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5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
1. Final Stretch for Darden Rice
The election for the next mayor of St. Petersburg is fast-approaching, with just over two weeks until Election Day. While our candidate, Darden Rice, is leading the pack in fundraising, there is much work to do to ensure she becomes the first out LGBTQ mayor of the city.
This week Darden landed [[link removed]] the SEIU endorsement – one of the largest unions in the state – just as an old anti-LGBTQ tweet [[link removed]] surfaced from one of her opponents.
It is a tight race, with nearly 30 percent of candidates undecided, so the coming days are key. You can read more [[link removed]] about Darden on her Victory Fund Spotlight Candidate profile.
2. A National Effort to Impact Redistricting
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data that will propel forward what will be a contentious and politically impactful nationwide redistricting process. And to influence that process, we launched “We Belong Together,” a national LGBTQ redistricting project to ensure LGBTQ neighborhoods and communities are kept together when district lines are drawn.
The project – modeled after a successful statewide effort by Equality California in their state during the last redistricting process – will help create “legacy seats” where LGBTQ voters can continue electing out LGBTQ leaders.
Read about the launch of our project in The New York Times [[link removed]] , Politico [[link removed]] and The Advocate [[link removed]] .
3. Mourning Trailblazing Ambassador Jim Hormel
We are deeply mourning the loss of a close friend and LGBTQ public servant, Ambassador James Hormel, who passed away today. Ambassador Hormel is best known for being the first out LGBTQ ambassador in U.S. history, but he was also a strong philanthropic supporter of LGBTQ causes, including LGBTQ Victory Institute.
When President Clinton nominated Jim to be ambassador to Luxembourg in 1997, anti-LGBTQ U.S. senators worked to block a confirmation vote because of his sexual orientation. Senators called homosexuality “a sin.” The Traditional Values Coalition and Family Research Council attempted to characterize him as “immoral” and anti-religion. The Republican Majority Leader Trent Lott’s refusal to call a confirmation vote led to President Clinton’s recess appointment of Jim in May 1999.
Yet Jim’s perseverance and courage during this hateful episode helped jumpstart a new era where LGBTQ public servants recognized they could serve their country and be out and proud about who they are. His passing is a loss for our movement and our country.
Jim was inducted into the LGBTQ Victory Hall of Fame [[link removed]] this past May.
4. Anti-Trans Attack on Tyler Titus
Erie (PA) School Board Member Tyler Titus won the nomination for Erie County Executive three months ago, but one of their former Democratic opponents can’t help but enter the fray. That opponent used Facebook to launch an anti-trans attack on Tyler and their candidacy – using the wrong gender pronouns and even deadnaming them.
Take a look [[link removed]] at what their former opponent said and what Tyler is asking you do to respond. Tyler will be the first out trans county executive in U.S. history when they win in November.
5. Pennsylvania 2022
2022 is right around the corner and Pennsylvania has two potentially history-making candidates on the ballot. State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta is running for the U.S. Senate and state Representative Brian Sims is running for lieutenant governor. Either would become the first out LGBTQ statewide elected official in Pennsylvania. And our President & CEO, Mayor Annise Parker, has a lot to say about it:
“As the first out LGBTQ person in the state legislature, Brian became a fierce and outspoken voice for equality not just for the LGBTQ community, but for all marginalized Pennsylvanians…”
“We need more people of color, young people and LGBTQ people influencing the decisions that will determine our country’s future — and Malcolm can prove that even swing states will elect these next generation leaders…”
Take a look at the rest of her quotes, and the races, in The Advocate [[link removed]] .
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Ptown Pre-Tea Toast
Headed to the Cape on Labor Day weekend? Start the holiday off right at Ptown Pre-Tea Toast on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET! Spill the tea with friends and connect with LGBTQ leaders from Massachusetts and beyond while raising a glass to LGBTQ history. Register today! [[link removed]]
Nashville Reception Toast
Nashville, we’re back on the road and ready to celebrate LGBTQ political power in Music City! Join us to honor the historic advances made in 2020, Nashville’s first LGBTQ Caucus on the Davidson County Metropolitan Council and give a toast to ensuring more out leaders are elected in 2021 and beyond! Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 7, 2021, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm CT and register here. [[link removed]]
San Diego Brunch
We've missed the San Diego sunshine, and the even-sunnier disposition of California's proud LGBTQ community. Join Victory Fund on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 11:00 am PT to celebrate San Diego's many historic firsts and lasting legacy of LGBTQ political power. Register here [[link removed]] !
30th Anniversary Gala
For the last 30 years, Victory Fund has powered rainbow wave after rainbow wave, electing LGBTQ candidates up and down the ballot who have gone on to make huge changes in their community. Come celebrate LGBTQ political power and raise a glass to progress at Victory Fund’s 30th Anniversary Gala, Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET [[link removed]] !
Paid for by LGBTQ Victory Fund. Your contribution may be used in connection with federal, state and local elections and be subject to federal, state and local laws. Contributions to LGBTQ Victory Fund are not tax deductible. Victory Fund members do not have governance participation rights.
LGBTQ Victory Fund is the political arm of the LGBTQ community. Since our founding in 1991, we’ve supported and elected LGBTQ candidates like U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Governors Jared Polis and Kate Brown and all nine LGBTQ members of U.S. Congress. We've boosted out candidates running for state and local government, including California Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Florida Senator Shevrin Jones, Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod, Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims, Hawaii state Representative Adrian Tam, Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner, and so many more ( meet all of our current candidates here [[link removed]] )! We’ve shattered rainbow ceilings in all 50 states and broken election year records. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today [[link removed]] !
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LGBTQ Victory Fund
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