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FIVE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING 1. SAY HELLO! TO OUR VEFs AND VCF WHILE SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR VCIs Victory Institute announced our new class of Victory Empowerment Fellows (VEF)! You can learn more about the 2021 VEFs here. This fellowship is for emerging LGBTQ leaders of color and transgender leaders who seek to expand their campaign skills and policy-making power and be part of a strong cohort of movement leaders from across the country. Our fellows attend our LGBTQ-specific Candidate & Campaign Training and International LGBTQ Leaders Conference, and participate in a year-long mentorship program.
And a big welcome to Benjamin Hong Starr, the 2021-2022 Victory Congressional Fellow (VCF)! This fellowship brings one outstanding young LGBTQ professional to Capitol Hill for an intensive fellowship that includes a yearlong placement in the office of a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus. Benjamin will also participate in a leadership development program that explores the policy-making process, includes our Candidate & Campaign Training, and dives into the pressing issues facing the LGBTQ community. His fellowship begins August 30, 2021.  We also sadly said goodbye to our Summer 2021 Victory Congressional Interns (VCIs). While this class did most of their internship virtually, they were able to spend the final week with us in-person in DC. Read all about their experiences and internship on the Summer 2021 Victory Congressional Interns Blog! 2. THE MOST PRO-EQUALITY ADMINISTRATION YET The Biden administration continues to show a strong commitment to LGBTQ equality. This month, we were thrilled to celebrate two out LGBTQ judicial nominees, Justice Beth Robinson and Charlotte Sweeney. 3. L-G-B-T IN THE KANSAS STATE LEGISLATURE Congratulations are in order for Heather Meyer, who was appointed to fill an open seat in the Kansas state Legislature! Heather makes history as the first out bisexual person to serve in the body. She joins Representatives Brandon Woodard, the first out gay man elected to the body, Susan Ruiz, the first out lesbian elected to the body, and Stephanie Byers, the first out trans person elected in the state. 4. PETE AND CHASTAN’S BIG NEWS Earlier this week, Pete and Chasten Buttigieg, announced they are adopting a child and will soon be parents. Pete wrote on Twitter: “The process isn’t done yet and we’re thankful for the love, support, and respect for our privacy that has been offered to us. We can’t wait to share more soon.” 5. 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 earlier this month. 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. |
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TWEET OF THE MONTH
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OUT AND ABOUT: UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPURTUNITIES 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!
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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 in Washington, DC, 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! |
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LGBTQ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268. |
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