LGBTQ Stories You Should Know About

January 6th and Our Continued Fight to Preserve Democracy

Today marks the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, a disastrous attempt to null the 2020 presidential election results. Five people died and more than 140 Capitol officers were injured in the assault. Last year, President Biden marked the anniversary, saying: “They didn’t come here out of patriotism or principle. They came here in rage — not in service of America, but rather in service of one man.”

This is a moment to appreciate just how fragile our democracy remains, and the impact elections have on every American. Two year after their coup attempt, some insurrectionists are still serving in the U.S. Congress. Anti-democracy activists are still protesting at school board meetings, banning pro-LGBTQ books and demonizing critical race theory. Groups who stormed the Capitol, like the Proud Boys, and new bigoted groups like Moms for Liberty are training their supporters to run for local office, for state legislatures, for governorships and state secretary positions.

The right of candidates to compete in fair and democratic election processes is fundamental to our mission to increase the number of LGBTQ elected officials and ensure they reflect the diversity of those they serve. These bigots not only seek to dismantle LGBTQ equality, but our democracy. We cannot let them.

2. Jennifer Williams Wins by One Vote!

We’ve said it before and we will say it again: every vote – every voice – matters! Late last week, Victory Fund candidate Jennifer Williams won her election for the Trenton City Council. After a recount, she beat her opponent by just one vote. She is the first out trans person to win a city council seat in New Jersey and the first out LGBTQ member of the Trenton City Council in history.

Victory Fund candidate Kadja Manuel is also running for the Trenton City Council this year. He will be on the ballot later this month and if elected, will be the first out LGBTQ Afro-Latino person elected in the state of New Jersey!

3. Danica Roem Takes on Glenn Youngkin’s Proposed Anti-Trans Policies – Again

Victory Fund candidate Danica Roem, who is the first out trans person elected and seated to a state legislature, is hard at work fighting proposed anti-LGBTQ policies, authored by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, aimed at rolling back rights for trans students. Danica has fought these bigoted proposals before and we are confident she will win once again. Click here to learn more.

4. “Renaissance Moment” for Oklahoma City

Victory Fund endorsed candidate James Cooper, who is running for reelection to the Oklahoma City Council this February, was featured in Oklahoma Watch this week. James and colleagues are focused on tackling homelessness in the city by prioritizing housing over criminalization.

“It is the first time in the city’s history that it’s saying ‘Our people’s mental health matters, housing people matters, helping people heal from traumas matter,’” Cooper said. “And the choice now faces us. Do you let people drag us back to the old ways that aren’t working or do you truly move us forward into a place of enlightenment?” Click here to read the full article!

5. Travis Leiker Makes the Ballot for Denver City Council

It’s official! Late last week, Victory Fund candidate Travis Leiker submitted enough petition signatures to qualify him for the Denver City Council At-Large election, which will be held in April. If elected, Travis will be the first out gay man ever elected to the Denver City Council.

Click here to learn more about Travis and his historic bid for city council.

 

Paid for by LGBTQ Victory Fund. Your contribution may be used in connection with federal, state and local elections and be subject to federal, state and local laws. Contributions to LGBTQ Victory Fund are not tax deductible. Victory Fund members do not have governance participation rights.

LGBTQ Victory Fund is the political arm of the LGBTQ community. Since our founding in 1991, we’ve supported and elected LGBTQ candidates like U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Governors Jared Polis and Kate Brown and all nine LGBTQ members of U.S. Congress. We've boosted out candidates running for state and local government, including California Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Florida Senator Shevrin Jones, Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod, Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims, Hawaii state Representative Adrian Tam, Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner, and so many more (meet all of our current candidates here)! We’ve shattered rainbow ceilings in all 50 states and broken election year records. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today!

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