FIVE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING

1. Record Number of LGBTQ Elected Officials Serving in the United States, Up 5.8% from 2021

LGBTQ Victory Institute released its 2022 Out for America Report, the only national census of out LGBTQ elected officials in the United States. With at least 1,043 out LGBTQ elected officials currently serving, there are more out LGBTQ people in office than ever before in U.S. history – and they are significantly more diverse in terms of race and ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. This is the first year the number has surpassed 1,000, up almost six percent from 2021 when there were 986 known LGBTQ elected officials. Click here to read the full 2022 Out for America Report.

2. Maura Healey and Dana Nessel Join the Fight Against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of other AGs who filed an amicus brief supporting plaintiffs in the Equality Florida v. Florida State Board of Education case. The attorneys argue in the brief, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, that the law sanctions harm towards LGBTQ students and teachers.

AG Healey mentioned how this “draconian” restriction severely impacts and exacerbates the mental health disparities already experienced amongst LGBTQ youth, while AG Nessel emphasized the limitations this bill imposes on the First Amendments rights of students and teachers.

Click here to read more about the amicus brief and the work of these LGBTQ women AGs.

3. Elected Officials Continue to Work to Codify Marriage Equality

Since the Respect for Marriage Act passed the U.S. House, LGBTQ U.S. senators have been in an ongoing battle to secure votes to pass this monumental legislation. This act would protect marriage equality for LGBTQ people and interracial couples and ensure long-term stability for these families by providing important protections for their marriages.

U.S. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin continues to lead the fight to whip votes to codify marriage equality. Sen. Baldwin is spearheading the efforts to win over the 10 Republican senators whose support is necessary to pass the Respect for Marriage Act.

LGBTQ U.S. state legislators, such as Georgia State Senator Kim Jackson, have also been vocal about protecting marriage equality within their own states. Sen. Jackson publicly declared how vital it is to protect marriage equality within the state, challenging Gov. Brian Kemp’s personal beliefs.

4. Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari Proposes Resolution to Decriminalize Abortion In Atlanta

Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari successfully introduced a resolution that protects the ongoing attack on abortion rights across the United States. Councilmember Bakhtiari’s legislation would decriminalize any alleged abortion crimes and consider them as “low priority.” Her resolution also calls for a lack of funding for forming task forces related to enforcing and prosecuting abortion-related issues. Mayor Andre Dickens signed Bakhtiari’s resolution—proudly signaling a supportive stance towards abortion rights within the City of Atlanta.

5. Spotlight on the David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship in Harvard Kennedy School Magazine:

The Harvard Kennedy School Magazine highlighted LGBTQ Victory Institute’s David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship—a program designed for all senior-level executives working with state and local governments.

This intensive, three-week Executive Education program at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, hones skills and furthers the leadership potential of accomplished individuals from across the United States by providing LGBTQ leaders with the tools and knowledge necessary to climb the political ladder and advance equality in the halls of power.

Twenty years later, more than 200 LGBTQ state & local leaders from all over the U.S. have come to Harvard Kennedy School through the program. Click here to read the article.

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 500 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!

Calling all LGBTQ leaders: nominations for the Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award and Global Trailblazer Award are now open! The Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award is given to an up-and-coming state or local LGBTQ elected official with a promising political career: someone who champions equality and lives to fight for the LGBTQ community. The Global Trailblazer Award honors the contributions of an LGBTQ leader serving outside of the U.S. who is instrumental to the fight for equality. Which LGBTQ elected officials should win? Let us know here!

Victory Congressional Internship (VCI) – Applications for 2023 cohorts are now open: LGBTQ Victory Institute’s Victory Congressional Internship is developing the next generation of LGBTQ public leaders. Throughout the year, 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 our 2023 spring, summer, and fall cohorts soon. For more information, to apply, or to send to someone who would be strong candidate, please click here!

Join LGBTQ Victory Institute and partners Be YoUUU, HRC Arkansas, Intransitive, and Lucie’s Place on Saturday, September 10th for the Little Rock LGBTQ Leadership Summit, a free day-long, interactive leadership development training for LGBTQ leaders, advocates, and activists in Arkansas. To register and receive further information, please click here!



Registration is now open for our biannual LGBTI Political Leaders in the Americas Conference! Join us in Mexico City to connect with out LGBTI elected officials, advocates, public servants and allies with like-minded leaders to increase LGBTI political power. This is your chance to strategize, connect with and hear from amazing out leaders from across the Americas and the Caribbean. Expect amazing speakers, transformative workshops and more this year. Join us in Mexico City, Thursday, July 20, 2023 - Saturday, July 22, 2023! The Conference is free to all - register here!

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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