Five Stories You Should Know About
1. The Bad News in Florida: “Don’t Say Gay” Bill Passes, Despite Protests
The Florida state Senate chose hate this week and passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, sparking outrage across the country – including from President Biden.
For days leading up to the vote, LGBTQ leaders and students protested against the dangerous piece of legislation – including state Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby (@RepMKRG) who joined forces with local students protesting at the Florida state capitol.
Shevrin Jones (@ShevrinJones), the only out LGBTQ Senator in Florida history, fought tooth and nail to stop the bill, and has since called attention to the impact it will have, from impacting students to a ripple effect of similar bills. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also noted: “Make no mistake: This is not an isolated action in Florida.”
Unfortunately, she was right. The same day the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill passed, a similar bill was introduced in the Georgia state Senate – a chamber with only ONE out LGBTQ member, state Senator Kim Jackson (@KimforGeorgia).
2. The Good News in Florida: Ty Penserga Makes LGBTQ History
While legislators in Tallahassee were trying to silence us, voters were making their voices heard at the ballot box – and it paid off! Ty Penserga (@TyPenserga) won his mayoral campaign in Boynton Beach. He is the first out LGBTQ mayor of Boynton Beach and the first out LGBTQ AAPI mayor elected in Florida state history.
Victory Fund and other LGBTQ organizations were on the ground in the days leading up to the election to help get out the vote. While voter mobilization is always a fun time, we’re sure the weather didn’t hurt!
Despite facing multiple anti-LGBTQ attacks during his campaign, Ty kept his cool and stayed above the fray, which worked in his favor on Election Day. And as if Ty’s victory wasn’t sweet enough, his numbers are the cherry on top. Ty won 57% of the vote while the hateful bigot running against him (the same one who went on a homophobic Facebook rant) came in DEAD LAST with just 6%. How do you like them apples?
3. Blame the Gays: How Far-Right Conservatives Pin International Conflict on the LGBTQ Community
As the world responds to the immoral Russian invasion of Ukraine, bigots are using this moment to target the LGBTQ community once again. By engaging in semantic gymnastics instead of focusing on world leaders, military institutions, or bureaucratic channels, they attempt to argue that bad actors are taking advantage of a ‘weaker’, ‘softer’ and ‘gayer’ America. Learn more here.
4. Victory Fund Endorses Eric Sorensen for Congress
Victory Fund endorsed Eric Sorensen (@ERICSORENSEN) for U.S. House of Representatives (IL-17). Sorensen would be the first out LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Illinois.
As a former meteorologist, Eric is a trusted community leader who has spent the last two decades keeping the people of Northern Illinois safe by telling the truth, reinforcing the importance of science and data, and showing up as his authentic self. He is a fierce advocate for addressing the climate crisis and promoting environmental justice.
Our forecast? Sunny with a high chance of victory.
5. Women’s History Month: Celebrating Becca Balint
Pop quiz: which state has NEVER elected a woman to Congress?
Hint: the state has also NEVER elected an LGBTQ person to Congress.
Answer: Vermont.
But not for long! Becca Balint (@BeccaBalintVT) is running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Not only is she a fierce advocate for equality, she has the political chops and wherewithal to crush it in Congress. She’s done it before and she can do it again – Becca is the first woman and first out gay person to serve as the Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore.
As Becca told LGBTQ Nation, she has always looked at her success as a responsibility to help other marginalized voices access positions of power. “I want us as a nation to survive, and we need as many allies trying to save the Republic as we can get, and it can’t just fall down along political lines.”
This week as been tough for the LGBTQ community – so here’s a piece of good news: meet Fred, Becca’s new Deputy Communications Director.
