John,
Why does your local school board matter? On a regular day, schoolboards might review the district's education budget or determine the district's goals and policies for the year. At first glance, these agenda items might not seem thrilling. But the schoolboard holds a lot of power - especially as more and more school districts begin to grapple with so-called “hot button” issues, like LGBTQ and racial equality.
Here's one example: it was early July - and it was supposed to be a typical schoolboard meeting. But the gathering erupted in chaos as angry anti-LGBTQ protestors flooded the room, chanting "shame on you". The target of their fury? A proposed policy, which would have allowed trans and gender-expansive students to use their chosen name, pronouns, and restroom. As the melee spread, the board was forced to close the meeting, and several protesters were arrested.
Contrast the chaos in Virginia’s Loudon County to neighboring Fairfax County, where Victory Institute Candidate & Campaign Training alumnus Karl Frisch is on the school board.
Just a few years ago, Fairfax County was in the same boat as Loudoun County, with extremists turning out by the hundreds to protest school board meetings and slow progress for LGBTQ students. But with Karl's election in 2019, the tide began to turn. Karl was the first out LGBTQ local elected official in Fairfax County - and his presence on the board has meant that pro-equality measures and trans-friendly reforms are being passed – and anti-equality measures don’t stand a chance.
While bigots in neighboring Loudoun County were protesting children's safety, the Fairfax County School Board passed a sweeping slate of pro-equality reforms, ensuring transgender and other gender-expansive or non-binary students have the support and resources they need to thrive in school.
Karl led the charge to ensure LGBTQ students are safe to learn in Virginia's largest school system. He has stood up against anti-LGBTQ attacks by the KKK, spearheaded several equality initiatives, including making robust regulations to protect trans and non-binary students and updating the Student Rights and Responsibilities policy in Fairfax County Public Schools to include trans and gender-expansive students, and updating online resources and family life education programs to include LGBTQ families.
Karl's work to protect LGBTQ students and staff in the face of bigotry and hate could be a model for other legislators looking to push back against anti-trans extremism. As an out leader on the school board, Karl is working everyday to ensure that LGBTQ people are seen, valued and protected. His hard work also shows the value of Victory Institute's mission to train and support out leaders. We host LGBTQ-specific training and leadership programs, like the Candidate & Campaign Training Karl attended, to ensure out leaders have the knowledge to run - and win - their campaigns. After all, representation IS power - the power to make a huge difference in the fight for equality.
Victory Institute is proud to train out elected officials like Karl as they change the face of government - and as they push for equality at all levels of government. But to train and support more out leaders, we need your help. Pitch in today to support LGBTQ leaders like Karl - and change American politics for the better.
Thanks for standing with us,
LGBTQ Victory Institute
