The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund

Victory Fund endorses Steve Pougnet for Congress

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:36:49 -0500

Washington—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced its endorsement of Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet in the race to represent California’s 45th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pougnet would join Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared Polis as the only openly gay members of Congress. The election will be held next year.The Victory Fund also announced the endorsement of 14 other candidates, bringing its total number of endorsees this year to 55. They are:Toni Atkins--California State Assembly, District 76 (2010 election)Jay Barth--Arkansas State Senate, District 34 (2010 election)Adam Brackman--Atlanta City CouncilTodd Connor--Water Reclamation District of Chicago Commission (2010 election)Michael Gongora--Miami Beach CommissionRob Holland--Seattle Port CommissionSharyn Keiser--New Hope City Council, PennsylvaniaJeff Kingsbury--Olympia City Council, WASandra Kurt--Akron City Council, OHSue Lovell--Houston City Council, TXSherry Roberts--Miami Beach CommissionMark Tumeo--Cleveland Heights City Council, OHKyle Williams--Decatur City Commission, GAJack Zatz--Marlboro Township Council, NJ

Victory Fund celebrates 40th anniversary of Stonewall

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:02:16 -0500

Washington—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund’s president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, issued the following statement on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots: “On June 28, 1969, a small group of men and women in a New York City bar stood up for themselves and fought back, giving voice to a movement that has now spanned more than four decades. Almost five years later Kathy Kozachenko became the first openly LGBT elected official in the United States when she won a seat on the Ann Arbor City Council. In both cases, courage trumped fear. We honor these trailblazers, and today we stand on their shoulders as we continue the fight for our equality. Much has changed in forty years and much has been accomplished, but too much remains to be won, and we will not stop until that hard work is done.” The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Today, 434 out officials are serving in elective office across the United States, up from just 49 when the Victory Fund was founded in 1991. To learn more, visit www.victoryfund.org.

Victory Fund endorses eight more openly gay candidates

Thu, 28 May 2009 17:01:35 -0500

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced eight more endorsements of openly gay and lesbian candidates, raising the total number of endorsees so far this year to 40. The newly-endorsed candidates are: Elisa Burns-Macon—Birmingham, Alabama Board of Education Jose Cisneros—San Francisco, California Treasurer Scott Klein—Hamtramck, Michigan City Council Steve Kornell—St. Petersburg, Florida City Council Kathy Luz Herrera—Tompkins County, New York Legislature Charles Pugh—Detroit, Michigan City Council Tim Purington—Holyoke, Massachusetts City Council James Van Bramer—New York City Council Victory Fund President and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, said he was pleased the group is on track to endorse a record number of out candidates for a non-federal election year. “It’s more important than ever that out leaders step up to run for office. We are winning our equality in places where openly gay and lesbian elected officials are serving. They are authentic and powerful voices for the LGBT community and we need their presence on city councils, in state legislatures and in the Congress,” Wolfe said. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Today, 434 out officials are serving in elective office across the United States, up from just 49 when the Victory Fund was founded in 1991. To learn more, visit www.victoryfund.org.

Victory Fund applauds marriage equality in Maine

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:02:58 -0500

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today congratulated Maine’s three openly gay state lawmakers, their colleagues and Maine Gov. John Baldacci on enacting and signing a marriage equality bill that will ensure all Maine families will enjoy the benefits and responsibilities of marriage. “I’m especially proud of Maine’s openly gay state legislators, who stood before their colleagues and asked to be treated equally. Their powerful and heartfelt speeches helped people understand what is at stake when we exclude certain families from the protections and benefits afforded by civil marriage,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. Maine’s three out state lawmakers are Sen. Larry Bliss, Rep. Terry Morrison and Rep. Jim Martin. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Today, 435 out officials are serving in elective office across the United States, up from just 49 when the Victory Fund was founded in 1991. To learn more, visit www.victoryfund.org.

Victory Fund announces a dozen new endorsements

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:06:30 -0500

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced it has endorsed 12 more openly gay and lesbian candidates for public office, bringing its total number of 2009 endorsements to 32. The new endorsees are: Nickie Antonio, Lakewood, OH City Council Howard Bayless, Birmingham, AL City CouncilReed Gusciora, New Jersey General AssemblyHugh McGough, Allegheny Court of Common Pleas, Pittsburgh, PAMeyer Persow, Cape Henlopen School Board, Rehoboth Beach, DEDenise Simmons, Cambridge, MA City CouncilTom Simplot, Phoenix, AZ City CouncilPaul Smedberg, Alexandria, VA City CouncilKarin Uhlich, Tuscon, AZ City CouncilMaverick Welsh, Houston, TX City CouncilKen Zalewski, Troy, NY City CouncilBob Zuckerman, New York City Council The new endorsements, largely in municipal races, demonstrate that odd-numbered years are not “off” years for the Victory Fund, according to Chuck Wolfe, the group’s president and CEO. “In non-federal years there are still important local and state races that offer a chance to elect openly LGBT candidates who can have a tremendous impact on their communities. Local government is extremely important because it touches our lives every day. The LGBT community must have a voice in local government decisions because they affect our families too,” Wolfe said. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Today, 427 out officials are serving in elective office across the United States, up from just 49 when the Victory Fund was founded in 1991. To learn more, visit www.victoryfund.org.

Vermont Legislature brings marriage equality to state

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:17:04 -0500

VICTORY FUND CONGRATULATES VERMONT'S LGBT LEGISLATORS ON HISTORIC MARRIAGE VOTE

Washington, D.C.--The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute today extended its thanks and congratulations to the five openly gay and lesbian members of the Vermont state legislature for their leadership and hard work in gaining today's historic victory for marriage equality. The state's two legislative chambers voted to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill legalizing marriage for same-sex couples, making Vermont the first U.S. state to achieve marriage equality legislatively.The openly gay and lesbian lawmakers are:

Sen. Ed FlanaganRep. Steve HowardRep. Bill LippertRep. Jason LorberRep. Suzi Wizowaty

George Walker, a vice president at the Victory Fund and Leadership Institute, said the legislation's success is a testament to the power of having openly LGBT elected officials as part of the debate about legislation affecting the LGBT community: "When we are in the room, and when our straight colleagues get to know us and our families, it is harder for them to vote against us. As Harvey Milk himself said, we've got to elect gay people so that political leaders know who we really are and understand better why we need and want the same rights as they have."The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund works to grow the number of openly LGBT elected officials serving at all levels of government. At its founding in 1991, just 49 openly LGBT elected officials served in the U.S. Today, more than 425 do.

Lorber stays optimistic on VT marriage despite veto threat

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:53:41 -0500

Openly gay Vermont state Rep. Jason Lorber, a former Victory Fund endorsee, expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of passing marriage equality legislation in the state, despite Gov. Jim Douglas’ declaration that he would veto such a bill.“We need to just stay focused on getting this bill passed,” Lorber told GayPolitics.com. “We’re certainly disappointed with the governor, but we need to do the right thing. Anytime you try to override a governor it’s a big [challenge] – but I believe we can do it.”The marriage bill passed Vermont’s Senate by a vote of 26-4. According to Lorber, Douglas’ veto announcement may affect how legislators vote in the House.“We’re going to pass it resoundingly, but whether we have the veto-proof margin is a different question,” he said. “Now that the governor has inserted himself into the legislative process, he has politicized this question even more than it has been. Now, when members are voting they have to take into calculation the veto — whereas before it would have been a much more pure vote of ‘this is how I feel about it.’”“That’s disappointing that we couldn’t have that vote initially, just on the merits of the bill.”Vermont became the first state to pass civil unions legislation in 2000. If the state’s current marriage bill becomes law, Vermont will become first in the nation to gain marriage without the involvement of the court system.“[Civil unions] reframed the issue across the nation,” Lorber said. “This very far-forward thinking, bold statement that Vermont made in 2000 has become a conservative fallback position. I believe Vermont is now ready to make the next step.”Lorber mentioned that his own role as an openly gay state legislator has made this debate very personal.Lorber and his partner are currently in a civil union and are raising a son together.“This is a very emotional issue,” he said. “It’s hard talking to my colleagues and my friends in the statehouse, many of whom I know are going to vote against this and in doing so vote against me and my family.”

Lowe celebrates Gainesville, Fla. voters' affirmation of gay rights

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:39:06 -0500

Voters in Gainesville, Florida last night decisively turned back an attempt to repeal the city’s decade-old LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance, voting 58 percent to 42 percent against Amendment 1. The city commission’s sole openly gay member, Craig Lowe, told GayPolitics.com, “This is a fantastic validation of what I’ve always thought, which is that the people of Gainesville are fair-minded and believe in true equality for all. I’m proud of my city.” Lowe is a former Victory Fund endorsee, and the driving force behind the addition of protections for transgender citizens that were added to the ordinance in January 2008.

Obama appoints lesbian as chief judge of high court

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:47:19 -0500

President Barack Obama has appointed openly lesbian attorney Emily C. Hewitt as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the court that hears monetary claims against the government.Hewitt, who is also an ordained Episcopal priest,was appointed to the court by President Bill Clinton in 1998. According to The Advocate, Hewitt has chaired the court’s Rules and Building and Space Committees and served on its Management Committee. In 2006, she was appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts to serve on the Financial Disclosure Committee of the United States Judicial Conference, according to a biography released by the White House.The court’s Web site lists her as married to attorney Eleanor Dean Acheson. She is a native of Baltimore.

Quinn asks Obama to support gay rights

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:43:03 -0500

New York City Speaker Christine Quinn, a current Victory Fund endorsee, asked President Barack Obama to support gay rights during her recent visit to the White House for St. Patrick’s Day.

Quinn, who was famously arrested for marching as an open lesbian during the Fifth Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1999, was one of Obama’s honored guests for the presidential celebration. She is the city’s first openly gay, first female and first Irish city council speaker.

The Advocate reports:

“It was an interesting moment,” she said, “even though you’re so honored to be there, there’s still a part of you that, until we address the issue on Fifth Avenue, will always feel like wherever you are — even if you’re an honored guest — there’s still somewhere that you’re not invited to be.”

Quinn has boycotted New York’s parade for years because organizers refuse to let LGBT marchers display anything that indicates their sexuality or support for gay issues.

For that reason, she felt particularly moved to say something not only about the Obama administration’s diplomatic relations with Ireland but also about LGBT equality. So Quinn took her moment during a photo with the president to urge his support for two California court decisions stipulating that same-sex partners of federal court employees should be entitled to health benefits. Following the rulings, the federal Office of Personnel Management blocked the benefits, citing the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

“I asked the president to change the government’s policy and position as it related to the recent rulings,” she said. “He could immediately say, ‘I’m not going to challenge that ruling,’ and I think it would send a message about where he is headed and that he’s certainly not moving backwards. If he doesn’t stand by that ruling, it’s a tremendous setback.”

But Quinn didn’t lose sight of Ireland either and thanked President Obama for his support of the peace process in Northern Ireland, where a couple of politically motivated murders have taken place within the past 10 days. Guests at the White House St. Patrick’s Day celebration included British and Irish dignitaries, including Gerry Adams, the longtime leader of Sinn Féin. According to Quinn, who was invited to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day in 2007, they were all uniformly enthused by the Administration’s response to the recent violence.

“Everyone was very happy with President Obama, who has been incredibly strong and steadfast in support of the peace process in the North,” she said.

Quinn will speak at the Victory Fund’s annual Champagne Brunch on April 19 in Washington, D.C. Reserve your ticket here.

Poll: Repeal of DoMA most important priority for Obama administration

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:26:36 -0500

A poll of Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief’s more than 18,000 readers finds respondents citing the repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act as their top LGBT legislative goal for the Obama administration. Nearly 40 percent chose DOMA repeal from a list of five LGBT priorities for President Obama. Another 27 percent said passing ENDA should come first, with action on the military ban, hate crimes and domestic partner benefits for federal workers following.

See poll results here, and sign up for free, twice-weekly delivery of Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief, an online news aggregator for LGBT leaders in politics, government, media and advocacy. [Note: Poll results reflect the opinions of those who have chosen to participate.]

Out legislator Madaleno introduces marriage bill in Maryland

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:58:47 -0500

Advocates for marriage once again fought for equality in Annapolis on Wednesday. State Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr., the only openly gay member of the state Senate, introduced the Religous Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would give same-sex couples the right to marry, but would not force clergy to perform marriage ceremonies that conflict with their religions, according to The Washington Blade. "Just 45 minutes ago I was in the Senate chamber, one of 47 equals with all of the rights and privileges I share with my colleagues as an equal member of the state Senate," said at a press conference. "In another 45 minutes, I will be before the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee as a second class citizen in the state of Maryland. One of thousands of gay and lesbian people who is unable to marry." The Blade reports:

Dr. Chris Beyrer, the founder and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights, said denying same sex couples the right to marry harms community health. ``And we know for certain that lesbian and gay individuals suffer harm to their physical and psychological health, and to their relationships and quality of life, as result of the shame, isolation and stigma accrued from their social and legal disenfranchisement," Beyrer said in written testimony for the bill. In 2007, Maryland's highest court ruled that lawmakers may change state law to allow same-sex couples to marry. A similar gay marriage bill was introduced last year, but lawmakers have yet to vote on such a proposal. Nonetheless, Madaleno said he believes progress has been made since the first gay marriage bill was introduced in Maryland about a decade ago by another lawmaker. ``When that bill was put in, she received so many death threats she received state police protection for a week," Madaleno. ``Here we are a decade later, now we have more than 50 co-sponsors on our bill and we're able to have a civil discussion."

Gay Washington state legislators celebrate two victories

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:57:23 -0500

Out state legislators in Washington are celebrating the State Senate’s passage of two LGBT rights bills — one of which expands the rights granted to same-sex couples under the state’s existing domestic partnership law, while the other expands the state’s hate crimes statue to include transgender people. Both bills were introduced by openly gay legislators — Sens. Ed Murray and Joe McDermott, respectively.According to the Associated Press, the first bill builds upon previous domestic partnership laws by adding reference to partnerships alongside all remaining areas of state law where currently only married couples are mentioned, statutes ranging from labor and employment to pensions and other public employee benefits.The AP reports: The underlying domestic partnership law, which Murray spearheaded two years ago, provided hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will. Last year, lawmakers expanded that law to give domestic partners standing under laws covering probate and trusts, community property and guardianship. As of Tuesday, 5,112 domestic partnership registrations had been filed since the law took effect in July 2007.In addition, out Sen. Joe McDermott passed a bill that adds transgender people to the state’s Malicious Harassment Statute. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36-12 with broad bipartisan support.“When ’sexual orientation’ was added to our Hate Crimes law years ago, transgendered was not included in the definition,” McDermott wrote on his blog. “Three years ago when we passed the Anti-Discrimination Statute we included transgendered in that definition of sexual orientation. I am exceptionally proud of this progress for transgendered persons tonight.”Both bills now move to the Washington state House of Representatives.

Anthony Niedwiecki wins in Oakland Park, Fla.

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:57:38 -0500

Law professor and LGBT rights activist Anthony Niedwiecki won his election for Oakland Park, Fla. City Commission, beating his opponent by a margin of 66-34. Because he received the most votes in this election he will become vice-mayor of the city next year and mayor the year after that.“I’m excited and humbled by it all,” he told the Sun-Sentinel. “We ran a good campaign. “We will move forward with a new fresh voice … and will make sure that we are doing whatever we can to reach out to the residents.”Anthony, a Victory Fund endorsee, is an outspoken LGBT rights advocate. In addition to assisting in efforts to remove anti-gay Fort Lauderdale mayor Jim Naugle from office, he also co-founded the national LGBT organization Fight OUT Loud, which supports victims of anti-gay discrimination.Most personally, he and his partner took in a foster son who was left homeless by the state because he was deemed “unadoptable” because of his HIV-positive status. Together, his family traveled to Tallahassee to testify in front of the State Senate in an effort to overturn the ban on adoption by gays and lesbians.

Victory Fund announces new board members

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:54:24 -0600

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced its board has elected new directors to help guide the organization as it works to build on the most successful year in its history and grow the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elected officials across the United States. Mark Burstein, new board chair and the Executive Vice President of Princeton University, said the time is right to expand the Victory Fund's work. "This past year the Victory Fund was instrumental in changing the face and voice of American politics. Elections matter, and electing more qualified, committed LGBT candidates matters more than ever. It's is an honor to lead this distinguished board at a time when electoral politics means real change for the LGBT community and all Americans."Recently elected board officers also include Vice-Chair Susan E. Atkins of San Diego, Treasurer Christopher Ray of Columbia, SC, and Secretary Robert H. Gleason of San Diego. Four new board members were also elected to three-year terms. They are: Steve Elmendorf of Washington, D.C.; Jamie Fox of New York, New York; Malcolm R Gage, Jr., of Irving, Texas; and Harvey Hurdle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Steve Elmendorf, president of D.C.-based government affairs consultancy Elmendorf Strategies, said, “I’m proud to join the board of such a uniquely effective organization. Out elected officials gain the power to make real and lasting change across America, so it’s vital they have the support of the Victory Fund and the LGBT community.” Elmendorf served as a senior advisor to House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt for 12 years. As chief of staff and the most senior Democratic aide in the House of Representatives, Elmendorf interacted daily with the White House, administration officials, members of Congress, senators and leading interest groups developing knowledge in economic, domestic, national security, and foreign policy. "We’re not going to achieve full equality unless we get smart about electoral politics. The Victory Fund is a smart and lean organization, and most LGBT Americans who want to step up and run for office need their support to win, so I’m happy to help this organization in any way I can,” said Jamie Fox, who is a partner in the New York-based consulting firm Fox & Shuffler. Fox is the former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. He previously worked in Washington as the Executive Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Chief of Staff to former Senator Bob Torricelli of New Jersey. Malcolm R. Gage, Jr., is new car sales manager for Park Place Motorcars, a premier luxury automotive organization. He is active in both national and Texas LGBT organizations and politics. “I’m proud to further my commitment to the Victory Fund’s mission of electing open, honest leaders by serving on its board,” Gage said. “This is a unique organization within the LGBT movement and I hope to help grow its already impressive record of accomplishments.” Harvey Hurdle is chief operating officer of Sellers Dorsey, a national health care consulting firm specializing in creating transformative change in public healthcare programs. From 2001 to 2005 Hurdle was the chief operating officer of the Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation. “The Victory Fund’s impact is measurable and impressive,” Hurdle said. “Under my board tenure, I hope to help guide this organization to new heights, so that we can come even closer to a truly representative democracy by having LGBT citizens serve at all levels of government.” Other board members include: Sue Burnside of Los Angeles, California; Hon. Edward F. Feighan, Columbus, Ohio; Paul W. Horning, Atlanta, Georgia (recent past chair); Frank Matheson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Kevin Tilden, San Diego, California; Lisa Turner, Norfolk, Virginia; and Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe, Washington, DC. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee and the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. In 2009 more than 400 openly LGBT elected officials are serving in the U.S., up from just 49 when the organization was founded in 1991. For more information visit www.victoryfund.org.###