Four Stories You Should Know About

1. Election Night 2021!

Election Night 2021 is this Tuesday! There's a lot of rainbow ceilings to shatter and history to be made. In addition to tracking all 131 of our endorsed candidates' races, we'll be keeping a close eye on eight developing stories from around the country.

Among the potential top stories from the night: America could elect more LGBTQ candidates than in any other odd-numbered election year so far, LGBTQ mayors of color are on the verge of making history, and we're so close to adding LGBTQ voices to city councils and school boards around the country! Read up on all eight stories to watch here. 

Here is what some Victory Fund staff will be doing on Election Night…

Mayor Annise Parker, President and CEO

“We have spent this election cycle working hand in hand with 178 candidates from across the country and I am looking forward to a busy, eventful, and historic night. I will be checking in with Victory Fund’s election night map and continuing to be a resource for local campaigns. These state and local elections are key to ensuring increases in LGBTQ political power.

“I can’t wait to celebrate with our team and partners from across the country!”

Elliot Imse, Vice President of Communications

“I will be paying close attention to the Virginia state legislative elections via the Washington Post. There are several endorsed candidates on the ballot, and I am looking forward to celebrating their wins!

I will also be checking in on races in Buffalo and in Minneapolis. Both races have exciting candidates who will make history when they are elected.”

Sean Meloy, Vice President of Political Programs

"I'm excited for all of our endorsees - over 130 Victory Fund candidates will be on the ballot on Tuesday! While I'll be watching all of their races closely, I'll be in-person with Spotlight candidate Tyler Titus in Erie, PA. I can't wait for Tyler to make LGBTQ history as the first out trans county executive in U.S. history."

Follow along with all our candidates and view election results on Tuesday night here!

2. At Least 410 LGBTQ Candidates Ran for Office in 2021!

On Tuesday, Victory Fund released the 2021 Out on the Trail report, which details the number and diversity of LGBTQ candidates who ran for office in 2021. You can read the full report here or check out coverage in USA Today!

Among the findings:

• At least 410 out LGBTQ people ran or are running for offices with elections in 2021, while 237 will be on the ballot this November;
• 36 percent of LGBTQ candidates who ran identify as people of color, officially making this the most diverse group of LGBTQ candidates in history;
• Black LGBTQ candidates grew significantly between 2019 and 2021 while Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ candidates more than doubled;
• Genderqueer and non-binary candidates more than tripled (from five in 2019 to 18 in 2021) and trans-identified candidates increased from 19 to 26;
• LGBTQ candidates ran or are running in 39 states; and
• 9 percent of candidates are running for local positions, showcasing our ability to grow representation during an odd-year election cycle.

“LGBTQ candidates are running in historic numbers and increasingly reflect the diversity of America, with more LGBTQ people of color, bisexual, queer and non-binary leaders choosing public service as the way to make change,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “Next week, we have an opportunity to elect hundreds of LGBTQ leaders who can challenge the anti-LGBTQ forces influencing school boards, city councils and state legislatures across the country. As our community again faces a barrage of anti-LGBTQ bills at the state and local levels, it is imperative we elect LGBTQ people who can impact the debate and humanize LGBTQ issues for other elected leaders.”

3. Tyler Titus's Opponent Caught Lying

Local newspapers in Erie, PA are investigating Tyler Titus’s opponent, Brenton Davis, in the final days of the campaign. The articles discuss irregularities found in both Davis’s military record and vaccine status, uncovering several lies Davis has told. Davis has maintained this is a smear campaign – but his social media posts, shifting timelines and false narrative speak for themselves.

In light of the recent revelations and Tyler’s indisputable qualifications, GoErie endorsed Tyler last weekend. The paper, which normally doesn’t endorse candidates, cited Tyler’s focus on the community, their comprehensive plans for regional development and more. Read their glowing endorsement here.

4. A Moment in LGBTQ History...

After serving on the Houston City Council and as City Controller, Annise Parker was ready to take the next step: running for mayor of Houston, Texas. Her historic election marked a new chapter in the fight for LGBTQ equality, as Mayor Parker claimed the title as the first out LGBTQ mayor of a major U.S. city. Her victory made headlines around the world, including the front page of The Times of India. Mayor Parker served three terms in the role before joining LGBTQ Victory Fund as President & CEO in January 2018.

Learn more about other trailblazers and visionaries in Pride and Progress, the only comprehensive timeline of LGBTQ political history!

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

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!

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)! 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!

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