Victory in the News

Victory Fund announces ‘Ten Races to Watch’

A gay Republican seeking office in the Nevada State Legislature and a gay politician vying to become mayor of a Kentucky city are among the candidates the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is highlighting as part of its recently announced “Ten Races to Watch.”

On Monday, the Victory Fund identified the names of ten endorsed candidates in races that the organization believes could have a significant impact on LGBT community.

The ten candidates represent a portion of the 164 candidates the organization has endorsed in all of 2010 and more than 100 candidates who are facing election in November, according to the Victory Fund.

In a statement, Chuck Wolfe, the Victory Fund’s president, predicted that 2010 will be “a banner year” for the organization and its mission to elect openly LGBT people to public office.

“We know out elected officials can be a leading political indicator of real change, so it’s exciting to see so many candidates stepping up to run for office this year,” Wolfe said.

The Victory Fund statement highlights each of the candidates running in the “Ten Races to Watch” in alphabetical order:

Chuck Wolfe: A Banner Year for Gay Politics

This year may not turn out to be the best one for congressional Democrats, but it’s likely to be a historic one for openly LGBT candidates across the country.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed 163 out candidates for offices ranging from local school boards to Congress, making this our largest endorsement slate ever. But the numbers alone don’t describe how transformative some of these races may be, especially in places and offices that have never had openly LGBT office holders.

Of course last Tuesday brought one of the year’s biggest victories; Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline won the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Patrick Kennedy in the House of Representatives. In deep blue Rhode Island, this win means David is well-positioned to become the fourth sitting openly gay Member of Congress, joining Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared Polis.

Steve Pougnet is the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 45th Congressional District in California. The current mayor of Palm Springs could become the first openly gay parent in Congress if he defeats the incumbent, Rep. Mary Bono Mack.

Adding more out members of Congress will further expose their straight colleagues to the reality of who we are. When the House debates things like partnership rights or military service, they’ll be talking about the lives and experiences not only of some abstract community, but of colleagues who may be standing next to them on the House floor. There is tremendous power in that.

But congressional politics are only part of the story. Victory Fund candidates are seeing success in key states where legislatures are close to enacting laws that will represent concrete progress toward full equality for LGBT people, and their voices will be vital in those debates.

In Maryland, three gay and lesbian candidates are set to join four out incumbents in the state legislature, giving the state an unprecedented seven openly LGBT lawmakers. This is phenomenal news for same-sex couples who will be pushing for a marriage equality bill next year--a bill Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has promised he’ll sign.

In Ohio, Nickie Antonio will take a seat in the State House after winning her hard-fought primary. She faces no general election opponent, so she will become the first openly LGBT member of the Ohio state legislature. It’s likely lawmakers will again try to pass legislation banning employment discrimination against LGBT people, and Nickie’s voice will figure prominently in that fight.

In Colorado, Lucia Guzman won her primary to keep the State Senate seat she was appointed to earlier this year. Her win this November will give Colorado four gay or lesbian state lawmakers next year, when advocates will try to finally pass a bill protecting the rights of same-sex couples.

And last Saturday in Hawaii, the state’s two out legislators won tough re-election primaries. They’ll likely try again next year to pass a sweeping civil unions bill, and this time Gov. Linda Lingle won’t be around to veto it.

Our progress demands our participation in the political process--not just as advocates or lobbyists, but as voting representatives of our local communities and the LGBT community. Pro-equality legislation is far more likely in places where out candidates run and win, so much so that it has become a leading political indicator of progress to come.

When they win, these candidates and dozens more like them around the country won’t represent victories just for a party or even a set of policy goals. They’ll become the face and voice of the LGBT community in the places where they serve. They’ll become our most important champions for real change, for true equality and for the idea that all Americans deserve the rights and responsibilities our Democracy promises.

As established organizations face new perspectives and groups, LGBT advocacy is evolving – despite setbacks and challenges

For groups like the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which works to elect qualified LGBT candidates, this has impacted the organization's work.

''My job is to work with the candidates and the officials,'' Victory Fund President Chuck Wolfe says. ''Anything I can do that helps them win, that's what we do. And, in some cases, that's advising candidates on how to traverse some of these questions when organizations might disagree with each other on positions.''

With House in question, is Frank ’running scared’?

Frank is both a Democrat and a Democratic leader. He chairs the House Financial Services Committee. He’s also the most senior and most visible of the House’s three openly gay members.

While he’s gotten $9,000 from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and almost $9,500 from the Human Rights Campaign, that’s less than three percent of the $635,500 he’s received from various political action committees. In all, as of the Aug. 25 report to the Federal Elections Commission, his campaign has raised $2.4 million.

U.S. Could Get First Openly Gay Lieutenant Governor

Also, the Victory Fund has stated their support for the state senator: "Tisei has earned the respect of his colleagues and stands an excellent chance of becoming the party’s nominee for Lieutenant Governor if he can beat back the forces of intolerance on the extreme right wing of his party.  A group has emerged that’s urging Republican voters to reject Tisei because of his strong support for marriage equality, his support of teachers and because of his pro-choice stand."

Official to Face Hearing Over Blog Attacks

Mr. Armstrong, who did not respond to a request for an interview, was an intern this summer with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and in the past with the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Denis Dison, communication

“We are advocating that nobody engage in the type of harassment that he was engaging in,” Mr. Dison said.

Mich. assistant attorney general's blog targeting gay student leader raises free speech issues

"This is just another tactic bringing awareness to what Chris really stands for," Shirvell said. "The substance of the matter is, Chris Armstrong is a radical homosexual activist who got elected partly funded by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund to promote a very deeply radical agenda at the University of Michigan. ... I'm a Christian citizen exercising my First Amendment rights."

Denis Dison, spokesman for the Washington-based organization, denied that the fund donated money to Armstrong's campaign earlier this year. Dison said Armstrong, who was an intern with the fund two summers ago, told him about Shirvell's actions and he urged him to report Shirvell to police.

"It sounded like it was getting a little strange," Dison said. "I think everyone thinks it has crossed the line."

"If I'm a gay person living in Michigan, this does not instill confidence that the attorney general's office has my best interests at heart," he added. "It's surprising that you would keep an employee who would damage the credibility of the work that you're trying to do in the state."

Mich. AG's Blog Targets Gay Student President

Shirvell replied: "Chris Armstrong is a radical homosexual activist who got elected, partly funded by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, to promote a very deeply radical agenda. ... His biggest issue is gender-neutral housing."

Denis Dison, spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps gay political candidates mount campaigns, tells the Upshot that Armstrong was an intern at their offices two years ago and went through candidate training at that time, but has received no funds from them. They do not endorse student government politicians.

Regional elections spotlight LGBT issues

2010 Victory Fund Gay & Lesbian Leadership Awards honors Speaker Pelosi

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund held its gala awards ceremony honoring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the W Hotel on Wednesday. Protesters outside of the hotel called on Pelosi to renew funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Inside the hotel, attendees paid up to $1,200 to support the Victory Fund as well as to have the opportunity to network and enjoy sushi and complimentary drinks. Speakers included actor Leslie Jordan, the Victory Fund’s president and CEO Chuck Wolfe, as well as members of congress Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi.

Obama's DADT Dilemma

House speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged the administration’s predicament last night following an event where she received an award from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund for her work on LGBT issues. During her speech, Pelosi reiterated her pledge to an adoring crowd that “’don’t ask, don’t tell’ would “be gone by the end of the year.”

Pelosi foresees ‘Don’t Ask’ end by year’s end

The speaker spoke to reporters after she gave a speech at the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Awards at the W Hotel, which was hosted by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

During her speech, Pelosi made similar assurances and promised that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be “gone by the end of the year.”

“Some are here tonight who serve in the military,” she said. “God bless you for your courage and your patriotism. … But because of courage of some of them, this will be gone by the end of the year.”

Pelosi previously predicted in May that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would be “a memory” by the end of this year during an interview with the Hill newspaper.

Speaking to reporters, Pelosi said Congress got the ball rolling on repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to get lawmakers on record on the issue and so the change would be “in statute and all of that.”

The House in May passed an amendment that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as part of the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill.

“But even the bill that we passed said that it was contingent upon the recommendation of the president’s … review,” she said. “The only difference would be statute versus the president [making a policy change.]”

Pressed on whether she thinks the executive branch would ultimately be responsible for ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Pelosi replied, “That’s where it was anyway.”

“Others wanted to have more, so we tried to do more,” she said. “We’ll work very closely to try to see what happens after the election.”

Pelosi has previously said President Obama can issue an executive order to stop discharges under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” without action from Congress.

Supporters of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal have been calling on Obama since the beginning of his administration to issue an order to stop the discharges under the law, but the president hasn’t taken such action.

Asked whether she would call on Obama to issue an order to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Pelosi replied, “That is the unfolding that we will see.”

“I’m very pleased with the course that the president’s on, but I think that they we shouldn’t be discharging people until that happens — so that, we have a little separation of — in terms of policy on that,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi added House members who support “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal were “very disappointed” the Senate didn’t have sufficient votes to end a filibuster on moving forward with legislation that would end the law.

“In the Senate, the Republicans held up the bill entirely so it couldn’t even be considered, so it was very disappointing,” she said. “They went really out of their way to try to block this.”

Pelosi also reiterated her position that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act wouldn’t see a House vote until legislative action is complete on repealing the 1993 law barring open service in the U.S. military.

“I told everyone that right from the start — that if we want to go down the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ route, then we’d have to put ENDA in a different place,” she said.

Pelosi said initial plans for the 111th Congress were to take on hate crimes protections legislation followed by ENDA and then “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” But she said the House ended up acting on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” first before ENDA because there was “a lot of enthusiasm about changing the order.”

During her speech, Pelosi maintained the importance of the mid-term elections and said “the fabric of our middle class and strength of our democracy” is at stake.

Pelosi added that the election results will also “accelerate the pace of passing ENDA or set us back.”

The speaker said she believes the votes are in the U.S. House to pass ENDA, but expressed concern about a motion to recommit that could derail the bill.

The motion to recommit is a legislative manuever that opponents of ENDA could use to scuttle the bill when it comes to the House floor.

“I think we have the votes for it, but we have to resist the motion to recommit,” Pelosi said. “We can’t pass the bill unless we can resist all of the bad things that they could do to the bill along the way.”

Also speaking at the event were gay Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).

During his speech, Frank emphasized the importance of keeping a Democratic majority in the next Congress and questioned those who would criticize lawmakers who support LGBT rights for the lack of progress on pro-LGBT bills.

“I understand people being unhappy about that,” he said. “What I do not understand is people who think that the way to respond to the fact that we weren’t able to get things done is further to empower the people who kept us from getting them done.”

Frank urged attendees to “bitch and fight” all the way to the polls to re-elect a Democratic majority in the U.S. House because Pelosi has been such a strong supporter of LGBT rights.

“Neither Tammy, nor I, nor anybody else has ever had to ask for her to support us,” Frank said. “We take that for granted and she has been the been the single most important public official in the history of the United States to be fully committed to our agenda not just as a matter of support, but as matter of her own personal involvement.”

Pelosi: DADT "will be gone by the end of the year"

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was optimistic about the end of the military's ban on gay and lesbian service, saying on Wednesday night, "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' will be gone by the end of the year. It will just be a sad memory." This, she said, despite last week's vote in the Senate against bringing the bill containing repeal language to the floor for debate.

Talking about "the pain [DADT] has caused people," Pelosi told the crowd at the Victory Fund's 10th annual Gay & Lesbian Leadership Awards that "some are here tonight who served in our military. ... Because of the courage of some of them, this will be gone by the end of the year."

Pelosi was introduced by Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), who had been, in turn, introduced by Victory Fund president Chuck Wolfe.

Her comments, however, about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act -- a bill sponsored by Frank -- were far more equivocal.

Pelosi -- whose decision not to bring ENDA the House floor for a vote has led to multiple occasions in which people were arrested for protesting that inaction -- on Wednesday said that the upcoming mid-term elections were essential to moving forward the bill outlawing anti-LGBT job discrimination.

"[A] lot is riding on this election," she told the crowd gathered at the W Hotel's main ballroom on Wednesday evening. "And part of the choice that will be made will either accelerate the pace of passing ENDA or set us back, and we have to realize that. We have to realize that."

For the co-director of Get Equal, the organization involved in those protests of Pelosi, tonight's speech was about leadership -- but more about, in Robin McGehee's view, Pelosi's lack of leadership on the bill.

Talking to Metro Weekly, McGehee said, "Leadership is about doing the right thing, not the politically safe thing. What I heard her saying is that even with controlling both chambers of Congress and having a Democratic president -- even with all of that -- her leadership has not been able to get ENDA passed out of committee and onto the floor.

"I don't want to have a Republican-dominated Congress. But I also don't believe we're the only progressive community dissatisfied with the lack of leadership," McGehee said. "I feel like she's punting on our position and our rights and yet asking us to give, and I'll give when we get equal. I'll vote for her, but I'm not going to give money or time."

WATCH: Victory Fund Asks What's at Stake for LGBT Voters on Nov. 2

Thinking of sitting out the mid-term elections on Nov. 2? Don't.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund releases a hard-hitting new web video entitled "What Will You Lose?" to explain what is at stake for the LGBT community. And there are dozens of reasons to vote in November, from health care reform to the Supreme Court. Most important: Preventing anti-gay conservatives from controlling Congress.

Shout out to hottie Democratic National Committee member Evan Low at 1:00, the mayor of Campbell, California and the youngest openly gay mayor in the country. And thanks to the Victory Fund for its help in electing Maryland's Mary Washington, the second openly lesbian Black legislator in the nation.

Victory Fund Video: What Will You Lose?

With five weeks remaining before the midterm elections, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund has launched a video campaign asking people to express what they will lose should antigay extremists succeed in consolidating their power.

The stark video cites antigay rhetoric from incumbents up for reelection like U.S. senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern. Some of the rights deemed to be at stake have not even been won yet, which points to the video's role as a motivation tool for disaffected Democratic voters.

“If they win, they'll kick brave troops out of the military, stop partner visitation rights in hospitals, and prevent gays and lesbians from adopting kids who need loving homes,” says the Victory Fund.

The campaign invites viewers to submit their own 15-second video about what they will lose in the event of antigay extremist wins.

Gay And Lesbian Victory Fund Takes On Social Conservatives

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund released a jarring new video called "What Will You Lose?" in which they highlight what LGBT Americans would lose should social conservatives like Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) get their way. So, what's on the list: love, freedom, and dignity, among other things.

Jordan to Emcee Awards

Comedian and actor Leslie Jordan will be the emcee at the 10th annual Gay and Lesbian Leadership Awards at the W on Wednesday evening.

The event will honor Speaker Nancy Pelosi and will feature remarks from Reps. Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin.

A conversation with Houston Mayor Annise Parker

With 2.2 million constituents, Parker said she couldn’t be just the gay mayor, but she would continue to use her position to advance LGBT rights when possible. She helps raise money and speaks for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund around the country and said their training was extremely helpful.

Gay Houston Mayor Gets High Marks

A new poll indicates that a solid majority of Houston residents say that Mayor Annise Parker is doing a “good” or “excellent” job.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund reported on the poll from 11 News/KUHF-Houston Public Radio.

“Fourteen percent of poll respondents rated Parker’s job performance as ‘excellent,’” reported the Victory Fund’s blog, GayPolitics.com. “Forty-two percent said she was doing a ‘good’ job. Twenty-seven percent described her performance as ‘fair,’ and just six percent said she was doing a ‘poor’ job.”

Parker was elected last December and made Houston the largest U.S. city to date to elect an openly gay mayor.

SLIDESHOW: Victory Fund Brunch NYC

Today I attended the first annual Victory Fund brunch in NYC, where headliner Rep. Barney Frank talked at length about the difficulties we face in the repeal of DADT and even getting ENDA to a vote. Comedian Alec Mapa hosted, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke, anti-Quinn activists protested outside, and a literal who's who of political homorati mingled over mimosas.

Mary Washington to Become 2nd Blk Openly Lesbian State Lawmaker

Brava and congratulations to Mary Washington, who was one of 33 openly LGBT candidates in the nation endorsed by the Victory Fund during this cycle. Washington follows in the footsteps of Georgia's Simone Bell, who in December 2009 became the first openly lesbian black state legislator in U.S. history. Connecticut's Jason Bartlett and Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox are the nation's only openly Black male state legislators.

Primary results: 29 of 33 openly gay candidates advance, Victory Fund says

Tuesday’s primaries brought mostly good news to openly gay candidates supported by the Victory Fund, as 29 of 33 pols either advanced in primaries or won their elections outright.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, was in Providence, R.I., Tuesday night as Providence Mayor David Cicilline was declared the winner of the Democratic primary to represent Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. Rhode Island is a very blue state, and so is the district, thus Cicilline immediately becomes the favorite to win in November.

“I’m very grateful that the Victory Fund and their supporters believe in this campaign, and I thank you for your hard work on our behalf. Together we really can change politics in Rhode Island and across the country, and make sure that all Americans have a voice in their government. I hope you’ll continue to stand with us as we work hard for a big victory this November,” Cicilline said in a statement.

If elected, Cicilline would become the fourth openly LGBT member of Congress.

Gay Pols Nearly Sweep Primaries

Twenty-nine of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund's 33 endorsed candidates in primary contests Tuesday won their party's nomination or the election outright.

The Maryland legislature will have at least seven openly gay and lesbian members if three newcomers who won primaries Tuesday join four incumbent members. House of delegates candidates Luke Clippinger, Bonnie Cullison, and Mary Washington hope to join incumbents Annie Kaiser, Maggie McIntosh, and Heather Mizeur along with state senator Richard Madaleno. Washington would be only the second out lesbian African-American state legislator in the United States if elected.

Denis Dison, a spokesman for the Victory Fund, said the wins in Maryland will be key for a possible push in the Maryland legislature to pass a marriage equality bill, which Gov. Martin O'Malley said he would sign into law if he were to be reelected.

"It's going to be a powerful thing for people to talk openly about what this legislation means to them," he told The Advocate.  

One of the more notable wins on primary night was that of Providence, R.I., mayor David Cicilline, who is running to represent the state's first congressional district. If elected in November, he would become the fourth out member of the U.S. House of Representatives, joining Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, and Jared Polis.

“I’m very grateful that the Victory Fund and their supporters believe in this campaign, and I thank you for your hard work on our behalf," he said in a statement. "Together we really can change politics in Rhode Island and across the country and make sure that all Americans have a voice in their government. I hope you’ll continue to stand with us as we work hard for a big victory this November.”

Dison said the results from last night overall were "remarkable," but the premier race for his organization was Cicilline's primary, which he won in a heavily Democratic district.

"He does have a Republican opponent, so we're not out of the woods, but the fact that he is the top vote=getter in a race with four Democratic candidates is a good sign."

In New York, Monroe County legislature minority leader Harry Bronson won the primary for his state assembly district. Bronson would be the only out gay New York state legislator from the upstate region, since the five currently in the senate or assembly are from the New York City area.

Bronson is running to replace longtime assemblywoman Susan John. Bronson said he planned to continue John's focus on labor and jobs, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. John is retiring after a 20-year career in the legislature.

Looking toward the November vote, Dison said there are more than 100 Victory Fund–backed candidates up for election.

LGBT Rhode Islanders largely applaud Cicilline’s victory

Cicilline has received the backing of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. In addition, two openly gay state politicians endorsed Cicilline: House Majority Leader Gordon Fox (D-Providence) and state Rep. Frank Ferri (D-Warwick).

Beyer falls short in bid for legislature

Elsewhere in Maryland, seven openly gay and lesbian candidates won their races. Incumbent Dels. Heather Mizeur (D-Dist. 20), Maggie McIntosh  (D-Dist. 43) and Anne Kaiser (D-Dist. 14) advanced to the general election, along with newcomers Mary Washington (D-Dist. 43), Luke Clippinger (D-Dist. 46) and Bonnie Cullison (D-Dist. 19). Gay Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Dist. 18) also won his race. With those victories, Maryland is poised to join just a handful of states served by seven openly gay and lesbian state legislators, according to a statement from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Cicilline Wins in RI, Stachowski Loses in NY, O'Donnell Wins in DE

"The 49-year-old Providence mayor cruised to a comfortable victory Tuesday, winning more than a third of the vote in a hard-fought four-way race, according to unofficial election results."

Said Victory Fund CEO and President Chuck Wolfe of Cicilline's win: "Adding more authentic LGBT voices to Congress is a Victory Fund priority, and Mayor Cicilline’s win tonight puts us one giant step closer to doing just that.  When he wins this November, he will join Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared Polis as the only openly gay and lesbian members of Congress—our greatest champions for real change and real progress toward full equality.  We’re proud to have supported Mayor Cicilline throughout his political career, and thrilled about this historic victory."

Dems Give Nod To Openly Gay David Cicilline For Congress

The 48-year-old Cicilline, who has served two terms as mayor of Providence, enjoys the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that supports openly gay elected officials, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest gay rights advocate.

ldquo;Adding more authentic LGBT voices to Congress is a Victory Fund priority, and Mayor Cicilline's win tonight puts us one giant step closer to doing just that,” Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, said in a statement.

HRC President Joe Solmonese cheered Cicilline's win.

“We are thrilled that David Cicilline has advanced to the general election,” he said in a statement. “He has proven himself as a state senator and strong mayor and will no doubt be an active and effective congressman in promoting equality for all people.”

Denis Dison, a Victory Fund vice president, told On Top Magazine that the increasing numbers of openly gay elected officials is slowly changing the political landscape.

“Every year more and more brave people are stepping up to run for office while being honest about who they are,” Dison said. “That's going to change politics in America.”

Gay candidates for Congress draw interest, hope

"There are so few people on the Hill who can speak authentically about what these things mean in their own lives," said Denis Dison, spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that works to elect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender politicians. "We are vastly underrepresented."

Sexual orientation and gay marriage are not the flashpoints in this midterm election that they have been in the past. There are no statewide ballot measures on gay marriage this November, and polls have shown a growing acceptance of same-sex unions. Five states now allow gay marriage, including Rhode Island's neighbors Massachusetts and Connecticut.

That has bolstered the hopes of advocates, who would like to see the number of openly gay members of Congress increase.

The Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights group, has poured money into both races. The California seat has also been targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" program as one of the seats it sees as having the best chances of moving from Republican to Democrat, although analysts say it could still be tough in what's expected to be a Republican year.

A fourth openly gay member of Congress?

Among the national LGBT groups that have endorsed Cicilline are the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Human Rights Campaign.

Robin Brand, deputy executive director of the Victory Fund, said Cicilline is “doing very well” as he approaches his primary.

“He’s working very hard; he’s raised a very competitive amount of money,” she said. “We are feeling that he’s in a very strong position going into Sept. 14.”

Cicilline’s main opponent in the primary is William Lynch, former head of the Rhode Island State Democratic Party. Other candidates in the running are Anthony Gemma, a businessman, and David Segal, a Rhode Island State House member.

Brand said primary results are sometimes hard to predict because turnout is often unpredictable, so Cicilline’s chances next week will depend on the ground game of getting out supporters.

“You’re also trying to message to a relatively small number of voters,” she said. “A lot of times, primary campaigns are really driven by endorsements and by personal connections to the community.”

But Cicilline has a number of factors in his favor as he enters the Democratic primary. A poll published last month by Brown University found the Providence mayor leading in the pack of Democratic candidates.

According to the poll, 32 percent said they would vote for Cicilline while 15 percent would support Lynch, 11 percent would support Gemma and 5 percent would support Segal.

Still, a number of votes could be up for grabs. In the poll, 35 percent of respondents identified as undecided.

Cicilline has also been a powerhouse fundraiser whose war chest dwarfs other Democratic opponents in the race.

According to the most recent Federal Election Commission reports, Cicilline has raised $1.16 million for his campaign and has more than $900,000 in cash on hand.

Comparatively, Lynch has raised $286,000, Gemma has raised $240,000 and Segal has raised $144,000.

Brand said both the poll and the fundraising numbers “absolutely” bode well for Cicilline as the primary approaches.

“You’d rather be ahead than behind, especially if we’re talking significant spread margins, which have been demonstrated not only in the fundraising, but also in the polling,” she said.

But Brand said the Cicilline campaign is “taking nothing for granted” despite these numbers and has “been building a strong field organization for months” in anticipation of the primary.

Still, Cicilline’s opponents are hammering on the problems facing Providence during his stewardship of the city as mayor, such as underperforming schools and high unemployment.

In a radio debate on Aug. 18, Gemma said Providence was in “shambles” and said Cicilline is not fit to serve in Congress, while Lynch said city schools are a “disaster,” according to the Associated Press.

Cicilline didn’t attend Wednesday’s debate reportedly because it was held during the “Buddy Cianci Show.” The show’s host, Cicilline’s predecessor as mayor, served time in federal prison for corruption.

In response to these criticisms, Brand said the situation in Rhode Island isn’t different from many other places that are facing economic problems.

“The frustration that voters are feeling about the state of the economy is happening across the country,” she said. “I think what voters are looking for is strong leaders, and David Cicilline is a strong leader.”

Brand said the Victory Fund hasn’t seen Cicilline’s Democratic challengers employ anti-gay campaign tactics in an attempt to derail the candidate in the primary.

Gay Navajo man poised to join Ariz. Senate

"In most places, minorities are underrepresented in government," said Denis Dison, vice president external affairs at Victory Fund. "That’s especially true for LGBT people. Only about 500 or more than 500,000 elected officials in the U.S. are openly LGBT."

The Victory Fund endorsed Jackson’s campaign. And Dison said: "Jack easily met all our endorsement criteria."

"LGBT people who are also racial or ethnic minorities tell a more accurate story about our community," he added. "It’s part of our strength that we identify as a community, but I think we’re even stronger when we realize we’re also a subset of every other community, including the Navajo Nation."

For his part, Jackson he said he will work to bring equality to all Arizonans.

Mehlman news fuels divisive reaction

Meanwhile the Victory Fund, a gay and lesbian political group, issued a more tepid response, saying, "We hope the fact that Ken Mehlman has reached this level of honesty will now encourage other political leaders to reject divisive anti-gay campaign tactics which, as Mr. Mehlman now admits, are purely cynical attempts to manipulate the American public."

Mehlman coming out draws mixed reactions

Chuck Wolfe, CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said he was hoping to win Mehlman’s support on LGBT issues in the future.

“Coming out is a personal decision, and it can have a profound impact on families, friends, colleagues and constituents,” Wolfe said. “We hope the fact that Ken Mehlman has reached this level of honesty will now encourage other political leaders to reject divisive anti-gay campaign tactics which, as Mr. Mehlman now admits, are purely cynical attempts to manipulate the American public.”

Political Notebook: State lawmakers endorse Oakland judicial candidate

Equality California PAC, the political arm of the statewide LGBT group, and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund are co-hosting this weekend's fundraiser for Kolakowski. The event costs $100 and will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the home of EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors and his partner James Williamson, co-chair of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center's board.

Right and Left Alike Pile on Out Former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman

"We hope the fact that Ken Mehlman has reached this level of honesty will now encourage other political leaders to reject divisive anti-gay campaign tactics which, as Mr. Mehlman now admits, are purely cynical attempts to manipulate the American public," said Chuck Wolfe, the head of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a political organization that supports GLBT candidates in races around the nation.

Ken Mehlman: I'm 'At Peace' With Myself, There's 'Absolutely' Room For Gays In The GOP

Many high-profile LGBT activists have already embraced Mehlman since his announcement earlier Wednesday. "We hope the fact that Ken Mehlman has reached this level of honesty will now encourage other political leaders to reject divisive anti-gay campaign tactics which, as Mr. Mehlman now admits, are purely cynical attempts to manipulate the American public," Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe said in a public statement. Openly gay Democratic strategist Steve Elmendorf told the Huffington Post that it was "great for the community to get new converts" because "until we get 51 percent of the American public supporting us on these issues, it's really important that we welcome people who want to come help us."

Mixed Primary Night for Gay Pols

Jack Jackson Jr., a former Arizona state representative who once ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, essentially won election to the state senate Tuesday night, as he won the Democratic nomination and has no opponent in the general election. According to Denis Dison at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, with Jackson, there will be at least five openly LGBT people in the Arizona state legislature when the new session convenes. Jackson, a member of the Navajo Nation, spent the evening celebrating with his colleague Tom Chabin, who won his state house race Tuesday.

Richard Sorian Latest Openly Gay Obama Appointee

In June, the White House announced that Obama has appointed more openly gay staffers than the administrations of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton combined.

ThePresidential Appointments Project, a community driven effort coordinated by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, was responsible for bringing many of the appointments, including Sorian, to the attention of administration officials.

The Gaying of CT Politics

“It’s still very rare for an openly gay or lesbian candidate to win statewide office,” says Denis Dison, a spokesman for the national Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. “Not many even run.”

“There are still states where they’ve never had an openly gay or lesbian state legislator,” Dison says, citing Florida and Pennsylvania as two examples. In Connecticut, where gay state lawmakers are now almost routine, Dison says “The electorate becomes more used to it; the media becomes more used to it. It just becomes less controversial and less interesting.”

SDGLN to host LGBT candidates forum on Aug. 30 at Anthology

Denis Dison, vice president of external affairs for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute, said San Diego is a model for the rest of the country.

"San Diego is a Victory Fund success story. The LGBT community there has really embraced our mission, which is to change politics by electing openly LGBT candidates for public office,” Dison said.

“Some of the city's true LGBT heroes have been its elected officials, and we're proud to have played a role in that."

3 gay nominees held up in Senate

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has pushed for the appointment of LGBT people through the federal government as the coalition leader in the Presidential Appointments Project.

Denis Dison, a Victory Fund spokesperson, said he had no knowledge of anti-gay bias holding up the confirmation process.

“My understanding is there are tons of nominees that are still being held,” Dison said. “I think that if the president is nominating a number of LGBT people, they’re just as likely to get caught up in the politics as straight nominees.”

Victory Fund To Host First New York Brunch In September!

One of the most anticipated events every April in Washington DC is the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund's annual brunch. The sold out event in the Mayflower Hotel attracts Washington's best and brightest. This year the Victory Fund  is launching its first New York Brunch to be held on September 19th at noon. The elegant Mandarin Oriental Hotel is the location of this event.

The lineup is impressive and the list is just the beginning: Congressman Barney Frank who is Chair of the House of Representatives Banking Committee, New York City Council President Christine Quinn and President of the Victory Fund Chuck Wolfe. My favorite part of this event is that comedian and talented actor Alec Mapa is going to be Master of Ceremonies. Without a doubt, he is one of the funniest people in the entertainment industry. If you've ever seen his one man theatrical show, you know what I am talking about.

Legendary New York activist Joy Tomchin and I have agreed to CoChair the event. There are a number of table captains already. You can order your tickets by clicking here. This promises to be a fun event.

Out With the Old

Bryce Bennett, a gay 25-year-old seeking a seat in Montana’s house of representatives, hopes his promise to create jobs and fight pollution wins voters over. Bennett captured the Democratic primary for the relatively liberal district around Missoula, giving him a good shot of taking the seat of retiring congressman Robin Hamilton. Like Washington and Pougnet, the University of Montana graduate has been endorsed by the Victory Fund, the D.C.-based group that works to elect gay candidates to office.

“Being young and gay isn’t helping or hurting the campaign,” Bennett says. “Everyone I talk to tells me they want a legislator who will roll up their sleeves and deliver.”

Optimism may be a political requirement for candidates, but both Szekeres and Denis Dison, the communications vice president for the Victory Fund, sound a more cautious note.

Electoral success for gay candidates in yesterday's primaries

Via Denis Dison at Gay Politics, there were some big wins for Victory Fund endorsed candidates in primaries in Connecticut, Colorado and Georgia. And, it looks good for all three moving towards November:

In Connecticut, Kevin Lembo (pictured) won the Democratic primary for State Comptroller. Now a favorite to win the general election, Lembo’s on his way to becoming one of just a handful of openly LGBT candidates to win statewide office in the U.S.

Colorado State Senator Lucia Guzman won her Democratic primary, and is well-positioned to keep the seat to which she was recently appointed. Guzman is an ordained minister and an out lesbian who hopes to invigorate efforts to pass legislation that secures key partnership rights for LGBT people and their families.

In Atlanta, Joan Garner, an openly lesbian African-American, won her race for a seat on the Fulton County Commission. Because no other candidates qualified to be on the ballot in November, she will become the commission’s first openly LGBT member.

Congrats.

Time to call her Commissioner-elect Joan Garner

Garner collected the endorsements of three key LGBT groups – Georgia Equality, Atlanta Stonewall Democrats and the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund – on her way to victory, along with deep support from key LGBT political types. Waites dismissed those endorsements and didn’t publicly court gay voters, though she did receive a late endorsement from a co-owner of the Eagle. The Atlanta Progressive News’ Matthew Cardinale, a gay activist and journalist, also endorsed Waites.

With the win, Garner joins Alex Wan and Simone Bell in making local LGBT electoral history. Wan won a runoff last December to become the first openly gay man – and third overall openly LGBT person – to serve on the Atlanta City Council. Bell won a special election last year to become the nation’s first openly lesbian African-American state lawmaker. Bell faces no opposition this November in her campaign to win a full term in the General Assembly.

Gay Candidates Make Primary Election Gains

Openly gay and lesbian candidates backed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund scored primary election day wins in Colorado, Connecticut and Georgia on Tuesday.

According to the Victory Fund’s blog, GayPolitics.com, winners include Kevin Lembo, who won the Democratic primary for state comptroller in Connecticut. He appears poised to win the general election, and become one of few openly LGBT candidates to win statewide office.

In Colorado, the Victory Fund reports that state senator Lucia Guzman, an ordained minister and out lesbian, won her primary and looks on track to keep the seat to which she was recently appointed. And Joan Garner, an openly lesbian African-American, won her race for a seat on the Fulton County Commission in Atlanta, where she faces no opposition in November and will become the commission’s first openly gay member.

Candidate profile: Lieutenant governor Democrat Howard touts a broad appeal

Howard, who is openly gay, said he frequently hears from voters that his being gay is not an issue, but that they won't support him because they are worried he can not get elected because he is gay.

Vermont Freedom to Marry, the organization which lobbied to get the same sex marriage bill passed during the last biennium, did not endorse anyone in the lieutenant governor's race, something which disappointed him given that he worked to convince fellow lawmakers to support the bill he cosponsored and given that voted for it to pass despite a veto, Howard said.

“It was one of the proudest moments of my career,” he said.

Thursday Howard won an endorsement from a national group, the National Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Judge's personal life debated after gay ruling

In response, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a political action committee for gay candidates, launched an online petition accusing Gallagher's group of "gay-baiting."

But the debate raises the question: Why is sexuality different from other personal characteristics judges posses? Can a female judge rule on abortion issues? A black judge on civil rights?

Maggie Gallagher Blasts Prop 8 Ruling, Judge

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that promotes openly gay elected officials, initiated a petition drive Thursday against Gallagher's remarks.

"Sign this petition and tell Maggie gay-baiting has no place in the national debate over LGBT equality,” the petition says.

Sexual Orientation an Open Issue for Cicilline

Cicilline’s candidacy has drawn the attention of at least two national interest groups, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. Both have helped bundle campaign contributions for the mayor in recent weeks and are considering funneling more resources into the district before the primary on Sept. 14.

The HRC helped coordinate a July fundraiser for Cicilline in Philadelphia, while the Victory Fund recently helped arrange donor meetings in California.

“It’s exciting to see an openly gay candidate as the frontrunner,” HRC Political Action Committee Director Mike Mings said, noting that his organization would likely send “at least one staffer” to Rhode Island in the coming weeks to help coordinate field operations. “It’s uncommon to have someone in such a good position.”

Victory Fund President Chuck Wolfe, who has already visited Cicilline in Rhode Island multiple times this cycle, acknowledged that gay candidates regularly face bias across the country.

“It’s definitely going on, but it’s obviously less in New England,” he said. “But there is the church question: How strong is the Catholic church and how strong will any church influence be?”

The organizations have endorsed Cicilline and two other openly gay Congressional candidates this cycle. But Cicilline has the best chance of becoming the fourth openly gay Member in the next Congress, following Democratic Reps. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Jared Polis (Colo.) and Barney Frank (Mass.).

Iowa Senator Matt McCoy Called 'Chief Sodomite' At NOM Rally

McCoy, who has served four terms in the state Senate,has the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that supports openly gay elected officials.

"McCoy has been instrumental in promoting equality across Iowa for years,” the group said in its endorsement. “When a ban [on] marriage equality was proposed in 2005, Republicans controlled the state Senate – without Matt's eloquent advocacy, many onlookers believe the ban would have passed."