TRANS HISTORY IN THE U.S. SENATE!

This week, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health! Dr. Levine makes history as the first out trans person ever confirmed by the Senate.

Upon her confirmation, Dr. Levine issued the following statement, writing a special message to America’s trans youth. You can read her full statement here.

As Victory Institute’s Executive Director Ruben Gonzales said to Harrisburg’s CBS 21, we know this historic moment is just the beginning. Watch the full interview here!

THE BATTLE FOR EQUALITY

The Equality Act has now reached the U.S. Senate, where the Judiciary Committee held their first hearing. U.S. Senate Tammy Baldwin testified during the hearing and urged the Senate to pass the Equality Act.

Other LGBTQ leaders, including U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan, U.S. Congressman Mark Takano and Delaware state Senator Sarah McBride celebrated as Stella Keating, a young trans woman, testified in front of the Committee.

U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres reiterated the need to protect millions of LGBTQ Americans from housing and education discrimination – and how passing the Equality Act would do that.

After U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville attempted to attach an anti-trans amendment to the COVID-19 relief bill, our out trans state legislators celebrated the amendment’s defeat. Read statements from Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, Colorado Representative Brianna Titone, Kansas state Representative Stephanie Byers, New Hampshire state Representative Gerri Cannon and Vermont state Representative Taylor Small.

In Georgia, state Senator Kim Jackson spoke out against the legislature’s efforts to ban transgender student athletes.

VICTORY AROUND THE WORLD

Gahela Cari, only the second out transgender woman to run for Congress in Peru, spoke with International Programs Manager Mateo de la Torre about her historic campaign, co-founding a political party, and the continued fight for trans liberation. Read their full conversation here.

Mexico is also taking steps forward in increasing trans representation: two trans activists have been nominated for Governor of Zacatecas and Federal Deputy positions.

Victory Institute is proud to partner with the Global Equality Caucus for “Lawmakers for LGBTQ+ Equality: North America and the Caribbean”. Presented by the Global Equality Caucus and supported by Google, it is an online digital series where elected representatives connect with civil society and members of the LGBTQ community to discuss the issues that matter. Not only do they give LGBTQ people a voice during uncertain times, but these events also mobilize legislators to take action and report the issues to their national governments, parliaments and in international conferences. Register today and join us on March 31st at 7PM ET!

REPRESENTATION IS POWER

U.S. Representative Sharice Davids sat down with President Joe Biden to discuss America’s infrastructure and potential legislation to improve America’s highways and byways.

California state Senator Scott Wiener has introduced legislation to repeal the state’s “Walking While Trans” ban, stating “it’s really a law that has no reason to exist.”

Florida state Senator Shevrin Jones is pushing for legislation to address urban violence and rising gun violence, passing his first piece of legislation on the matter through committee.

Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride chaired her first committee - Senate Health and Social Services – and passed her first Senate bill this month!

Nebraska state Senator Megan Hunt has designated three priority bills for upcoming floor debate. Learn which three bills she’ll be fighting for in the upcoming session!

We couldn’t agree more with this headline from Denver CBS Local: state Representative Leslie Herod is a force of nature at the state capitol.

Colorado state Representative David Ortiz is wasting no time, introducing legislation to prohibit discrimination in decisions regarding eligibility and coverage for organ transplant patients, adopt Title II of the federal ADA law and bring the state in compliance with the federal law AND enshrine equality in Colorado’s marijuana industry.

Kansas state Representatives Brandon Woodard, Susan Ruiz and Stephanie Byer introduced legislation to repeal the legal bans on marriage equality in the state.

Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta has introduced legislation to combat gun violence – and is urging his fellow lawmakers to pass the bill.

Legislating as a member of the minority is never easy, but Arizona state Representative Andrés Cano is still finding ways to lead. Read his full interview with The Advocate here!

Vermont state Representative Taylor Small is leading the charge to repeal the state’s LGBTQ panic defense.

THE NEXT GENERATION

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

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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