[link removed] [[link removed]]
LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
The Conference Rundown:
What happens when LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country come together in one room? Power, possibility, and a renewed commitment to lead boldly.
The 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference was a powerful reminder that our movement is growing stronger, more connected, and more determined than ever to meet this moment — and shape what comes next. Check out some of the big moments from the Conference below! [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
A huge thank you to all the LGBTQ+ elected officials (including U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin !) who joined us for the Elected Officials Summit (bottom picture) and the amazing leaders who came to Candidate and Campaign 101 Training (top picture). We hope you found the time interesting and informative!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Each of our Speakers and panelists brought a unique perspective - and a lot of fun!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
But Day 1 didn't end with the Summits - we were thrilled to welcome Maine Governor Janet Mills (top left), U.S Representative Robert Garcia (top right), and our amazing panelists for the opening plenary, The State of LGBTQ+ Political Power: Challenges, Momentum, and the Road Ahead, U.S. Representative Mark Takano , Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke , Florida State Representative Michele Rayner , San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and moderator Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin (bottom photo), to the main stage!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Not to be outdone, Day 2 brought a lot of surprises and welcome guests. San Diego Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones opened our first plenary, before welcoming former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre , Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez , Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes , Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to the stage.
[link removed] [[link removed]]
In the afternoon, we were honored to induct Spanish Senator Carla Antonelli into the LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
But we didn't end there - the Lunch Plenary: Health Equity at a Crossroads: Strengthening Systems and Protecting Communities was a fantastic conversation between Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr , North Carolina State Representative Vernetta Alston , Milwaukee Common Councilmember JoCasta Zamarripa , Senior Director, External Affairs at Genentech Brian Maloney , Interim Policy Director for Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker Ben Brooks and Senior Advisor for Data Policy and Strategy at Movement Advancement Project Caroline Medina.
[link removed] [[link removed]]
And last but certainly not least, we closed the afternoon on the main stage with a very historic guest... President Joe Biden . Victory Institute President & CEO Evan Low , President and Founding Executive Director of the David Bohnett Foundation Michael Fleming and Chris Abele presented President Biden with the Chris Abele Impact Award to honor his historic role in championing LGBTQ+ rights and for his leadership in achieving the most LGBTQ+ inclusive administration in U.S. history.
[link removed] [[link removed]]
After a historic second day, Day 3 had big shoes to fill... and fill them it did! The day began with an enlightening and thought-provoking conversation at Breakfast Plenary: Together, We Win: Lessons, Data, and Leadership from a Global Movement with Deputy Director of Global Programs Mateo de la Torre , Senior Director of Law, Policy, and Research at Outright International Neela Ghoshal , Director at the National Democratic Institute Birgitta Ohlsson , Ambassador-at-Large for Gender Issues and Feminist Global Policy at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arlene B. Tickner , and The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights at Harvard Kennedy School Fellow Reggie Greer !
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Then, we rounded out the LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame with West Hollywood Vice Mayor John Heilman and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara , before awarding the phenomenal Denver City Councilmember Shontel Lewis with the Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough Award, and MEP Robert Biedroń with the Global Trailblazer Award!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
And last but certainly not least, the Closing Lunch Plenary: Going Viral For Change: Winning Hearts and Votes in the Digital Era brought Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart , writer and activist Charlotte Clymer , San Antonio City Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez , Communications Director for U.S. Representative Robert Garcia Sara Guerrero and Social Media Strategist and LGBTQ+ Advocate RaeShanda Lias together for a hilarious and fantastic conversation on the state of the internet today.
Thank you all the amazing LGBTQ+ leaders, allies, sponsors, elected officials and more who joined us. We couldn't be more grateful for your support and partnership!
Join Us at an Upcoming Training!
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
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]] !
[link removed] [[link removed]]
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]]
DONATE TODAY [[link removed]]
DONATE MONTHLY [[link removed]]
FOLLOW ALONG:
[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.
LGBTQ Victory Institute
1225 I Street NW, Suite 525
Washington, DC xxxxxx
United States
This email was sent to [email protected]. Don't unsubscribe just yet — you can change how many & what type of emails you receive by updating your account here [[link removed]] . Unsubscribing will remove you from ALL Victory Institute email contact. If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive ANY email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .