Latest news with #VictoryFund
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, California AG Rob Bonta receive awards from Victory Fund
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund presented two allies, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, with awards at its national champagne brunch Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. Moore received the Equality Champion Award, while Bonta received the Allyship Award. Both are Democrats. 'We are fighting for our lives, and we need champions like Gov. Wes Moore to use their power and visibility to support our movement,' Victory Fund President and CEO Evan Low said in a press release. 'In this critical time, we proudly celebrate Gov. Moore as our Equality Champion and are grateful for his solidarity and support when we need it most.' Moore, who took office in 2023, is Maryland's first Black governor and only the third Black governor ever elected in the U.S. He has signed legislation to ensure transgender health care, protect providers from outside prosecution, and prevent banning books. He also has spoken loudly about the need to protect LGBTQ+ rights. 'I am honored to receive this award, and I thank the Victory Fund for their extraordinary leadership,' Moore said in the release. 'At a time when we are seeing an unprecedented assault on the LGBTQIA+ community from people in power, we must each step up to protect our fellow Americans. The Victory Fund is leading the way — and I am proud to be their partner inside this work. Because nobody should have to justify their own humanity.' Of Bonta, Low said, 'We are incredibly grateful for leaders like Attorney General Rob Bonta who stand alongside us in the fight to protect our rights and freedoms, and proudly celebrate awarding him our Allyship Award. At this critical time when we are facing unprecedented attacks on our communities, we must stand together with trusted allies like Attorney General Bonta, who can help us push equality forward. I'm proud to call him a friend and one of this movement's staunch supporters.' Bonta took office in 2021. He is he first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian American to be California's AG. He has vigorously opposed attempts by the federal administration to target the LGBTQ+ community and joined other states in the fight to protect gender-affirming care. He has led the California Department of Justice to fight hate crimes, ensure LGBTQ+ children are protected and affirmed, and ensure equal access for LGBTQ+ people. 'I am incredibly honored to receive this year's Allyship Award,' Bonta said in the release. 'Now more than ever, it's important that we stand bold, united, and unwavering in our commitment to equality and justice, especially as we continue to witness blatant attacks on our LGBTQ+ community. Solidarity and allyship are more than just providing support; they're about standing up against hate and protecting the freedoms we all share. They're about challenging injustice and defending the rights of all individuals and recognizing that a threat against any of our communities is a threat against all of us. Together we can create a world where every person is seen, valued, and is able to live as their true authentic self." Moore and Bonta both spoke at the event, the latter with an introduction by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Several LGBTQ+ leaders addressed more than 500 supporters dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ people to local, state, and national office. Other featured speakers included U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Reps. Sarah McBride, Mark Takano, and Emily Randall, and more LGBTQ+ and allied political leaders.
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.
New York Times
15-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Home Builders Say Trump Tariffs Are Raising Construction Costs
Days after President Trump enacted 10 percent trade tariffs on all Chinese goods in early February, Bentley Zhao called the company that supplies his cabinetry, tiles and stone. The store manager told him to expect to see a 10 percent price increase for any materials coming from China. Mr. Zhao, the chief executive of New Empire, which builds high rises in New York City, was stunned to see the impact materialize so quickly. 'It's too fast,' said Mr. Zhao, 46. 'There's no time.' Chinese materials account for about a quarter of the $15 million materials budget for a 19-story condo, like the one he is currently building in Queens Plaza in Long Island City, Mr. Zhao estimated. A 10 percent increase would add around $375,000 to the overall budget, a manageable increase for a large project, he said. But Mr. Zhao is worried about larger tariffs to come. On Thursday, Mr. Trump announced sweeping plans for reciprocal tariffs that could upend global trade, and the home building industry is bracing for the impact. Some builders and developers say they are beginning to feel the squeeze: They have received contracts with escalation clauses to account for increased costs; waited as their suppliers delay updated price sheets for imported goods; and received bids that are only good for two weeks when typically they would hold for two or three months. 'If they increase an extra 30 percent or 60 percent like what the president said before, that will be trouble,' said Mr. Zhao, who develops mostly moderately-priced condos throughout the city. Mr. Zhao is a frequent political donor whose donations to President Trump include a $25,000 contribution in 2017 to his Victory Fund. The New Empire website has pictures of Mr. Zhao at various fund-raisers and events standing alongside Mr. Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Eric Adams, who received donations from Mr. Zhao. (There is also a photo of President Joe Biden, who gave Mr. Zhao a lifetime achievement award for community service. Mr. Zhao has headed his family business since 2004.) Builders describe an unpredictable atmosphere where they are passing the burden of tariffs placed on them by vendors onto consumers. A house that is more expensive to build becomes more expensive to buy. Add in the risk of inflation from tariffs, and interest rates could rise in response, driving up costs even more, said Gregg Colburn, an associate professor of real estate at the University of Washington. At Avenue Studio, the custom cabinetry and closet designer that recently raised Mr. Zhao's prices, Tracy Wu, the store manager, has been looking for ways to control the price changes. 'We try to deal with the factories to see if there is any way to lower the cost, to change the materials to lower priced materials,' she said. But any price changes will go to their customers, and that even includes Mr. Zhao, who is an investor in Avenue Studio. 'What this is doing is creating additional uncertainty throughout the supply chain that complicates an already pretty complicated process — which is getting housing built,' said Professor Colburn. Tariffs come at a difficult moment for the housing industry. Last year, sales of existing homes sunk to their lowest level in 30 years, amid a punishing environment of high mortgage rates, expensive homes and scant inventory. A sudden spike in building costs could threaten to slow down the construction of new homes, exacerbating the national housing shortage. 'Anything we add to the cost of a house is just going to continue to lock people out of buying a new home,' said Carl Harris, a builder in Wichita, Kan., and the chairman of the National Association of Homebuilders. Spencer Levine, the president of RAL Companies, a New York City-based developer of hotels, offices and residences, has started receiving quotes for rebar, aluminum, glass and steel and facade systems for high rises that are good for only a month or even just two weeks. Normally, such price quotes are good for two or three months. His vendors have stocked their warehouses in anticipation of a spike in prices, he said. Mr. Levine said that the unreliability of what's to come has made it difficult to prepare for any price changes. 'It's the lack of definition in how it's being presented,' he said. On Feb. 4, the day President Trump announced 10 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods, Chris Morrison, a developer, received a bid from a general contractor for a five-bedroom home he is building in a Phoenix suburb. The bid included an escalation clause to account for increases in material costs from tariffs or higher labor costs from mass deportations. 'That threw me,' he said. Mr. Morrison's air-conditioner supplier, which imports the systems from Mexico, has not updated its price sheet yet. Worried about what he sees as ominous signs, Mr. Morrison told his contractor to sign off on bids to lock in prices as much as possible on the $2.6 million job. If the project's budget balloons, Mr. Morrison says he will simply raise the price of the house when he lists it. 'At the end of the day, that price becomes the norm six months later,' he said.
