John,
I’ve spent my career ensuring that LGBTQ people have access to board rooms, meeting rooms and to the halls of political power. And now, I’m so proud to continue this essential fight as the new Board Chair of LGBTQ Victory Institute.
During my career in business, I’ve seen the power that an LGBTQ voice can have. I’ve seen firsthand the changes one person can make – and fought for those changes myself. And now, for the first time in U.S. history, 1,000 out LGBTQ elected officials will be serving. If one voice can make change, imagine what 1,000 can do – then imagine 1,000 more.
As you may know, Victory Institute is proud to have recruited, trained, and elected countless LGBTQ leaders in the United States, and hundreds more around the world. In fact, we’re the only global organization doing this essential work!
And our work has never been more critical. In the past two years alone, we’ve faced a pandemic that has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities. We’ve seen lawmakers use their positions to attack – and even criminalize – LGBTQ people with hateful legislation. They’re happy using our lives as a political weapon.
This may understandably turn some in our community away from public service – wanting to avoid the blood sport of politics and find other avenues to make social change. But fortunately – for our community and our country – more LGBTQ people are stepping up to run than ever before.
This means demand for our programs – including our Candidate & Campaign trainings, our international work, our Victory Empowerment Fellowships and more – has never been higher. It is essential that Victory Institute match demand and expand our trainings and programs. Will you start a monthly donation today and help us grow LGBTQ political power?
LGBTQ leaders are the best defense against attacks – and the best ones to ensure our lives are protected. We are the ones with the courage and commitment to keep our people a priority. We need to be in these legislatures so we can humanize LGBTQ issues, influence the debates, and change the hearts and minds of colleagues and constituents.
The problem is, there simply aren’t enough of us… yet. And in most countries around the world, the numbers are even worse.
We face an enormous gap. A moonshot effort is required to rapidly grow LGBTQ representation in the U.S. and around the world because our opponents are on the offensive. It is a daunting challenge… but one that Victory Institute is taking on.
Will you join us in the fight? Please start a monthly donation today to ensure LGBTQ Victory Institute has the resources we need not just to train the next generation of LGBTQ leaders – but the next 20 generations to come.
I am so proud to be your new Board Chair. Thanks for standing with us.
Michael Fuller
LGBTQ Victory Institute
