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BLACK LIVES MATTER
After former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty as charged in the death of George Floyd [[link removed]] , LGBTQ leaders reacted to the verdict.
Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council Andrea Jenkins , who represents the district where George Floyd was murdered, called the verdict a “step towards accountability” and urged further steps towards justice [[link removed]] .
Minneapolis City Councilor Phillipe Cunningham urged supporters to “rejoice in accountability” and to “lean into uncomfortable, necessary change.” [[link removed]]
U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones , one of the first out Black Representatives, issued a stirring call to pass legislation that creates a truly just America for all [[link removed]] .
Pennsylvania Representative Malcolm Kenyatta restated the need for further reforms and a renewed commitment to creating a more equal world [[link removed]] .
Colorado Representative Leslie Herod joined the rest of the Colorado Black Caucus for a press conference [[link removed]] , saying “we felt a collective sigh of relief, and we felt a moment of solidarity in the work.” [[link removed]]
And as Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones , the first out state Senator in Florida history, reminded us, “ it is long past time to address systemic racism.” [[link removed]]
TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY
Victory Institute was proud to stand with trans women and girls by signing on to an open letter honoring both Women’s History Month and Transgender Day of Visibility [[link removed]] .
Virginia Delegate Danica Roem celebrated Trans Day of Visibility by banning the LGBTQ panic defense in Virginia [[link removed]] . You can also read her call for more out trans people to run for office in The New York Times here [[link removed]] .
Colorado state Representative Brianna Titone wrote a touching op-ed calling for expanded acceptance of all trans lives. Read her piece here! [[link removed]]
Learn a little bit more about our out trans and nonbinary elected officials and their continued fight for equality [[link removed]] !
THE NEW HALL OF FAME!
Victory Institute launched the LGBTQ Victory Hall of Fame, honoring 20 former LGBTQ elected officials, appointed officials and candidates who will be inducted as the Founding Class, as well as Senator Tammy Baldwin, who will be our Lifetime Achievement Inductee [[link removed]] . Learn more and read about the full list here [[link removed]] !
NATIONAL OUT TO WIN DAY
Held annually on April 2nd, Victory Institute hosts National Out to Win Day to educate and encourage out people everywhere to run for office. Head to outtowin.org to learn more and watch inspirational videos from our elected officials and see a sneak peak of our Candidate & Campaign Trainings [[link removed]] !
Read messages from U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi [[link removed]] , U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin [[link removed]] , U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand [[link removed]] , California Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins [[link removed]] , Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau [[link removed]] , Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims [[link removed]] , and Hawaii state Representative Adrian Tam [[link removed]] !
Read Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker’s op-ed in The Advocate , calling for more out leaders to step up and shatter their own lavender ceiling [[link removed]] .
Still not convinced? Hear from U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres and join a panel with Arizona state Representative Daniel Hernández Jr ., Washington County (AR) Justice of the Peace Evelyn Rios Stafford , DC ANC Commissioner Rehana Mohammed and Victory Institute's Executive Director Ruben J. Gonzales about life as an out candidate on the campaign trail. Watch their full conversation here! [[link removed]]
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THE DECISION TO RUN
According to a new report by LGBTQ Victory Institute, LGBTQ women face a unique set of barriers when running for office – and a unique set of threats. Do a deep dive with NBC News [[link removed]?] and The Lily [[link removed]] and read the full report here [[link removed]] !
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REPRESENTATION IS POWER
Guam Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio was named the 2021 recipient of the NLGA Leadership in Energy and Environmental Stewardship Award [[link removed]] !
Charges were dropped against Georgia state Representative Park Cannon after her arrest at the Georgia State Capitol (she knocked on the door of the Governor’s office) [[link removed]] .
As numerous states contemplate anti-trans legislation, our Representatives are leading the charge to stand against these awful bills. In Kansas, state Representative Stephanie Byers applauded the Governor’s veto and provided next steps [[link removed]] .
In Arizona, state Representative Daniel Hernández Jr. asked lawmakers why they weren’t focusing on helping Americans recover from the COVID-19 pandemic [[link removed]] .
In Florida, state Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith reminded trans and LGBTQ kids that they’re perfect, regardless of legislation designed to harm them [[link removed]] .
In response to bigots in her state, Illinois state Representative Kelly Cassidy introduced legislation removing barriers for name changes [[link removed]] .
Washington County Justice of the Peace Evelyn Rios Stafford spoke with the Arkansas governor as he considered anti-trans legislation. After his conversation with Justice Stafford, he vetoed the bill [[link removed]] .
Texas state Representative Mary González was named a “Power Player” by Spectrum News 1 [[link removed]] . She also made history as the first out LGBTQ budget conferee in the state’s history [[link removed]] !
Connecticut state Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan passed legislation streamlining the recognition of non-biological parents [[link removed]] .
Victory Institute caught up with Vermont state Representative Taylor Small for an update on her first term so far, passing pro-equality legislation and more! Read the full interview here [[link removed]] .
Alana Banks won her election to the Decatur School Board, making history as the first out trans person elected to a school board [[link removed]] !
Congratulations to Cozy Bailey , who was just elected the first out mayor of St. Clair, Missouri [[link removed]] !
THE NEXT GENERATION
DEADLINE EXTENSION: Victory Empowerment Fellowship Applications – Due May 30th [[link removed]] !
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We are now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF)!
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In December, the fellow will attend the Victory Institute’s annual International LGBTQ Leaders Conference [[link removed]] for three days of training, skills building, networking and discussion alongside hundreds of openly LGBTQ leaders in government, politics, advocacy, business and community organizations. The fellowship prepares young LGBTQ professionals to become informed decision-makers and influential leaders who can change their communities and our world. Applications are due May 31, 2021 [[link removed]] !
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 [[link removed]] and domestic [[link removed]] trainings, professional development programs [[link removed]] and yearly conferences [[link removed]] , 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 [[link removed]] now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today [[link removed]] !
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LGBTQ Victory Institute
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