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Welcome to OutPower , a monthly update on the impact of LGBTQ leaders from the U.S. and around the world. You'll also get an update on all of Victory Institute's programs, conferences, trainings and more. We like to keep busy.
Know someone looking for more info on Victory Institute or thinking about running for office? Forward this newsletter to them. [[link removed]]
(PRO-EQUALITY) PARTY IN THE U.S.A.
A future Arizona Senator (perhaps!) wrote about current U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema [[link removed]] for Time’s 100 Next .
Fresh off the campaign trail, Virginia’s LGBTQ state legislators are working with allies to create legislation protecting trans students' rights, restricting conversion therapy and more [[link removed]] .
Colorado state Representative Alex Valdez [[link removed]] is now the Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus! Congratulations!
Spotlight on Chicago: Former President Barack Obama is opening his presidential library on the South Side [[link removed]] , with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s assistance [[link removed]] .
N.J. Akbar , the newest openly LGBTQ Muslim elected official in the United States, discussed his recent win with The Advocate and his plans to bring a new prospective to the Akron Public Schools Board of Education. [[link removed]]
Vermont Senate Majority Leader Becca Balint shared her thoughts on our 2019 Conference and the impact of being an openly LGBTQ elected official [[link removed]] . Thanks again for joining us and sharing your story!
What’s it like to be the first openly LGBTQ Mayor of College Park, MD? Mayor Patrick Wojahn has the answer. Read about his journey – and potential next steps – here [[link removed]] .
A new kind of judge, a new kind of courtroom: how Judge Rachel Bell is changing Tennessee’s judicial system for the better [[link removed]] .
TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH VICTORY INSTITUTE
During Colombia’s elections, 21 new openly LGBTQ candidates were elected to office, including Claudia López as Mayor of Bogota. She is the first women and openly LGBTQ person elected mayor of a major city in Latin America. [[link removed]]
A quick update on the tumultuous political situation in Peru [[link removed]] : our former trainee Gahela Tseneg is running for Congress in Peru [[link removed]] ! She is the first trans person to be a candidate for Congress in Peru. Luisa Redilla , also one of our trainees, was the first ever trans candidate in Peru and first council member in the Country.
After a decision of the electoral court in Peru, Alberto de Belaunde will be able to run for a seat in Congress again. He registered as a candidate last week, after receiving our Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award [[link removed]] .
Canada is working hard to protect LGBTQ rights worldwide while defending LGBTQ Canadians. Read more about their efforts here. [[link removed]]
LGBTQ Victory Institute and Diversidad Dominicana have opened registration for the School of LGBTI Political Leadership in the Dominican Republic! The third School will be in Santo Domingo and will consist of three modules. Registration is open until December 30. Learn more and register here! [[link removed]]
Victory Institute was invited by the Committee on Judicial and Political Affairs of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) to exchange strategies and best practices to combat violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons. Victory Institute spoke about its experience working in the region and the importance of representation and political participation of LGBTQ persons. We invited Alberto de Belaunde to share his testimony on the impact that diversity has in public office.
Alheli! [[link removed]]
CONFERENCE: THAT'S A WRAP!
Thank you to all our generous conference sponsors and our presenting sponsor, Comcast. We couldn’t host such an amazing conference without their support!
It’s official: our annual Conference is wrapped up for 2019. By all accounts, it was a phenomenal time. You can view all the photos (and tag people!) here [[link removed]] .
Here’s the highlights of some of our favorite moments:
While 2018 saw a Rainbow Wave of LGBTQ candidates, we’re getting ready for an ever bigger wave in 2020 – a Rainbow Tsunami, if you will [[link removed]] . Wondering how we’re going to train and activate those new LGBTQ leaders? Watch Mayor Parker’s speech here. [[link removed]]
During International Pre-Conference Programming: Populism vs. Democracy, Mayor Parker also described the various threats that are encroaching on democracy [[link removed]] .
U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids [[link removed]] joined Victory Institute to discuss being the only openly LGBTQ indigenous elected official.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders spoke from the Main Stage to give a quick update on the 2020 Presidential race [[link removed]] and reaffirm his commitment to LGBTQ issues [[link removed]] . Attendees also heard from Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren via video.
Rising LGBTQ leaders Deb Butler [[link removed]] and Alberto de Belaunde [[link removed]] received the 2019 Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award from past winners Carlos Guillermo Smith and Danica Roem [[link removed]] !
U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal received the Congressional Ally Award [[link removed]] and spoke to our attendees about immigration reform and called for Stephen Miller’s resignation [[link removed]] . Busy day!
Thanks to our generous sponsors at AARP, we taped our first podcast: Reclaiming Our History: Stonewall 50 [[link removed]] . Coming soon to a podcast medium near you!
Meanwhile, old friends connected, and new friendships were made. With LGBTQ elected officials and program attendees [[link removed]] from Kansas [[link removed]] to California [[link removed]] to Nebraska [[link removed]] in attendance, it’s truly the BEST gathering of LGBTQ leaders in the world!
Save the date for next year’s International LGBTQ Leaders Conference: Wednesday December 2 – Saturday December 5. See you next year!
2020 Conference [[link removed]]
VICTORY AROUND THE WORLD
Victory Institute’s International Team traveled to Recife, Brazil for Ocupa Política – a gathering of progressive organizations, activist groups and more seeking to transform national outrage into political participation. Victory Institute organized a panel with state legislator Robeyonce De Lima , the first trans woman elected in Brazil’s northeastern Pernambuco state. Read the full update on the event here! [[link removed]]
LGBTQ Victory Institute and Diversidad Dominicana have opened registration for the School of LGBTI Political Leadership in the Dominican Republic! The third module will be in Santo Domingo and will consist of three sessions. Registration is open until November 30. Learn more and register here! [[link removed]]
COMING SOON TO A STATE NEAR YOU
We spend a lot of time on the road - but we wouldn’t travel with anyone but our generous travel partner, Southwest Airlines ! A HUGE thank you to Southwest Airlines for their support and partnership.
Interested in attending one of our 2020 programs? Applications for our Candidate and Campaign Trainings [[link removed]] , Victory Congressional Internships [[link removed]] and Victory Empowerment Fellowship [[link removed]] ARE NOW LIVE! Apply today!
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LGBTQ Victory Institute is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions or gifts to LGBTQ Victory Institute are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Victory Institute is only national organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our training and professional development programs, each year Victory Institute assists hundreds of individuals who go on to 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.
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LGBTQ Victory Institute
1225 I (Eye) Street NW, Suite 525
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