Four Stories You Should Know About

1. 22 CANDIDATES ENDORSED FOR ELECTIONS IN 2022

Victory Fund endorsed 22 more LGBTQ candidates for the 2022 election cycle, including two Congressional candidates who could determine the fate of the pro-equality majority in the U.S. House: Jasmine Beach-Ferrara for NC-14 (@JBeachFerrara) and Sean Meloy for PA-17 (@MeloySM). Also endorsed was Arizona Attorney General candidate Kris Mayes (@krismayes). View the complete list of newly endorsed candidates.

“The 2022 election cycle presents enormous opportunities for our community, including the potential to dramatically increase the number of LGBTQ people who serve in state legislatures and electing a historic number of LGBTQ people to the U.S. Congress," said President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker. "These LGBTQ candidates are the antidote to the poisonous anti-LGBTQ legislative and political attacks we’ve seen grow over the past year – making it essential we invest early to help them win."

2. LISA MIDDLETON ELEVATED TO MAYOR, MAKING CALIFORNIA HISTORY

Palm Springs City Councilwoman Lisa Middleton (@LisaMiddletonCA) was sworn-in as mayor of the city on Thursday, becoming the first out transgender mayor in California and just the third out transgender mayor in U.S. history. The mayorship in Palm Springs rotates among councilmembers who serve one-year terms.

Lisa is also a Victory Fund-endorsed candidate for the California state senate -- running for an open seat currently occupied by a senator who is term-limited. If elected in 2022, Lisa will be the first out transgender person to serve in the California state legislature. There are currently just eight out transgender state legislators in the entire country.

Lisa's race is centered on constituent services, advancing equality and supporting young people. She aims to build a coalition to “make it possible for the next generation to prosper and live out their California dream.”

3. TINA KOTEK ON HER HISTORIC RACE FOR GOVERNOR

Oregon state House Speaker Tina Kotek (@Tina4Oregon) chatted with LGBTQ Nation about the historic nature of her race to be the first out lesbian governor in U.S. history. "It’s an honor and frankly a privilege to be a trailblazer in this regard," she said. "I think for me it comes down to what message it sends to young people… It is still hard out there." 

Tina has a number of primary challengers in the race, including former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who jumped in despite having no political or governing experience. Earlier this week, Tina announced endorsements from multiple unions that represent a variety of interests and communities -- all praising her leadership experience.

4. 2021 CLASS INDUCTED INTO LGBTQ VICTORY HALL OF FAME

On Saturday at Victory Fund's 30th Anniversary Gala in Washignton, DC, four LGBTQ leaders were inducted into the 2021 class of the LGBTQ Victory Hall of Fame because of their contributions to advancing LGBTQ political power. The four include former Ireland Taoiseach and current Tánaiste Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar), Oregon Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown), former California state Senator Christine Kehoe (@christinekehoe) and Minneapolis City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins (@annapoetic). Congratulations to all of them!

Learn more about why these four leaders were honored and view all LGBTQ Victory Hall of Fame members here.

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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