The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund

Victory Fund endorses Tammy Baldwin for Senate

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:10:54 -0400

Washington, D.C. – The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced its endorsement of Rep. Tammy Baldwin's campaign for the U.S. Senate, which Baldwin announced in a video message released Tuesday morning. If Baldwin wins, she would become America's first openly LGBT senator. "We are enormously proud that Tammy has taken this courageous step, and we will be strong supporters of her campaign," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. "Tammy's record in Congress proves she'll be a fighter in the Senate for expanding fairness and freedom for all Americans, and Wisconsin families will have no better advocate in Washington." The group also announced the launch of a Web site, VictoryForTammy.com, dedicated to providing information about the campaign for the LGBT community, including news about the race and event information. The site will also allow individuals to donate directly to the Tammy Baldwin for Senate campaign committee. The Victory Fund first endorsed Baldwin in 1992 in her campaign for the Wisconsin state legislature, and played a key role in her 1998 campaign for the U.S. House, when she became the first openly LGBT candidate elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.

Wisconsin Rep. Could Serve Senate As First Openly Lesbian Senator

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:15:19 -0400

N.J. lawmaker pushes for passage of gay marriage legislation

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:56:30 -0400

Victory Fund and Leadership Institute announce new board chairs

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:03:31 -0500

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute elected new officers and members of their boards of directors at meetings here last weekend. The new Victory Fund board chair is Susan Atkins of San Diego, Calif. Brandon Hernandez of San Francisco, Calif., was elected chair of the Leadership Institute board.

â�¨â�¨“I am honored to lead the Victory Fund as it celebrates its 20th anniversary and enters its third decade working to grow the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elected officials in government. Helping to elect the LGBT people who fight for equal rights for all every day, the Victory Fund is engaged in a mission that’s focused and effective. Our win rate was 65% this year. That's phenomenal. Now more than ever it will be important for leaders from our community to be heard, and I look forward to leading the national organization that’s making that happen,” said Atkins.â�¨â�¨

“The Leadership Institute plays a unique role in building the capacity of LGBT people to lead as government officials and political professionals. I am proud to have been chosen to lead the board, and I’m ready to help guide the organization as it continues to prepare strong and committed LGBT leaders whose voices are so necessary in the public debate,” said Hernandez.â�¨â�¨

Atkins, a member of the Victory Fund board since 2004, has 20 years of communications management experience in life sciences and technology. In 1999, she founded one of the most successful agencies in the United States providing investor and public relations exclusively to life science companies and organizations, and sold the firm to Porter Novelli in 2005. Atkins becomes the first woman to chair the Victory Fund board since it restructured in 2006.â�¨â�¨

Hernandez manages governmental affairs for Pacific Gas & Electric Company at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. Hernandez also manages relationships with statewide and national stakeholders, focusing on Latino and LGBT organizations. He began his political career working for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. Hernandez is the first Latino to chair the GLLI board.

â�¨â�¨The Victory Fund board also elected Robert Gleason of San Diego as vice-chair, Steve Elmendorf of Washington, D.C., as secretary and Harvey Hurdle of Philadelphia as treasurer. Frank Selvaggi of New York, N.Y., was also elected to serve on the Victory Fund board.â�¨â�¨

The GLLI board also elected Commissioner Debra Shore of Chicago, Ill., as vice-chair, Commissioner Rob Saltzman of Los Angeles, Calif., as secretary, and Jim Roth of Oklahoma City, Okla., as treasurer. Paige Ennis of Cambridge, Mass., and Commissioner Alan Roth of Washington, D.C., were also elected to the GLLI board.

Record number of gay, lesbian candidates elected to office

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 08:32:38 -0400

Washington, D.C.-- The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced that more openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) candidates won election to public office in the U.S. in 2010 than in any year in America’s history. At least 106 of the group’s record-breaking 164 endorsed candidates were winners as of Wednesday morning, including Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline, who will become the fourth openly gay Member of Congress when the House convenes in January.Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe issued the following statement about the group’s success: “There is no sugar-coating the loss of so many of our straight allies in Congress, but we can be proud that our community continues to expand its voice at all levels of government in America. Out public officials are having a sizable impact on the local, state and national debates about LGBT equality. Increasing their numbers is a vital part of a long-term strategy to change America’s politics and make our country freer and fairer for everyone. We will continue to focus on training committed, qualified candidates, and we will work hard to get them elected to public office.” Important 2010 election results include:--David Cicilline’s election to Congress. The Providence, R.I. mayor will be the fourth openly gay member of the U.S. House of Representatives, joining Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared Polis, who each won reelection.--Jim Gray’s election as mayor of Lexington, Kentucky’s second-largest city.--Nickie Antonio’s election to the Ohio House. Antonio will be the first openly LGBT person to serve in the state legislature.--Marcus Brandon’s election to the North Carolina House. Brandon will be the state’s only openly gay state legislator and one of just five out African Americans to serve as state lawmakers.--Victoria Kolakowski’s election as a Superior Court judge in Alameda County. Kolakowski becomes the first openly transgender judge in America.--Kevin Lembo’s election as Connecticut State Comptroller. Lembo joins just a handful of openly LGBT candidates to have been elected to statewide positions.--Laurie Jinkins’ election to the Washington State House. Jinkins is Washington’s first openly lesbian state legislator, and could help her gay colleagues pass a marriage equality bill in the next legislative session.--Maryland’s and California’s expanded LGBT state legislative caucuses. Each will include seven openly gay and lesbian lawmakers. In Maryland, the caucus is poised to help pass marriage equality legislation, which the reelected Gov. Martin O’Malley has vowed to sign.--Dan Hill’s loss in his Nevada House race. The Victory Fund’s endorsed Republican candidates for state legislative seats were not successful, meaning no openly LGBT Republicans will be serving as state lawmakers next year.The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government in the U.S. It has grown that number from 49 to more than 500 since its founding in 1991. A full 2010 Election Scorecard will soon be available at www.victoryfund.org.

Victory Fund names “Ten Races to Watch”

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:16:10 -0400

Ten Compelling Openly LGBT Candidates in Three-Week Sprint to Election Day Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a national political action committee dedicated to electing openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates, released its “Ten Races to Watch” list for 2010, highlighting ten compelling campaigns that could have a significant impact on LGBT communities both locally and nationally. The ten endorsed candidates on the list represent a fraction of the Victory Fund’s largest and most diverse slate of openly LGBT candidates in the organization’s 19-year history. The Fund endorsed 164 candidates for 2010 races, and more than 100 will stand for election on November 2nd. “This will be a banner year for our mission—to change America’s politics by electing more LGBT leaders to public office. We know out elected officials can be a leading political indicator of real change, so it’s exciting to see so many candidates stepping up to run for office this year,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. The Victory Fund’s “Ten Races to Watch” for 2010 are (alphabetically): Marcus Brandon—North Carolina House of Representatives (60th District) With the retirement of N.C. State Sen. Julia Boseman, Brandon would become North Carolina’s only openly LGBT state legislator, and one of just five out African-American state lawmakers in the U.S. Brandon ousted a four-term incumbent in the Democratic primary, and now faces a Republican opponent on November 2. David Cicilline—U.S. House of Representatives (Rhode Island, 1st Congressional District) Providence Mayor David Cicilline beat three primary opponents to stand in the general election this November. If he wins, Cicilline would become just the seventh openly gay or lesbian person to serve in the U.S. Congress. Jim Gray—Mayor, Lexington, Kentucky Lexington Vice Mayor Jim Gray is in a close race for the city’s top elected office. The construction company executive is passionate about running city government like he has run his family’s nationally known business, Gray Construction. Gray was elected Vice Mayor in 2006 by an overwhelming margin. Dan Hill—Nevada House of Representatives (District 29) Dan could become the new face of the Republican Party in Nevada. He’s a staunch fiscal conservative who believes the party will thrive if it also stays out of citizens’ personal lives. As an openly gay man, Dan could help bridge the political divide on issues like LGBT equality. Laurie Jinkins—Washington House of Representatives (District 27) As a public health and education advocate, social justice leader, community volunteer, lawyer, and mom, Laurie Jinkins is a problem solver with a track record of bringing diverse people and interests together to help working families build community, and to make sure the marginalized have a voice. In Olympia, Laurie will be a strong voice for positive change, and the state legislature’s first openly lesbian member. Aaron Kampfe--Montana State Senate (District 30) This two-term city council member from Red Lodge, Montana is now running for the State Senate, where he would join two other out state legislators whose authentic voices represent the LGBT community in state government. Red Lodge is the largest city in this Senate district, and Aaron is well-known to area voters. Victoria Kolakowski—Superior Court Judge, Alameda County, Calif. Victoria Kolakowski, a lawyer and administrative law judge with a strong background as an LGBT civil rights advocate, is running to become a judge on Superior Court of Alameda County, California. If she wins, Victoria will become America’s first openly transgender judge. Kevin Lembo—Connecticut State Comptroller Kevin Lembo could become one of just a handful of openly LGBT people ever to be elected statewide, and that would make him one of the highest-ranking openly gay government officials in America. Evan Low—Mayor, Campbell, Calif. At 26, Evan Low is currently the youngest openly gay mayor in America. He was elected to the post by his colleagues on the city council in December, a testament to his remarkable leadership skills and bright future. He’s facing nine candidates in an election to fill just two positions on the city council. Steve Pougnet--U.S. House of Representatives (California, 45th Congressional District) Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet could become the first and only openly gay parent if he’s able to beat the GOP incumbent, Rep. Mary Bono Mack. Pougnet is Bono Mack’s strongest challenger in years, and among the Democratic Party’s greatest chances to pick up a seat now held by Republicans in the House of Representatives. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government in the. Since its founding in 1991, the number of LGBT elected officials in the U.S. has grown from 49 to more than 500. Visit www.victoryfund.org for more information.

Victory Fund endorses three non-incumbent gay candidates for U.S. House

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:04:08 -0400

Victory Fund board elects new directors

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:44:40 -0400

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced its board of directors elected three new members at its most recent meeting.

Board Chair Mark Burstein said the new directors bring diverse and deep expertise at a pivotal moment for the Victory Fund and its mission. “With record numbers of LGBT candidates seeking office, both our work and its impact are expanding rapidly. I am thrilled we will be able to rely on the wisdom and talent of these accomplished individuals to help guide the Victory Fund as we work to change America’s politics,” Burstein said.

The new directors are:

Emily Giske (New York, N.Y.)—A former political consultant with extensive experience in both national and New York politics, Giske is a lobbyist representing not-for-profit entities, local municipalities and corporations in Albany and New York City. She is vice-chair of the New York State Democratic Party and was elected to the Democratic National Committee. Giske married her partner, Anne Washburn, in Provincetown, Mass., last weekend. Gabriel Catone (New York, N.Y. and Los Angeles, Calf.)—Catone is co-founder of Ruth | Catone, a private consultancy for collectors of modern and contemporary art. In California in 2008, Catone married his partner, Bruce Cohen, the Oscar-winning producer of films such as Milk and American Beauty. Alex Martinez (Houston, Texas)—Martinez is founder and principal of Versatil Group, offering client representation for government and public relations, business development, fundraising and strategic communication. In 2009 he organized and chaired “Latinos por Annise,” supporting Annise Parker’s campaign for mayor. He lives with his partner, David Arpin, in Houston.

Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped to grow the number of openly LGBT elected officials serving in office in the U.S. from 49 to nearly 500. The group’s endorsement means candidates are recommended to a national network of donors. Endorsees also receive expert campaign and technical advice from an experienced political staff. For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org.

Gov. Lingle's veto stings Hawaii's LGBT community

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:45:44 -0400

Victory sets new record, endorses 123 LGBT candidates

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:40:12 -0400

Washington, D.C.--The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced it has endorsed 123 openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates for public office so far in 2010, already surpassing its 2008 total of 111 candidates, the previous record. Included in the newest slate of candidates is its sixth endorsement in a race for the U.S. House of Representatives this year. Scott Galvin is competing in a crowded Democratic primary to represent Florida's 17th Congressional District, where he currently serves on the North Miami City Council. Also endorsed for Congress this year are Steve Pougnet for California's 45th District, David Cicilline for Rhode Island's 1st District, Barney Frank for Massachusetts' 4th District, Tammy Baldwin for Wisconsin's 2nd District and Jared Polis for Colorado's 2nd District.But Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the group, said with more than four months to go until the general election, the Victory Fund isn't done endorsing candidates yet. "We've already broken our record, but I expect we're actually going to smash it to bits," Wolfe said. "I think people are tired of being misrepresented by extremist politicians who lie about the LGBT community. So we've been blessed this year with an amazing number of qualified, experienced people who are willing to run for office and tell the truth about themselves, about their families and about how fair-minded most Americans really are."Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped to grow the number of openly LGBT elected officials serving in office in the U.S. from 49 to nearly 500. It's endorsement means candidates are recommended to a national network of donors, and they also receive expert campaign and technical advice from an experienced political staff.A map of currently-endorsed candidates is available here. For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org.

Out candidates prevail in LGBT "Super Tuesday" elections

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:28:36 -0400

Pougnet: It doesn't have to be this way

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:13:23 -0400

Harvey Milk: From Bullhorn to Bully Pulpit

Wed, 19 May 2010 17:19:44 -0400

Lesbian set to become Ohio's first out legislator

Wed, 05 May 2010 11:26:49 -0400

Victory Fund hosts 10th annual Champagne Brunch

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:26:56 -0400