreme Court decisions to critical federal elections. Read the full article here – it’s a great read [[link removed]] !
All 435 U.S. House seats are on the ballot, presenting a pivotal opportunity for pro-equality leaders to reclaim control and safeguard civil rights protections after years of attacks on transgender and LGBTQ+ equality. One of the marquee contests to watch is Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, where Mike Simmons — the first out LGBTQ+ and first Ethiopian American elected to the Illinois State Senate — is running for an open U.S. House seat with a record on expanding LGBTQ rights and community equity.
His race, along with others in Texas and New York, could help determine who controls the House and sets the nation’s agenda on nondiscrimination, health care, and inclusion [[link removed]] . Meanwhile, landmark cases before the Supreme Court this year could further shape the legal landscape for transgender athletes and bans on conversion therapy — making 2026 a year that truly matters for our community.
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LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is the political arm of the LGBTQ+ community. Since our founding in 1991, we’ve supported and elected LGBTQ+ candidates like U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Governors Maura Healey, Tina Kotek and Jared Polis and thousands of LGBTQ+ candidates around the country. We’re proud to be the only national organization endorsing pro-equality and pro-choice LGBTQ+ candidates in the United States. We’ve shattered rainbow ceilings in all 50 states and broken election records. Meet our latest endorsements here! [[link removed]] We’ve shattered rainbow ceilings in all 50 states and broken election records. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today! [[link removed]]
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