THE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING

1. Highlights from 2022 International LGBTQ Leaders Conference

Last month, LGBTQ Victory Institute brought together out officials, activists and allies from across the world for four days of skills-building, networking and strategy sessions aimed to strengthen the movement for equality. Here are some highlights!

• Celebrating the Rainbow Wave during the 2022 election cycle with a sit down with U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, remarks from Connecticut state Treasurer Erick Russell and New Hampshire state Representative James Roesner.
• Inducting the 2022 Hall of Fame Class: Deputy of the National Assembly of Venezuela Tamara Adrián, former Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden, former Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn and former Senior Technical Adviser in the Bureau of Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce Amanda Simpson.
• Uplifting the work of our global partners: Co-founder and Director of VoteLGBT Gui Mohallem and former Peruvian Congressman Alberto de Belaunde shared the work they’re spearheading in their countries and the importance of Victory Institute’s role in that process at the Global Equality Reception.
• We also heard from Deputy of the National Assembly of Venezuela Tamara Adrián, Brazilian State Deputy Robeyoncé Lima, Mexican Congresswoman Salma Luévano, Peruvian Congresswoman Susel Paredes and electoral expert Pilar Rojas Salas during the session Shattering Lavender Ceilings Across the Americas!

Click here to see more photos from the conference!

2. In Their Own Words: LGBTQ Elected Officials on Why Representation Matters

Vermont state Representative Taylor Small, Maryland state Delegate Joe Vogel and Connecticut state Treasurer Erick Russell discussed the importance of LGBTQ representation and the challenges associated with being in this spotlight article in USA Today.

Rep. Small was candid about her experience. "It is really challenging when you're the first. You're also alone and nobody else is able to understand fully the experience of what it means to be the only trans representative in Vermont.”

Delegate Vogel and Treasurer Russell focused on the other side of that experience—being a source of inspiration. Treasurer Russell said, "Throughout this campaign, there's been a number of folks who have come up to me and said, 'It's really meaningful that you put yourself out there and that you are representing us or you're representing me.'"

3. India’s National Capital Elects First Out Trans City Councilperson

On December 7th the Aam Aadmi Party’s Bobby Kinner won a high stakes election in Sultanpuri-A ward, defeating Bhartiya Janta Party’s Ekta Jatav and the Indian National Congress’s Varuna Dhaka. In doing so, she became the first out trans person elected to city council in India’s National Capital!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Victory Congressional Internship (VCI); Summer 2023 VCI applications due January 16: 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 or caucus. We will be selecting 16 strong out leaders to participate in our Summer 2023 cohort which will run from May 31 to July 23, 2023. To apply, 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 LGBTQ 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!



Join LGBTQ Victory Institute & Equality Texas for the 2023 Dallas Candidate & Campaign Training February 9-12th. Candidate & Campaign Trainings provide comprehensive, non-partisan best practices to present and future LGBTQ candidates, campaign staff, and community leaders. Trainees learn the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign simulations and working with peers to develop a plan to run for office and win. To learn more and to apply, please click here!

Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF); Spring 2023 & 2023-2024 applications are now open: Each year, the Victory Congressional Fellowship brings select outstanding young LGBTQ professionals to Capitol Hill for an intensive fellowship that includes a yearlong placement in the office of a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. The fellows support the Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus with critical projects and participate in a leadership development program that explores the policy-making process, including our Candidate & Campaign Training, and dive into pressing issues facing the LGBTQ community. Full-time or part-time Spring 2023 applications and full-time 2023-2024 applications are now open. 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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