John:

Earlier this year, I was given the most incredible opportunity when Victory Institute chose me to be one of their ten Victory Empowerment Fellows. I’ve been able to meet, work with, and become friends with nine other amazing individuals from across the United States – people like me who know what it’s like to fight to be seen and heard. In August, Victory Institute brought us together for its signature Candidate and Campaign Training in Minneapolis, where they taught us how to run a campaign and speak with voters. While many of the skills I learned are being used in my current run for San Diego City Council, one of the most impactful moments was meeting Brenda, Chloe, Dan, Gary, Mariah, Paul, Preston, Shawn and Stephanie.

The Victory Empowerment Fellowship is so important because it prioritizes the voices of rising LGBTQ leaders and gives us each the tools we need to take the next step in our political careers. And right now, a generous donor has offered to match up to $25,000 for this program. Will you donate today and help us meet our match?

As part of the fellowship, Victory Institute brought us together again last month at the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. I attended my first conference in 2013 – and I’ve joined every year since! But this year, being with the rest of the fellows made it more impactful than ever. Together we led one of the breakout sessions on the LGBTQ leaders of color and trans leaders who transformed our movement for equality – and on the importance of those diverse voices in our movement going forward.

While the fellowship is nearing its end, our cohort continues to stay in touch– supporting and encouraging each other in our personal, work and campaign lives. We made each other stronger and are living examples of why it is so important to give more leaders like us the mentorship and training they need.

With your help and this donor match, we can continue and even grow the Victory Empowerment Fellowship. John, we can raise up to $50,000 on Giving Tuesday. Will you donate today and support the next group of Victory Empowerment Fellows?

Victory Institute helped amplify voices that need to be heard by bringing us into spaces that some of us don’t always have access to – partially because of the financial burden. Thanks to Victory Institute, we are building the next generation of diverse LGBTQ leaders who will fight for our community.

Chip in to help us meet our match today.

Thanks so much for your support –

Toni Duran

2019 Victory Empowerment Fellow