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FIVE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING
1. ANTI-EQUALITY LEGISLATION SWEEPING THE STATES
A new year, a new slate of coordinated anti-LGBTQ legislation [[link removed]] in the state legislatures [[link removed]] . Most of the bills target access to gender-affirming healthcare for LGBTQ kids or trans kids attempting to play school sports. Over 15 states are working to ban pro-LGBTQ education, criminalize LGBTQ lessons under obscenity laws, or force teachers to out LGBTQ students. [[link removed]]
Many pieces of the legislation are introduced under the guise of ‘parental rights’ [[link removed]] , claiming they empower parents to keep kids ‘safe’ from harmful issues like reproductive justice, race theory or LGBTQ issues. Others are just “zombie” bills: bills that are cobbled together by anti-LGBTQ lawmakers, funded by extremist conservative organizations, again and again in the hopes they will finally pass. [[link removed]]
But passing the bills is not the point. The point is to scare LGBTQ kids, healthcare workers, teachers and other allies and force their silence with the chilling effect. And it’s working: LGBTQ kids are being erased from classrooms [[link removed]] . In South Dakota, where the first anti-trans bill of 2022 passed earlier this year, extremist Governor Kristi Noem was asked why so many LGBTQ youth suffer from anxiety and depression. She was unable to summon an answer (hint: it's her fault) [[link removed]] .
Florida and Texas have earned national headlines this month for the egregious attacks against the LGBTQ community.
In Florida, LGBTQ elected officials, allies and activists are mobilizing against the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. According to Equality Florida, the sponsor of the bill once compared the LGBTQ community to “drunks” and “drug abusers”. [[link removed]]
The Florida House debated the bill on Tuesday – and our LGBTQ leaders were on-hand to block the bill. Out LGBTQ Representative Michele Rayner-Goolsby recognized her wife at the start of the session [[link removed]] before proposing amendments to celebrate and teach different backgrounds. The amendment was voted down [[link removed]] .
Out LGBTQ Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith called the bill “ fearmongering [[link removed]] ” and later proposed an amendment requiring the teaching of LGBTQ history and LGBTQ leaders [[link removed]] . After the bill was voted down, Rep. Smith gave an eloquent and emotional lesson [[link removed]] on LGBTQ history, calling the bill a “deeply personal” attack [[link removed]] .
The LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus urged the Florida legislature to drop the bill [[link removed]] , while Equality Florida has been mobilizing the response in the state. The organization issued a new set of TV ads aimed at raising awareness and exposing Governor Ron DeSantis’s extremism. You can watch both ads here [[link removed]] .
DeSantis has signaled that he will sign the House bill and accompanying state Senate bill into law, should they pass [[link removed]] . The Florida House is expected to vote on Thursday.
When anti-trans legislation failed to pass in Texas, Governor Greg Abbot took matters into his own hands. His administration directed state agencies to investigate gender-affirming healthcare for trans kids as child abuse [[link removed]] , going so far as to criminally penalize doctors, nurses, teachers and other manual reporters who do not out trans kids. [[link removed]] Members of the public are also encouraged to report trans youth.
The White House issued statements about Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill [[link removed]] and Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine spoke out against Abbot’s actions [[link removed]] . America’s first out gay governor, Jarod Polis, called the slate of bills “un-American” [[link removed]] .
While Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and the outrageous actions by Texas’s governor are (rightly) gaining global condemnations, homophobic and transphobic legislation is also moving forward in Alabama [[link removed]] (as is a bathroom bill [[link removed]] ), Indiana [[link removed]] , Ohio [[link removed]] , Oklahoma [[link removed]] , Tennessee [[link removed]] , as well as state legislatures in Kansas, Georgia and Virginia [[link removed]] .
LGBTQ elected officials in these states have been working overtime to stop these bigoted bills – while preparing for more legislation to come.
2. CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
This month, we've been highlighting the phenomenal Black LGBTQ leaders who continue to pave the way. Today, there are just 101 out LGBTQ Black officials serving in the U.S [[link removed]] . Here is some of the work they’re doing to further equality today…
Out LGBTQ U.S. Representatives Mondaire Jones and Ritchie Torres are leading the fight to ensure the latest PrEP drugs are covered by healthcare, removing barriers to life-saving medications [[link removed]] .
When Florida’s first out LGBTQ state Senator Shevrin Jones isn’t speaking against the hateful bills in the legislature [[link removed]] , he’s busy working to ease voting restrictions in Florida [[link removed]] .
Illinois state Senator Mike Simmons , the first out gay member of the Illinois state Senate, has passed the Crown Act [[link removed]] ! The bill bans hair discrimination in schools and normalizes the inclusion of Black hair styles [[link removed]] .
Travis Nelson [[link removed]] shattered a rainbow ceiling as the first out LGBTQ Black member of the Oregon state House [[link removed]] ! Travis was appointed to Speaker Tina Kotek’s seat as she runs for Oregon Governor [[link removed]] .
Oklahoma state Representative Mauree Turner , the first non-binary state legislator elected in the U.S., spoke with Oklahoma Watch about their experiences in the Oklahoma House [[link removed]] .
Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack is leading the charge to update the state’s sex education laws and require the courses to include conversations around gender and sexual orientation [[link removed]] . Mack later faced abusive attacks [[link removed]] from alt-right accounts online [[link removed]] .
West Virginia Delegate Danielle Walker celebrated Black History Month as the only out LGBTQ Black woman to serve in either chamber [[link removed]] . Danielle was, unfortunately, also threated by West Virginians for Life with an anti-abortion message featuring Klansman [[link removed]] . She is now suing the organization [[link removed]] .
Andrea Jenkins, the first out trans city council president in U.S. history, reflected on her historic accomplishment [[link removed]] and the remaining work to be done to ensure Black LGBTQ lives are preserved [[link removed]] .
San Antonio City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez spoke to Kris 6 News about his groundbreaking victory as the first out LGBTQ Black man ever elected in Texas – and his future plans for San Antonio [[link removed]] .
3. MOST PRO-EQUALITY ADMINISTRATION IN U.S. HISTORY
Congratulations to Chantale Wong , who was confirmed and sworn-in as the first out LGBTQ person of color confirmed to an ambassador-level post [[link removed]] ! Chantal also makes history as the first out lesbian in the role [[link removed]] . Victory Institute’s Presidential Appointments Initiative was honored to work with Chantale and the Biden Administration during this process [[link removed]] . Executive Director Ruben J. Gonzales joined her for the swearing-in ceremony:
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4. PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD
Victory Institute team members spoke with 2021 EMPODERA trainees on their work to advance trans rights in Peru. Learn more about their work with Fraternidad TransMasculina (FTM) and their work to reshape equality in Peru [[link removed]] .
Honduras elected its first out gay Congressman, Victor Grajeda , this month! Read up on Victor’s plans to advance LGBTQ equality and address anti-trans violence [[link removed]] .
5. NEW GALLUP DATA & THE REPRESENTATION GAP
There’s good news: a new poll from Gallup shows that 7.1 percent of the U.S. population now identifies as LGBTQ [[link removed]] ! Here’s the bad news: that now means we must elect 35,876 more LGBTQ people to achieve equal representation in government [[link removed]] . This is a huge representation gap – so if you’re an LGBTQ person interested in exploring a career in politics, check out our program and training deadlines below!
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!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPURTUNITIES
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Women Out to Win (WOTW) applications due March 18th [[link removed]] ! Women Out to Win is an advanced campaign training that includes personalized coaching through mentorship and quarterly convenings to address challenges specific to women candidates, such as imposter syndrome, safety concerns, and fundraising. In 2022 we will be selecting five women to participate in the cohort. To learn more and to apply, click here [[link removed]] .
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Victory Empowerment Fellowship (VEF) applications are open now! Please apply April 25 [[link removed]] . The Victory Empowerment Fellowship is for LGBTQ leaders of color and/or transgender leaders who seek to expand their campaign skills and policy-making power and join a strong cohort of movement leaders from across the country. The Victory Empowerment Fellowship consists of three key components provided by the Victory Institute – the Candidate & Campaign Training, International LGBTQ Leaders Conference – and a year-long mentorship program. To learn more and apply, click here [[link removed]] .
Victory Congressional Internship (VCI) Fall applications are due April 17 [[link removed]] ! LGBTQ Victory Institute’s VCI program is developing the next generation of LGBTQ public leaders. Each semester, the VCI brings outstanding LGBTQ college students to Washington, D.C. for an intensive leadership program and an internship with an LGBTQ-friendly member of Congress. We will be selecting 4 strong out leaders to participate in our Fall 2022 cohort which will run from September 4, 2022 to November 13, 2022. To apply, please click here [[link removed]] .
Meet our Spring 2022 VCI Class [[link removed]] : We are proud to announce and introduce the congressional placements of our four interns for the Spring 2022 VCI cohort! This spring’s cohort consists of four fantastic students from across the country who are already engaged in their Congressional internship with an LGBTQ-friendly member of Congress and Victory’s leadership program. To follow on their journey, check out our blog [[link removed]] !
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Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF) applications for the 2022-2023 cycle are due May 3, 2022 [[link removed]] ! The Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF) brings one to three outstanding LGBTQ young professionals to Washington, DC, for an intensive leadership program. The fellows will engage in a year-long placement in the office of a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and go through an educational and leadership development program to learn about the legislative process and careers in policymaking. Click here to learn more and apply today [[link removed]] !
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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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