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FIVE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING
1. THE LATEST LGBTQ VICTORY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Earlier this year, Victory Institute announced the launch of the LGBTQ Victory Hall of Fame and inducted 20 former LGBTQ elected officials, appointed officials and candidates as the Founding Class, and Senator Tammy Baldwin as the Lifetime Achievement Inductee. You can learn more about the Founding Class here! [[link removed]]
Now, we're honored to announce four more out leaders will be inducted to the 2021 class this December [[link removed]] : Irish Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, former California state Senator Christine Kehoe and Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council Andrea Jenkins!
[link removed] [[link removed]]2. PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD
Our training in Peru has now concluded! 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.
Next up: Brazil! Our work with #VoteLGBT continues this month [[link removed]] with our virtual training for Brazilian activists working to increase LGBTQ political participation. Many thanks to Councilor Erika Hilton, the first out trans councilor elected to the Municipal Chamber of São Paulo, for leading this year's training [[link removed]] !
3. HONORING TRANSGENDER LIVES
In 2021, two horrific milestones were achieved. State legislatures across the country introduced over 100 bills aimed at restricting trans rights - more than ever before [[link removed]] - and many passed. In 2021, we also lost a historic number of trans people to anti-trans violence [[link removed]] , most of whom were Black and Latinx.
As The 19th accurately points out, the two are connected. The anti-trans political climate and language used by bigots to debate anti-trans bills dehumanizes and delegitimatizes trans identities [[link removed]] , further othering trans people and trans children. You probably remember the fights over so-called “bathroom bills” – bigots are happily using the same language and formula during debates over school sports and health care to cast trans people as predatory villains [[link removed]] .
And even if the bills in question don’t pass – and far too many of them did – the rhetoric and environment still force trans folks into “survival mode” [[link removed]] and contribute to higher rates of suicide among trans children [[link removed]] .
On Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance, we remembered the almost 50 souls [[link removed]] who were robbed of their right to exist. In a world that far too often singles out transgender people, it is our duty to remember those lost - and do everything we can to ensure more are not claimed by violence. Learn more about being an ally to trans and nonbinary youth [[link removed]] , explore resources for supporting the trans community [[link removed]] and creating a more inclusive world [[link removed]] .
4. 1,000 OUT ELECTED OFFICIALS WILL SERVE IN U.S.
Election Day 2021 saw a new historic milestone - the number of out LGBTQ elected officials serving nationwide will surpass 1,000 for the first time. Currently, there are 997 out LGBTQ elected officials serving [[link removed]] . Yet 53 incumbents were not running for reelection, making it unclear until the victories last night whether the 1,000 threshold would be reached. History, however, has been made [[link removed]] . Learn all about the history made on Election Night [[link removed]] and meet some of the newest elected officials here [[link removed]] !
[link removed] [[link removed]]5. THIS YEAR’S AWARD WINNERS ARE…
[link removed] [[link removed]]First elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2014 when he was only 21, Speaker Ryan Fecteau is now the first out LGBTQ speaker of the Maine House and the youngest presiding officer in America [[link removed]] . A longtime advocate for pro-equality legislation, Speaker Fecteau successfully banned conversion therapy in the state [[link removed]] . His other legislative priorities include expanding affordable housing options, championing career and technical education opportunities, and pushing for solutions to Maine’s childcare challenges. He recently shared his own coming out story in the Bangor Daily News [[link removed]] .
Guatemalan Congressman Aldo Dávila was first elected in 2019, making history as the first out gay man and first HIV-positive person elected to the body [[link removed]] . During his time in office, he stood up to the nation’s health ministry, insisting COVID-19 prevention campaigns include outreach to indigenous populations and others living without internet access. He’s also one of the most high-profile champions of LGBTQ equality in the country [[link removed]] . In response to his advocacy, Congressman Dávila is a target for anti-LGBTQ Congresspeople, and was the victim of a robbery attempt and multiple death threats [[link removed]] . Prior to serving in the legislature, he was the executive director of a Guatemala City-based HIV and AIDS service organization and is a former Victory Institute trainee.
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!
INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ LEADERS CONFERENCE
[link removed] [[link removed]]Want to see the Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award, Congressional Ally Award and Global Trailblazer Award winners receive their awards live and in-person? There's still time to register for the 2021 International LGBTQ Leaders Conference!
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Read the full agenda, view all the speakers that will be joining us, and learn all about the Conference here! There's still time to register - don't miss your chance to join us in Washington, D.C. December 1-4th! [[link removed]]
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TWEET OF THE MONTH
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OUT AND ABOUT: UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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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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LGBTQ Victory Institute
1225 I Street NW, Suite 525
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United States