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LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
New Speakers, Major Honors, and One More Surprise Ahead…
The 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference is right around the corner — taking place December 4–6 [[link removed]] — and we’re excited to share some of our biggest updates yet.
We’re thrilled to welcome Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel [[link removed]] as a featured speaker, joining a powerhouse lineup of pro-equality leaders shaping the future of politics. New additions include Florida State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith [[link removed]] , Arizona State Representative Lorena Austin [[link removed]] , Massachusetts State Representative Jack Patrick Lewis [[link removed]] , Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr [[link removed]] , Lexington City Councilwoman Emma Curtis [[link removed]] , and PFLAG National Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs Diego Sanchez [[link removed]] .
They join previously announced leaders such as Spanish Senator Carla Antonelli [[link removed]] , California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara [[link removed]] , Congressman Mark Takano [[link removed]] , Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr [[link removed]] , Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke [[link removed]] , Texas State Representative Venton Jones [[link removed]] , Mississippi State Representative Fabian Nelson [[link removed]] , Florida State Representative Michele Rayner [[link removed]] , Missouri State Representative Wick Thomas [[link removed]] , Metropolitan Water Reclamation Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis [[link removed]] , Providence Mayor Brett Smiley [[link removed]] , and DC Councilmember Zachary Parker [[link removed]] — making this one of our most dynamic speaker rosters ever!
We’re also proud to announce the recipients of two of our most distinguished honors. Member of the European Parliament Robert Biedroń [[link removed]] will receive the 2025 Global Trailblazer Award, recognizing his groundbreaking leadership and advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality across Europe. And Denver City Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis [[link removed]] has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award for her bold, barrier-breaking leadership! Both will be honored onstage in December — another reason you won’t want to miss this year’s gathering. Register today! [[link removed]]
With tickets running low and the conference just weeks away, now is the moment to secure your spot. And while this may be one of our final speaker drops… we might have one more exciting announcement coming next week. Stay tuned!
Not Coming to Conference? Join Us at an Upcoming Training!
Can’t make it to the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference this year? We’ve got you covered. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute has several opportunities coming up for emerging leaders who want to take the next step in public service.
Join us in Washington, D.C. on December 4, 2025 for a FREE Candidate & Campaign 101 Training — a full-day, in-person crash course on what it really takes to run for office. [[link removed]]
And early next year, our LGBTQ+ Public Leadership Summits head to Minneapolis on February 21, 2026 [[link removed]] and Seattle on February 28, 2026 [[link removed]] , offering powerful one-day programs designed to inspire, equip, and connect future LGBTQ+ public leaders.
Looking to go even deeper? Applications are now open for our 2026 Candidate & Campaign Trainings (CCTs) — intensive, multi-day programs that prepare LGBTQ+ leaders to launch winning campaigns. We’ll be in Philadelphia, PA from April 23–26, 2026 [[link removed]] , including a Trans Training Extension for trans and gender-expansive participants on April 26–27, and in Denver, CO from July 9–12, 2026 [[link removed]] . All applications are due by Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 11:59pm PT, so don’t wait. If you’re ready to run — or ready to explore what’s possible — we’re ready to train you!
Calling Future LGBTQ+ Leaders: Applications Now Open
Want to see what the fellowship can lead to? Meet our current 2025–2026 Victory Congressional Fellow, Asia Corwin, whose journey is already shaping LGBTQ+ public leadership [[link removed]] .
These programs are life-changing gateways into government service—encourage rising LGBTQ+ leaders to apply today. Are you — or is someone you know — a young LGBTQ+ leader ready to launch a career in public service? Applications are now open for two of Victory Institute’s premier youth programs. The Victory Congressional Internship (VCI) places LGBTQ+ undergraduates in congressional offices for a transformative summer experience on Capitol Hill, and applications for Summer 2026 are due January 5, 2026 [[link removed]] !
For recent graduates, the Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF) offers a full year of policy, leadership, and hands-on legislative experience in Washington, D.C.; applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are now live and due April 12, 2026 [[link removed]] !
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LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a global organization dedicated to elevating out LGBTQ+ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our global [[link removed]] and domestic [[link removed]] trainings, professional development programs [[link removed]] and yearly conferences [[link removed]] , 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 out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials [[link removed]] now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today! [[link removed]]
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[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268.
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