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John:
This morning, you heard from my fellow Victory Empowerment Fellow Toni Duran on how the fellowship helped us prepare to run for office and create a network of other LGBTQ leaders of color and trans leaders we can rely on throughout the process. That is why it’s so important for us to hit our $25,000 match to support the fellowship!
Before I tell you a little bit about my experience, can you help us hit our $25,000 goal? With your help, we can raise up to $50,000 (thanks to a match) for a new generation of LGBTQ leaders. [[link removed]]
Not having any background in politics and because I plan to run for the Colorado state House soon, attending the Candidate and Campaign Training was essential. Most of what I learned was skills-based, but I also learned about some devastating statistics:
*
The
average
life
span
of
a
trans
black
woman
is
only
35;
*
Two-spirit
indigenous
people
are
disappearing
at
an
alarming
rate
without
any
reporting;
and
*
Roughly
3,000
more
trans
people
need
to
be
elected
into
office
to
achieve
equal
representation.
These shocking facts are what make this fellowship so revolutionary. We must train and mobilize LGBTQ leaders of color and trans folks who will represent and defend their communities as elected leaders. And that’s the point of this program: to elevate leaders who will take what they learn and use it to defend those like them. Help us hit our goal: contribute to our match campaign today! [[link removed]]
I have many stories from the trainings and mentoring I received throughout the fellowship. I networked with amazing community leaders and elected officials, met with incredible mentors, and were able to share our stories and experiences as trans people and people of color with a broader audience that will hopefully spark difficult discussions amongst our leaders regarding policy and the importance of true representation. And I heard from some incredibly inspirational leaders at the federal level, including Congresswomen Sharice Davids, Angie Craig and Pramila Jayapal.
Hearing from other fellows about their passion and drive to fight for LGBTQ people not only gives me hope but reignited a fire in me to do more and be more for our community. Thanks to the Victory Empowerment Fellowship, you’ll see me on the Colorado ballot in 2020 or 2022.
When I look at the legacy of past fellows and consider what the future holds for myself and the other 2019 fellows, I’m so proud. Now, we can give another LGBTQ leader of color or trans leader the same chance to learn and grow. Will you help us fund this essential program and contribute to our match? [[link removed]]
The overall program was indescribable, with so many amazing experiences it’s difficult to pinpoint just one. I would never have been able to experience this without the help of Victory Institute and the fellowship program. This program is essential and the amount you donate today will impact how many fellows we have in the future. Donate to our Victory Empowerment Fellow match today. [[link removed]]
Thanks again for your support -
Shawn Turk
2019 Victory Empowerment Fellow
DONATE [[link removed]]
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 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. This email was sent to [email protected].
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