FIVE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING

1. Respect for Marriage Act Passed in the U.S. House

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill would protect marriage equality for LGBTQ people and interracial marriages and ensure long-term stability for these families by providing important statutory protections for their marriages.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been outspoken about protecting marriages like his own. Secretary Buttigieg called out Republican Senator Marco Rubio for having time to feud with Disney, while not backing a bill to codify marriage equality. Rubio previously called the bill a "stupid waste of time."

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first LGBTQ person elected to the body, is leading the effort in the Senate to secure votes for the Respect for Marriage Act.

On the House Floor, several LGBTQ Representatives, such as New York Congressman Mondaire Jones, vulnerably shared how the threat to marriage equality is deeply personal. Wisconsin Representative Mark Pocan talked about how he wants to ensure his husband can visit him in the hospital. New York Congressman Ritchie Torres and Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig were also key figures in this decision who proudly advocated for the passage of this bill.

 

2. New Report: Few & Under Fire: LGBTQ School Board Members in the U.S.

 

LGBTQ Victory Institute released a report analyzing the state of LGBTQ representation on school boards across the country and the attacks LGBTQ school board members face while running for and serving in office. The new report shows just 0.1% of school board members in the U.S. are LGBTQ and that 51% have faced anti-LGBTQ verbal attacks as members. Click here to access the full report.

3. Global Team Finishes Trip to Colombia and Peru

In Bogota, Colombia our Global team worked with our partners, Caribe Afrimativo and the Observatorio de Participación Political en Colombia, to facilitate a 2-day training for out LGBTQ elected officials and participated in panel discussions about LGBTQ equality in the region. To wrap up the training, the participants marched in the capital city's PRIDE parade with the out LGBTQ elected officials from across the country.



The next stop: Peru! Our team joined our partners, PROMSEX and Jurado Nacional de Elecciones, for the closing and graduation ceremony for EMPODERA 2022 - our 8-week long LGBTQI political participation training program in Peru. Over 40 participants from across the regions and capital city graduated from the program, which included sessions on electoral reforms and law, digital security, political communications, and building electoral campaigns.



Spotlight from our network: From August 17-19, Mexican Congresswoman Salma Luévano gathered a group of LGBTQ leaders, elections and human rights experts from across the continent to develop a Declaration of LGBTQI Political and Electoral Rights - an initiative presented in the Mexican Congress this March.

Click here to learn more about our work in Colombia and click here to learn more about our work in Peru.

4. Victory Institute and GLAAD Respond to Targeted Harassment of Out Gay Oklahoma Mayor 

Adam Graham - LGBTQ mayor of The Village, Oklahoma - posted a letter of resignation on Twitter, saying he's increasingly become the target of extremist hate recently. He also received "threats and attacks bordering violence" and no longer feels safe to serve as mayor of the city.

LGBTQ Victory Institute & GLAAD responded to the targeted harassment against Adam, condemning anti-LGBTQ hate. Click here to read the full statement.

There are currently only five out LGBTQ elected officials currently serving in Oklahoma.

5. Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins Introduces Bill to Protect Abortion Rights

The California State Assembly voted to amend the state constitution to explicitly protect reproductive rights. Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins' amendment increases access to affordable, quality abortion and reproductive care in California.

California voters will decide whether the amendment is added to the state constitution when they vote in November.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

 

Join us in Washington, D.C. November 30 - December 3 for the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference! Our annual conference brings together over 600 LGBTQ elected officials, leaders, and advocates from across the world who are working to move equality forward. The conference includes four days of networking and building as we strategize the year ahead in our movement for equality. Click here to register today with our Early Bird Rate!

Spring 2023 Victory Congressional Internship are applications due September 25! LGBTQ 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 undergrads to participate in our Spring 2023 cohort which will run from January 30 to April 9, 2023. 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 global 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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