LGBTQ LEADERS IN HISTORY-MAKING ROLES

President-elect Joe Biden chose Pete Buttigieg to be his Secretary of Transportation! By nominating Pete, President-elect Biden is achieved one of our four Presidential Appointment Initiative goals: nominating the first out LGBTQ person to a permanent position in a presidential Cabinet! When Pete's confirmed, he'll be the first out LGBTQ Cabinet secretary ever approved by the United States Senate.

Or, as Pete himself said in his nomination speech, "I can’t help but think of a seventeen-year-old who might be watching right now, someone who wonders whether and where they belong in the world, or even in their own family, and I’m thinking about the message today’s announcement is sending to them." You can watch his full remarks and President-elect Biden's remarks here.

U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney also made history, being selected by his peers to be the first out chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee!

And Maine state Representative Ryan Fecteau became as the first out House Speaker in the state’s history!

LGBTQ LEADERSHIP

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is calling for a full investigation into the online conspiracy network QAnon.

U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema stood with other legislators and urged Congressional and Senate leaders to pass “No Budget, No Pay” legislation to prevent future government shutdowns.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown called for a special session of the legislature to review a COVID-19 and wildfire relief package.

The first COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in Colorado, and Governor Jared Polis is urging hospitals to begin administrating the doses.

U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids spoke with the Washington Post about her recent reelection, serving in a more diverse Congress and Native American history.

U.S Congressman Mark Takano used his platform as co-Chair of the Equality Caucus to reprimand U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for introducing a piece of transphobic legislation.

U.S. Congressman David Cicilline gave a passionate speech on the U.S. House floor, calling for the urgent passage of a COVID-19 relief bill.

In the latest “Coffee with Chris,” U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas spoke with constituents about the upcoming 2021 Medicare open enrollment period.

Led by state Representative Leslie Herod, Colorado’s Black Democratic Legislative Caucus is celebrating a series of wins from the latest special session. Read about their victories here!

Erie School Board member Tyler Titus, the first out trans person elected in Pennsylvania, was selected by his colleagues as Board President.

CONFERENCE 2020

We hope you were able to join us for this year’s International LGBTQ Leaders Conference. But if you weren’t, here are some of our favorite moments:

President-elect Joe Biden congratulates U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on winning the LGBTQ History Maker Award for fighting to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” followed by a conversation between Speaker Pelosi and the Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart.

He also pledged to create the “most pro-equality administration in history”!

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined us to acknowledge rising star Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta and present him with the 2020 Tammy Baldwin Leadership Award…

Peruvian Congressman Alberto de Belaunde awards Mexican Congresswoman Ana Lucia Riojas Matinez with the inaugural Victory Institute Global Trailblazer Award…

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot addressed the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference before Colorado Representative Leslie Herod, Pennsylvania Representative Malcolm Kenyatta and Minneapolis Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins discussed with Emil Wilbekin, Founder of Native Son, how their communities are fighting for racial justice...

Thank you to all of our amazing speakers, sponsors and attendees! The International LGBTQ Leaders Conference would not be possible without your generous support.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Interested in joining a training or program? Applications for our 2021 programs and trainings are now open! Learn more about our:

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 trainings, professional development programs and yearly conferences, 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 openly LGBTQ elected and appointed officials now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today!

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