Changing the world. One election at a time.

 

Leadership matters. The individuals we elect to govern have a direct impact on our lives. The decisions they make are important, and the examples they set can inspire and influence our communities, our states and our country.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund identifies, trains and elects LGBT leaders to all levels of office, in every corner of America.  The Victory Fund and the courageous candidates we endorse have proven that with smart strategic support and the financial resources necessary - typically twice what straight candidates need to raise - LGBT candidates can run and win anywhere.  

 

Results that matter

 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders – on the floors of state legislatures, in the chambers of city councils, and in the Congress of the United States – are our clearest and most convincing champions for true equality.  When we elect an LGBT candidate to office, we put them in a position to change hearts and minds, and the law. Openly LGBT leaders have been successful in their efforts to:

• Ensure Fairness in the Workplace for LGBT Employees – Jennifer Veiga, State Senator in Colorado, successfully championed the passage of employment non-discrimination legislation.
• Protect LGBT Families from Anti-Gay Attacks – Kathy Webb, State Representative in Arkansas, blocked legislation that would have prevented LGBT couples from fostering or adopting children.
• Change the Tone in Anti-Gay Governing Bodies – Patricia Todd, State Representative in Alabama, led efforts to pass two pro-LGBT equality bills in the Alabama State Assembly – a hate crimes bill and anti-bullying bill.  These were the first pieces of pro-LGBT equality legislation in the state of Alabama.  

Having an LGBT elected representative at the table means that officials who may have never met an openly gay person before will see a leader, a colleague, a public servant — not a scapegoat or a threat. It means that young people who are coming out will have a role model, a beacon of hope — proof that it’s possible to overcome hate and achieve their dreams. 

 

A Winning Record

 

Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped hundreds of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices, bringing the total number of openly LGBT elected officials from fewer than 50 in 1991 to more than 400 today.

The Victory Fund is committed to maximizing resources by supporting candidates who have solid campaign plans and the capacity to win.  Candidates go through a rigorous endorsement process, including in-depth interviews with candidates, staffers and community members. 

It’s a strategy that works.  In the 2009 cycle, the Victory Fund endorsed a total of 54 openly LGBT candidates – 79 of whom were victorious.  That's a win rate of nearly 70 percent - an almost unheard of success rate. Visit this year’s election scorecard to see how Victory Fund’s candidates are securing victories in races across the country.

 

Invest in LGBT Victories

 

The Victory Fund is committed to using our resources – and your contributions – effectively.  In fact, nearly 90% of all funds support our direct work on behalf of candidates.  Download a copy of our 2009 Annual Report for more information.

You can support hundreds of LGBT victories by contributing to the Victory Fund, or by donating to any of our endorsed candidates individually. 

 

Learn more

 

If you’d like to learn more about the Victory Fund, we invite you to:

• Explore our current slate of endorsed candidates
• Read about Victory-endorsed candidates in the news
• Download a copy of our most recent Annual Report
• Visit our Board & Staff listing to learn more about who we are
• Contact us via email with your questions or suggestions