Latest news with #LGBTQ+VictoryInstitute
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Report: Ohio has 45 out LGBTQ people in elected offices but none at the top levels
Across Ohio, just 45 people who are out and identify as LGBTQ hold elected government positions but none of them are in statewide or congressional posts, according to a new national report. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute reported that 1,333 officeholders across the country identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. That's an increase of 200% over the eight years that the institute has been collecting data. But it is a small slice of the 520,000 elected offices across the country. To reach parity, another 47,000 LGBTQ people would need to be elected, the institute estimates. The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, founded in 1991, endorses and supports candidates for elected offices. 'This year's Out for America report shows the resilience of our LGBTQ+ elected leaders. Despite hateful rhetoric plaguing the 2024 election cycle, LGBTQ+ elected officials won at the ballot box and made history,' said LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President & CEO Evan Low in a written statement. Ohio's neighbors Michigan and Pennsylvania have 62 and 66 LGBTQ officeholders, respectively. Kentucky has 13, West Virginia six and Indiana one. Most of Ohio's 45 out elected officeholders are serving in local government positions, such as school boards and city councils. Nationally, the number of LGBTQ+ state legislators has grown by 123% from 109 to 243. But the Ohio Legislature hasn't seen any increase. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, was the first out LGBTQ person elected to the Ohio General Assembly in 2010. She is the only out person among the 132 state lawmakers. Antonio has introduced the Ohio Fairness Act in every legislative session since 2011. It would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment and public spaces. It has yet to be adopted. The Victory Institute reported that Ohio has four out LGBTQ judges among more than 700 judgeships. The four include: Shawn Dingus of the 10th District Court of Appeals, Bill Hedrick of Franklin County Municipal Court, Jeff Mackey of Franklin County Common Pleas Court and Mary Wiseman of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Wiseman was elected to the bench in 2007 and previously served on the Dayton City Commission from 1998 to 2002. State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@ and @lbischoff on X. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How many LGBTQ people hold elected offices in Ohio?
Axios
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Transgender representation in public office has skyrocketed
Transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming representation in public office has soared by 1,800% since 2017, a report released Wednesday found. The big picture: Skyrocketing representation comes as there are mounting attacks on the transgender community in hundreds of state-level bills and a Trump-emboldened Republican trifecta in Washington, D.C. President Trump has signed a number of sweeping executive orders singling out transgender Americans that have had massive and swift repercussions, inviting a slew of legal challenges. But 2025 also brought victories for representation, from Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) making history as the first openly transgender member of Congress and wins throughout other levels of government. Driving the news: The number of known elected officials identifying as LGBTQ+ in the U.S. has grown to more than 1,330 as of May 5, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's 2025 Out for America report, an annual analysis of the state of LGBTQ+ representation. Between June 2024 and May 2025, the number of LGBTQ+ elected officials grew by 2.4% — and since 2017, representation has swelled by 198%. Since last year, the number of LGBTQ+ elected officials of color increased by nearly 7%. What they're saying:"Despite hateful rhetoric plaguing the 2024 election cycle, LGBTQ+ elected officials won at the ballot box and made history," LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President and CEO Evan Low said in a statement. "We know these exceptionally talented public servants are exactly what we need as the antidote to combat the anti-equality virus in our halls of power," he continued. One stunning stat: Transgender representation grew only slightly between 2024 and 2025, but since 2017, it's increased by 783%, according to the Victory Institute's count. Nonbinary representation remained the same between 2024 and 2025, but it has grown 3,900% since 2017, from zero to 39 officials. Friction point: Transgender and gender-nonconforming people bore the brunt of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents tracked by GLAAD's ALERT desk over the past year or so. Of the more than 930 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents tracked, more than half targeted transgender and gender nonconforming people. And throughout Pride Month — which the White House has not yet recognized — the Trump administration has only doubled down on its increasingly hostile approach to the LGBTQ+ community, and in particular, transgender people. The threats are not confined to the federal level: In the 2025 legislative session, the ACLU is tracking hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills. Yes, but: While the LGBTQ+ community has made historic gains, it is still vastly underrepresented, according to the Victory Institute. Case in point: As of May 5, there are 243 LGBTQ+ state legislators; 461 more must be elected to achieve equitable representation. The bottom line:"Our elected officials are the backbone of the equality movement," LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Executive Director Elliot Imse said in a statement.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Evan Low is on a mission to get LGBTQ+ political candidates elected. Here's his plan
Evan Low, who has been a member of the California Assembly, mayor and City Council member in Campbell, Calif., and congressional candidate, is the new president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Victory Fund backs out candidates for office, while Victory Institute offers training and leadership development. Low succeeds Annise Parker, president and CEO of the organizations since 2017, who announced several months ago that she planned to step down. The Advocate had a few questions for him as he assumed his new post, and here are his answers. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. What are your goals for Victory Fund and Victory Institute?Evan Low: Taking on this role as president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is deeply personal to me. My story is just one example for why this work is so important — I was an endorsed candidate and a graduate of the David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship Program. Victory helped to elect me as the youngest openly LGBTQ+ mayor in the nation when I was 26 years old and then again when I was elected to the California State Assembly. I know firsthand how much this organization changes lives and helps make representation a reality. My goal is simple but urgent: to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not just present in politics but leading at every level — federal, state, and local. We're facing a wave of legislation aimed at silencing our voices, and the best way to fight back is to lead, to be visible, and to make sure our voices are impossible to ignore. Related: How has your experience as an elected official and other life experience prepared you?I know what it's like to be a candidate on the front lines of working to win and achieve representation in elected office. At 20, I ran my first race [for Campbell City Council] and lost. It was crushing. But Victory was there, reminding me to get back up — and I did. I became the mayor of Campbell and then a state legislator. I also made a run for Congress, and though I ultimately didn't win, I did gain valuable insight to help guide and support our candidates. I know firsthand how much it matters to invest in races all the way down to the hyperlocal level. Candidates and officials have a pulse on what matters in their communities. So often our candidates prove themselves to be pragmatic and results-oriented problem solvers. I've been in the trenches of politics, and I understand what it takes to run, to serve, and to make an impact. My job now is to make sure others have the same support and encouragement that I had. What are the challenges you see the organization facing, especially in light of a hostile administration in Washington?We are in a state of emergency. Across the country, lawmakers are trying to legislate us out of existence. Some of them simply don't understand us; others are actively trying to erase us. These are more than just political disagreements — they are direct attacks on our mission, our values, and even our programmatic work and funding support. But here's the thing: This moment makes our mission more relevant than ever. This moment is showing us what happens when LGBTQ+ representation is missing. The policies being pushed are proof that we need more of our voices in the rooms where decisions are made. Despite these headwinds, we persevere. Our network of elected and appointed officials is mighty and ready to face these challenges head on — not just to defend our rights but to expand them. We must show up, run for office, fight for our community, and be unapologetically present in every space where decisions are made. We must also lend a hand of partnership over partisanship. Increasing LGBTQ+ representation has the power to change hearts and minds across the political spectrum. Could you elaborate on the importance of LGBTQ+ representation at this time?Representation isn't just about checking a box; it's about making sure our voices are heard. Growing up, I didn't see many visible leaders who looked like me or shared my experience. Today, we have the chance to rewrite that narrative — to show future generations that they belong in politics, in leadership, and in every part of public life. We're not asking for special treatment. We just want the same rights and opportunities as everyone else — to have our families legally recognized, to work without fear of discrimination, to serve openly, to have autonomy over our own bodies. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute will fight to make sure those rights are protected. How has Victory Fund affected your career?I wouldn't be here without the Victory Fund. They believed in me before I fully believed in myself. When I lost that first race, they were there, reminding me that losing isn't the end — it's just part of the journey. That's exactly what I want to do for the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. I'm lucky to succeed the great leadership Mayor Annise Parker brought to LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory institute throughout her tenure. I am looking forward to honoring her legacy in my new role and picking up right where she left off. What has it been like being an out gay man in politics?I've been out my entire political career, and let me tell you, it hasn't always been easy. As mayor, I've officiated weddings but couldn't legally marry myself. I've hosted blood drives but wasn't allowed to donate blood because of outdated [Food and Drug Administration] policies. These experiences weren't just personal frustrations; they were reminders of why representation matters. When we have a seat at the table, we can fight to ensure future generations don't have to take on these same battles. Growing up, I didn't have many LGBTQ+ role models. It was lonely at times. But looking at where we are today, I see so much progress. We're no longer in the shadows — we're out, we're proud, and we're leading. That's what gives me hope. And that's why I'm here — to make sure every LGBTQ+ person who wants to serve knows that they'll have an army standing behind them every step of the way.
