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LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
17 History-Making LGBTQ+ Women in Politics
The Advocate recently released a list of 17 history-making LGBTQ+ women in politics in celebration of Women’s History Month. There are many familiar faces, including two LGBTQ+ women who are running in 2023 – Danica Roem, who is running for the Virginia state Senate, and Andrea Jenkins, who is running for the Minneapolis City Council! “Women have been able to vote (in most states) for a little over 100 years, less than half the time the U.S. has been in existence. But in the last 50 years, and especially since the 1990s, many have left their mark.” Click here to read the full article in The Advocate.
Learn more: click here to meet all our endorsed women candidates running in 2023!
Protections and Expansions of LGBTQ+ Rights in the Midwest!
Here's why we fight so hard to elect pro-choice LGBTQ+ candidates: they get things done. The two latest examples: LGBTQ+ elected officials succeeded in passing nondiscrimination protections in Michigan AND made Minnesota a refuge state for trans people seeking gender-affirming care!
Earlier this month, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order protecting trans rights and ensuring access to gender-affirming care for LGBTQ+ people. Minnesota state Representative Leigh Finke, the first out trans person elected to the Minnesota legislature and author of the bill, noted “There is a full-scale movement in this nation against trans, nonbinary, two-spirit and gender expansive adults and children that seeks to make our community disappear.” This new executive order makes Minnesota a refuge state for trans people and stands against the movement of hate.
Michigan state Senator Jeremy Moss, who was the first out LGBTQ+ state Senator elected in the state, led the charge to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, ensuring LGBTQ+ people now enjoy expanded nondiscrimination protections. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law yesterday!
Erik Clarke Isn’t Just a Newcomer – He’s the Frontrunner
Victory Fund candidate Erik Clarke, who is running for Denver Auditor, is challenging a two-term incumbent Timothy O'Brien. Per Axios, while Erik might be a newcomer, he is the clear frontrunner in the race – he has secured the key endorsement from former Denver mayor and city auditor Wellington Webb and has raised $141,779 compared to O'Brien who has only raised $5,948. Click here to read the full Axios article.
Catch up quick: Erik also secured another key endorsement this week: #VoteProChoice!
Juliana Bennett: “Why I’m Running”
Victory Fund candidate Juliana Bennett joined the Our Wisconsin Revolution podcast this week to discuss why she is running for reelection to the Madison Common Council. In the interview, she dives into public safety, affordable housing and accessible public transportation in Madison. Listen to the full podcast here.
Chad West Leads at Community Forum
The Dallas City Council District 1 race is heating up! Victory Fund candidate Chad West, who is running for reelection, recently attended a community forum with his two opponents. One thing all three candidates could agree on? That “experience is key.” Chad, who has served for two terms, clearly has the most experience and most robust plans for the future, including increasing affordable housing and protecting long-time residents from gentrification. “For this next term, having someone who’s ready to hit the ground running and make sure District 1 gets what it needs is key,” said Chad. Click here to read the full Dallas Morning News article.
Adam Ebbin Not Backing Down in Virginia
Victory Fund candidate Adam Ebbin has been fighting tooth and nail to remove anti-LGBTQ language from the Virginia state Constitution. Adam introduced legislation in the Senate to remove a 2006 amendment to ban marriage equality, a trigger ban that poses a real threat given Justice Clarence Thomas’ expressed want to reconsider Obergefell. Click here to learn more.
Go deeper: Most states have trigger bans on marriage equality on the books, per Pew.
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