Representation is power.

HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS


 

ON THE VERGE OF HISTORY: President Biden picked Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine to be his Assistant Secretary of Health. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Dr. Levine would make history as the first out trans person confirmed by the body.

Victory Institute has joined with more than 350 organizations to urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Dr. Levine. Though she is extremely qualified for the role, anti-trans bigots are already attempting to derail her confirmation.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has also moved Pete Buttigieg’s nomination for Secretary of Transportation forward. The full Senate is expected to vote on his historic nomination soon.

Activist and organizer Emmy Ruiz is also joining the Biden administration as Director of Political Strategy and Outreach. Congratulations Emmy!

Columbia Law School Executive Vice President for University Life Suzanne Goldberg will be taking a leave of absence to join the Biden administration as acting assistant secretary for the Office of Civil Rights for the United States Department of Education.

Ned Price will also be joining the administration as the new State Department Spokesperson!

 

REPRESENTATION IS POWER

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined fellow lawmakers in calling for tech companies to combat COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.

Ms. Magazine published an excerpt featuring U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids and her historic 2018 win. Read the piece here!

Thanks to Ritchie Torres’ hard work on the New York City Council, New York will now recognize LGBTQ businesses as minority-owned businesses. Ritchie is serving in the U.S. Congress as one of America’s first out Black Congressmen.

Indiana’s first out legislator, J.D. Ford, introduced a bill banning conversion therapy. We hope Mike Pence returns home in time to witness this historic vote.

The New York state Senate, led by our out elected officials, are preparing to repeal the discriminatory ‘walking while trans’ laws.

Florida’s newest out legislators, Shevrin Jones and Michele Rayner, introduced a bill to end qualified immunity in the state.

California's first bisexual state legislator, Alex Lee, has hit the ground running with an ambitious legislative agenda. Learn more here!

School board member Everton Blair was elected by his peers to be the new Board Chair. Congratulations, Everton!

Fairfax county school board member Karl Frisch passed a key proposal that will provide capacity relief for several local elementary schools.

 

LGBTQ RESPONSE TO ATTEMPTED INSURRECTION

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey spoke with The 19th about America’s recent extremism and ending white supremacy.

U.S. Congressman David Cicilline published an op-ed in The New York Times making the case for impeaching former President Trump.

After a state representative allowed right-wing protestors into the Oregon capitol, House Speaker Tina Kotek stripped him of committee assignments and called for his resignation.

 

LGBTQ LEADERS GET TO WORK

Kim Jackson has officially made history as Georgia’s first out state Senator. Read more about her swearing-in ceremony here!

Sarah McBride celebrated her historic swearing-in ceremony with a glowing profile in The Cut.

Jessica Benham was officially sworn in as Pennsylvania’s first out female state legislator! She has also joined the Democratic caucus as Deputy Whip.

Before 2020, Tennessee had never elected an out state legislator: now, they have two! Congratulations to both Eddie Mannis and Torrey Harris for this historic accomplishment.

The Missouri state legislature is breaking LGBTQ records: there are now five out lawmakers serving, and Representative Ashley Bland Manlove is the first out person to serve with the Legislative Black Caucus!

Our favorite part of the Advocate’s 2020 Review? All of our out elected officials. Check out the full list here!

 

THE NEXT GENERATION

We are thrilled to welcome our latest group of Victory Congressional Interns to the Victory Institute family! Learn more about our Spring Cohort here.

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 a global organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our international and domestic 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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