FOUR LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING

1. Anti-LGBTQ Policies Moving Forward Around the U.S.

Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott attempted to criminalize parents of trans kids as ‘child abusers’ when seeking life-saving care. Shortly after, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a letter calling the LGBTQ community “deceptive sexual propagandists and predators.” Then, he sent a letter to the Austin Independent School District telling them celebrating Pride Week is now “illegal.”

These words have real impact. After hearing these directives, a North Texas school superintendent told school librarians to remove any book about trans people. In total, at least 30 books were removed from school book shelves.

These attacks are being codified in legislative chambers across the country, including Florida where Governor Ron DeSantis today signed the now infamous ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill to ban any discussion of the LGBTQ community in schools.

For weeks leading up to this moment, LGBTQ elected officials and students have been fiercely protesting and fighting this bill, including Florida state Senator Shevrin Jones.

“Everyone does not have a seat at the table in a lot of these state legislatures, so that’s why you see a lot of these bills coming forth. You see bills attack Black communities because there are not enough Black people at the table to call state legislatures out on the bills they’re promoting. And you see bills like the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill because there’s just not enough LGBTQ representation sitting at the table,” said State Senator Shevrin Jones in a recent interview with The Hill.

Unfortunately, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Anti-LGBTQ laws are now spreading like wildfire. In South Dakota, where an anti-trans sports ban was just signed into law, and in Louisiana, where legislators are pushing through a ban on health care for trans kids, there are no out LGBTQ state legislators..

According to the ACLU, there are now almost 240 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this year alone.

2. Colombia More Than Triples LGBTQ Representation in Congress

On March 14, Colombia elected a record number of out LGBTQ people to Congress! With seven total wins, LGBTQ representation in Congress will more than triple. Victory Institute’s Global Programs, in coordination with our in-country partner Caribe Afirmativo, trained two of the candidates who won.

Tamara Argote, who will now represent the capital Bogotá in the Colombian House of Representatives, is the first non-binary person elected to the Colombian Congress!

This historic election exemplifies growing momentum for equality in the country. This year, 24 out LGBTQ people ran in the Congressional election, up over 50% from 2018 when 14 out LGBTQ people ran.

Since 2012, Victory Institute and Caribe have trained over 150 out LGBTQ leaders who either ran for office or are seriously considering running. In addition to training candidates we also assist with LGBTQ voter engagement and education, including educating LGBTQ voters about candidates’ track records on LGBTQ-relevant issues and get out the vote initiatives in races with LGBTQ candidates. Click here to learn more about Victory Institute’s work in Colombia.

3. Admiral Rachel Levine and Representative Keturah Herron Named Women of the Year

USA TODAY’s Women of the Year is an annual recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact. This year, we’re excited to share that Admiral Rachel Levine and Kentucky state Representative Keturah Herron were named to this distinguished list!

“I think women are often the creators of change. In terms of the changes that we see in our society and our culture, I think that women are those changemakers,” said Admiral Levine in an interview with USA TODAY. She received this award, in part, due to her leadership as assistant secretary of health during this global pandemic.

Representative Herron, who was just sworn in a month ago, was recognized for her work as a community activist who helped lead the charge to ban no-knock search warrants in the wake of Breonna Taylor’s murder. She was also honored because of her new role as the first out LGBTQ member of the Kentucky state House of Representatives.

“To be a strong role model in the community, it means to be yourself, walk boldly, walk PROUD, and speak up and stand up for what you know is right,” said Representative Herron in her interview.

4. First Out LGBTQ Women to Co-Chair Texas Democratic Convention

On July 14-16, state representatives Jessica González and Julie Johnson will co-chair the Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas. Chosen for their “strength and vision,” Representatives González and Johnson are the first out LGBTQ women to ever co-chair this historic event. Click here for more information about the Convention.

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

Register by April 1 for the El Paso LGBTQ Leadership Summit! Join LGBTQ Victory Institute and Equality Texas for a day-long, interactive leadership development training for LGBTQ leaders, advocates, activists, and students from the Lone Star State. LGBTQ Leadership Summit trainees will participate in collaborative workshops and discussions on how to run for office or enter public service as an out LGBTQ individual as well as develop an effective personal narrative. Trainees will also spend the day networking with LGBTQ leaders from around Texas. Click here for more information.

Join us April 1-2 for the Global Equality Caucus summit in Mexico City! Victory Institute along with our partners Yaaj Mexico and All Out, will be in Mexico City for a two-day summit celebrating the launch of the Latin America chapter of the Global Equality Caucus. Founded in 2019, the Caucus is an international network of parliamentarians and elected representatives dedicated to tackling discrimination against LGBTQ people. Learn more about the launch of the Latin America Chapter here.

Applications are now open for Victory Institute’s next training in Brazil! Apply by April 4. Hosted by Victory Institute and #VoteLGBT, this webinar series is focused on LGBTQ leaders planning on running in the 2022 Brazilian elections. The training consists of three webinar sessions held on April 12, 19, and 26. Click here to register.

Fall Victory Congressional Internship (VCI) applications are due April 17! Victory Institute’s Victory Congressional Internship is developing the next generation of LGBTQ public leaders. Each semester, the Victory Congressional Internship 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 four strong out leaders to participate in our Fall 2022 cohort which will run from September 4, 2022 to November 13, 2022. Click here to apply.

 

Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF) applications for the 2022-2023 cycle are due May 3, 2022! 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!

Applications for the Portland Candidate and Campaign Training are now open! Held July 21-24, this four-day event provides comprehensive, non-partisan training to present and future LGBTQ candidates, campaign staff and community leaders. Participants will learn the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign situations, and hearing from our campaign experts. Click here to apply.

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 and domestic trainings, professional development programs and yearly conferences, 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 now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today!

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