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SEVEN LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING
1. HONORING LGBTQ HISTORY
October is LGBTQ History Month, and we celebrated in style! We added dozens of stories and posts [[link removed]] to Pride and Progress , the only comprehensive timeline covering LGBTQ political history. Scroll through the website here [[link removed]] !
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2. THE MOST PRO-EQUALITY ADMINISTRATION YET
Victory Institute’s Presidential Appointments Initiative applauded more groundbreaking appointments this month [[link removed]] , including former LGBTQ Victory Institute Board Chair, Debra Shore ! Debra was appointed to be the next Region Five Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency [[link removed]] and will oversee six states in the Midwest and the lands of 35 federally recognized tribes [[link removed]] .
Gigi Sohn was nominated as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission [[link removed]] and will make history as the first out LGBTQ Commissioner in FCC history [[link removed]] !
Dr. Rachel Levine was sworn in as the nation’s first out transgender four-star officer across all uniformed service branches and has obtained the ceremonial rank of Admiral [[link removed]] ! Though some attempted to diminish the moment with transphobic remarks [[link removed]] , Admiral Levine addressed the nation with her customary grace [[link removed]] .
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sparked a much-needed conversation about parental leave [[link removed]] when it was revealed he had spent several months with his new children. This didn’t sit well with Tucker Carlson, however [[link removed]] . But as Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker said: “we should give Tucker the collective eye roll he deserves.” [[link removed]]
3. PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD
Our training in Peru started on September 20th! The LGBTI-EMPODERA Training School 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. For eight weeks, 35 LGBTQ leaders will be trained and attend virtual session with presentations given by leading political experts.
Don’t forget! Victory Institute also hosted our biannual LGBTI Political Leaders in the Americas Conference [liderazgoslgbt.com] , 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. LGBTI leaders, activists and allies strategized, connected and heard from amazing out leaders from across the Americas and the Caribbean. Learn more about the Conference here [[link removed]] !
4. BIGOTRY ON THE MARCH
After three failed attempts and special sessions dedicated to enshrining hatred into law, Governor Greg Abbott signed Texas’ horrific anti-trans bill [[link removed]] . The law – which bans trans students from playing sports [[link removed]] – is just one of many pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation passed this year in the United States. Out state Representative Erin Zwiener , who has been on the forefront of the fight with the rest of the state’s LGBTQ Caucus [[link removed]] , called the bill what it is: a mean-spirited attack on vulnerable children [[link removed]] , while one Texas mother described it as “a living nightmare” [[link removed]] .
Not to be outdone, one Texas lawmaker alleged that Texas state law – which still defines marriage as between one man and one woman – overruled national law and Supreme Court rulings [[link removed]] .
North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson was recorded calling the LGBTQ movement “filth” and using transphobic rhetoric in a speech. The video captured [[link removed]] by Right Wing Watch has circulated around Twitter. Our LGBTQ lawmakers affirmed their support and dedication to preserving LGBTQ rights in the face of such terrible homophobia and transphobia. [[link removed]]
5. INCLUSIVE SCHOOL BOARDS UNDER ATTACK
School board meetings across the country are seeing more and more turn into riotous events. Unfortunately, many protestors are citing pro-LGBTQ legislation as the reason for their ire [[link removed]] , with a noted particular hatred of anything pro-trans [[link removed]] . Reporting by LGBTQ Nation has revealed that many protestors were mobilized by far-right religious groups, such as Tony Perkins’s Family Research Council [[link removed]] . Many extremists groups are now hosting “school board boot camps”, dedicated to training their devoted followers to run for office [[link removed]] .
These discussions naturally have an effect on the LGBTQ students in the school. According to the Trevor Project, over 52% of LGBTQ kids have been bullied in school, and some schools are unwilling to take action, fearing backlash [[link removed]] .
But there are glimmers of hope. After one parent performed an exorcism (seriously) during a school board meeting in Fairfax County [[link removed]] , the first out elected in Fairfax County, Karl Frisch reminded the board: “ to be clear, nothing will disrupt our Board’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ students, families and staff. Nothing [[link removed]] .” Students in the district are also leading the charge to reinstate two LGBTQ books that were banned [[link removed]] .
Meanwhile, the D.C. State Board of Education unanimously voted to approve a resolution calling for LGBTQ inclusive education standards. The push for progress was led by out board member Allister Chang , who noted that students who have access to LGBTQ materials “are more likely to report lower frequency of bullying, lower levels of depression, more accepting peers, and greater feelings of safety in school.” [[link removed]]
6. RUN FOR OFFICE – WITH SNAPCHAT!
Earlier this month, Victory Institute was proud to partner with Snapchat for their new Run for Office in-app tool [[link removed]] ! Aimed at increasing civic engagement in young people [[link removed]] , the tool also provides information on upcoming local races, voting information, and essential information on how to run for office [[link removed]] . We’re ready to train the “Snapchat generation” on how to run [[link removed]] !
7. VICTORY IN THE NEWS
Victory Institute is on the airwaves! Don’t miss You Brita Vote , featuring Victory Institute’s Executive Director Ruben Gonzales [[link removed]] , and LGBTQ&A with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin [[link removed]] !
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!
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TWEET OF THE MONTH
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INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ LEADERS CONFERENCE
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Registration is open for the 2021 International LGBTQ Leaders Conference [[link removed]] ! 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 today! [[link removed]]
Have you voted yet for the 2021 winners of the Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award and Global Trailblazer Award? Don't worry - voting is still open, and you can still support your favorite LGBTQ leaders. Remember: the person with the most votes, wins! Voting for both awards closes on Thursday, November 4th at 11:59pm PST, so make sure you cast your vote right away! [[link removed]]
CAST YOUR VOTE... Main Header: 2021 TAMMY BALDWIN BREAKTHROUGH AWARD NOMINEES Smaller text: The Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award is given to an up-and-coming U.S. state, U.S. local or international LGBTQ elected official with a promising political career who champions equality and lives to fight for the LGBTQ community. Ryan Fecteau Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives The first out LGBTQ person to serve as Speaker of the Maine House! Shevrin Jones Florida State Senate The first out LGBTQ person elected to the Florida state Senate! Adrian Tam Hawaii House of Representatives The only out LGBTQ person currently serving in the Hawaii state legislature! Tyler Titus President of the Erie (PA) School Board The first openly trans person elected to public office in Pennsylvania! Main Header: 2021 GLOBAL TRAILBLAZER NOMINEES Smaller text: The Global Trailblazer Award recognizes international LGBTQ leaders abroad for their contributions to global equality. Aldo Dávila Guatemalan Congress The first out LGBTQ person and first HIV-positive member elected in the country! Erika Hilton São Paulo, Brazil City Council The first out trans councilor elected by the city of São Paulo and the most voted councilor in the country! Salma Luévano Chamber of Deputies, Mexican Congress One of the first two out trans women to be elected to the Mexican Parliament! Terry Reintke Member of the European Parliament, Germany [[link removed]]
OUT AND ABOUT: UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPURTUNITIES
Victory Institute just wrapped up our final Candidate & Campaign Training of the year in sunny San Diego, California! 29 LGBTQ leaders joined us to learn the ins-and-outs of running for office and handling life on the trail as an out candidate. Read up on the training here [[link removed]] !
Stay tuned for more information on our 2022 trainings – coming soon!
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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.
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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