THE FOUR LGBTQ HEADLINES NOT TO MISS

1. OUT FOR AMERICA: A 17% INCREASE IN LGBTQ ELECTED OFFICIALS

Victory Institute released our 2021 Out for America report, our annual look at the number and demographics of out LGBTQ elected officials in the United States. The number of out elected officials increased by 17% and a record-breaking 986 are currently serving in elected office in the United States! You can read an exclusive story about it in The New York Times, published yesterday morning. Or if you want to get into the details, you can browse the full report and all the key findings here.

Here are the top findings:

• LGBTQ elected officials of color increased by 51% nationwide;
• Black LGBTQ elected officials increased by 75% (from 52 to 91);
• Trans women elected officials increased by 71% (from 21 to 36);
• Bisexual elected officials increased by 37% (from 52 to 71);
• Out queer elected officials increased by 83%; but
• We still must elect 28,116 more LGBTQ people to achieve equitable representation.

You can also read more in The Hill, Business Insider, Playbook PM, The Advocate, Capital Times, or listen to Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker’s interview with Sirius XM here.

2. ELECTORAL SUCCESS OF LGBTQ CANDIDATES BY GENDER IDENTITY

Victory Institute also released a five-year analysis of the electoral success of LGBTQ candidates by gender identity. Our team analyzed the win/loss rates for over 1,000 Victory Fund-endorsed candidates and found that queer cisgender women win at the highest rates. But that’s just the beginning of the story. You can read the full report and the rest of our findings here. NBC News also covered our research in an exclusive article, which you can read here.

Victory Institute also held our first Women Out to Win Convening to discuss the state of LGBTQ women in politics. Meet the first Women Out to Win mentorship cohort and hear from out women about their experiences on the campaign trail. You can watch the full program here!

3. DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS

More than 50 members of the Texas House fled the state earlier this week, preventing the remaining legislators from calling a quorum and passing a bill severely limiting the right to vote.

Out LGBTQ state Rep. Celia Israel even postponed her wedding ceremony, stating; "I love this state so much. And things are really getting bad in Texas and we felt like it was important for us to put everything on a shelf, let's leave.”

Rep. Israel also joined out LGBTQ state Rep. Erin Zwiener on MSNBC to explain why they left the state and their current efforts to lobby for voting rights on Capitol Hill. The Texans have also been meeting with U.S. senators to make their case for federal protections.

Also, LGBTQ state legislators defeated a massive slate of anti-trans legislation earlier this year. But while the delegates are in DC to protect voting rights, Governor Greg Abbott is plotting a “solution” to the “problem” of trans health care.

5. THE MOST PRO-EQUALITY ADMINISTRATION YET

Victory Institute’s Presidential Appointments Initiative celebrated a month of Presidential historic firsts! The Biden administration has nominated Chantale Wong as U.S. Director to the Asian Development Bank with the rank of Ambassador. Chantale is the first out lesbian and first out person of color ever nominated for an ambassador-level position.

Gina Ortiz-Jones and Shawn Skelly made LGBTQ history after their U.S. Senate confirmations earlier this month. Jones, who was confirmed as Undersecretary of the Air Force, is the first out lesbian to serve in the position. Skelly, who will serve as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, is the first out trans person in the position and the highest-ranking out trans defense official in U.S. history.

The Biden Administration also celebrated Pride Month in style, lighting the walls of the White House with rainbow hues and hosting an exhibit featuring key moments in LGBTQ history. Learn more about the exhibit here!


Did we miss a headline? It happens sometimes! Reply to this email to let us know what we missed – we might feature it on our social media or in next month’s newsletter!

TWEET OF THE MONTH

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Securing global representation is more important than ever before – especially as anti-trans movements sweep the globe. In some extreme cases, such as the recent laws passed in Nicaragua, even organizing a human rights or pro-equality movement is banned.

With these laws in mind, we invite you to join Victory Institute for our biannual LGBTI Political Leaders in the Americas Conference, the largest in the world to connect out LGBTI elected officials, advocates, public servants and allies with like-minded leaders to increase LGBTI political power. Come strategize, connect with and hear from amazing out leaders from across the Americas and the Caribbean. Join us online and connect with out leaders from around the continent. Don’t wait – register today!


Peruvians: are you interested in strengthening your leadership skills? Apply for EMPODERA! This training promotes effective participation in the political and social sphere of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) people who aspire to participate in the democratic processes of Peru. This six-week virtual course will include presentations by expert and professionals in the field. You can apply from July 19 to August 15, by clicking on this link.  

INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ LEADERS CONFERENCE

Registration is open for the 2021 International LGBTQ Leaders Conference! And this year, we’re trying something brand new: a hybrid conference! While we hope you can join us in-person at the JW Marriott, we understand you might not be ready to hit the road just yet. This year’s Conference will also be held virtually! Register before September 6 and take advantage of our Early Bird Rate!

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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