THE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING
118th Congress Boasts Record Number of LGBTQ Members
After last year’s Rainbow Wave, there are now thirteen out LGBTQ members of the 118th U.S. Congress: two Senators and 11 members in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is the highest number of out LGBTQ members in U.S. history!
To reach equitable representation, U.S. voters must elect five more out LGBTQ U.S. Senators and 20 more out LGBTQ U.S. Representatives.
LGBTQ Victory Institute, Partners Condemn Threat Against Elected Officials at LGBTQ Training in Brazil
In coordination with our partners in Brazil, Victory Institute hosted a first-of-its-kind LGBTQ conference to bring LGBTQ leaders and elected officials together.
Unfortunately, Brazilian Representative-elect Thainara Faria, who will represent São Paulo, received a threatening email that contained a racist, homophobic and transphobic rant. Victory Institute joined our Brazilian partners and LGBTQ elected officials in condemning this threat of physical violence against participants. Read the full statement here.
In addition to quickly reinforcing the security at the event and contacting the relevant authorities, training participants showed incredible grit and resilience and decided to continue with programming, saying: “They attack us because our project is powerful.”
Click here to read the full Washington Blade story.
Minnesota’s Historic LGBTQ Delegation Makes Waves: State House Passes Bans Conversion Therapy
Last week, the Minnesota state House passed a bill banning the practice of conversion therapy in the state!
The bills successful passage is due to the outspoken advocacy from out LGBTQ Minnesota state Representatives like State Rep. Athena Hollins and State Rep. Leah Finke (who was elected in 2022 as the first out trans state legislator in Minnesota history).
In an interview with Kare 11, Reps. Hollins and Finke spoke about the importance of the legislation for LGBTQ youth in the state. “Conversations like the one we are having today often paint a desperate picture of trans or queer life, but the experience of life as a trans person, non-binary, gender expansive, or any LGBTQ identity is a beautiful, unique and precious thing," said Rep. Finke.
Catch up quick: there are now a record number of out LGBTQ state lawmakers in Minnesota!
Florida state Senator Shevrin Jones Raising Alarm Bells Around Florida’s AP African American Studies Ban
Florida's education department prohibited a proposed African American Studies Advanced Placement course that would focus on subjects such as Black feminism and the Movement for Black Lives, describing it as a “form of political indoctrination, a violation of state law and filled with critical race theory”.
Shevrin Jones, the first and only out state Senator to serve in the body, stressed that this ban should be a wakeup call for other states to prepare to for similar legislation. Senator Jones highlighted the devastating effect this would have on future generations of Black children.
West Virginia Delegate Danielle Walker Reveals Disturbing Accounts of Racism
West Virginia Delegate Danielle Walker sat down with The Hill for a powerful interview about her experience as the only out LGBTQ person and only Black woman in the West Virginia state legislature.
Although her historic election in 2018 was a moment of pride and celebration, being a Black lawmaker in a majority-white state has exposed Delegate Walker to threats of violence, white supremacy, and prejudice. Despite these attacks, she is not backing down. Not even an inch.
“I take this job of being the people’s champ very seriously. I make sure that voters are represented with every piece of legislation, every vote I cast, every speech I give, every platform that I’m on.”
“Delegate is the people’s title. It doesn’t belong to me. And I need to respect that.”
Click here to read her full interview in The Hill.
Meet Kentucky’s First Out Trans Elected Official: Rebecca Blankenship
Rebecca Blankenship, executive director of the organization Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky, is making history as the first out trans person ever elected to public office in Kentucky. Blankenship was elected to the Berea Independent School District’s board of education in November 2022.
The impact of this representation for other trans people who would want to run for office was a big inspiration for Blankenship's desire to run. "I knew that people in the LGBTQ community would care a lot about that − would want to see new possibilities open to themselves − and that meant a lot to me."
"And we have the potential of raising an entire generation of Black children who will not be able to see themselves represented in their own state or in education."
Spotlight Updates on Presidential and State Appointments
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers appointed James Bond to serve as secretary of the state Department of Veterans Affairs. This makes Bond the first out LGBTQ Cabinet Secretary in the state’s history. Previously, Bond served as Administrator of the Divisions of Veterans Benefits and Veteran Services.
President Biden recently renominated multiple LGBTQ candidates waiting for U.S. Senate confirmation. “These candidates have waited long enough and are essential to ensuring our government and judiciary are inclusive of highly qualified LGBTQ people,” said Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Parker in a recent letter to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer.
Progress with Nebraska’s Nondiscrimination Policy Protecting LGBTQ Individuals
Nebraska State Senators Megan Hunt and John Fredrickson are working hard this legislative session to ensure the protection of LGBTQ individuals in employment. The Senators recently introduced legislation that would update the state’s nondiscrimination laws to include LGBTQ people. “No one should be fired because of who they love."
