Victory in the News

Sheriff’s 'outing' pushes Arizona to top of states with gay candidates for Congress

Babeu joins three state lawmakers — all Democrats — who are openly gay or bisexual and running for Congress this year in Arizona. Rep. Matt Heinz and state Sen. Paula Aboud, both of Tucson, are running in District 2; former state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Phoenix, who has said she is bisexual, is running in the new District 9.

But Arizona has a long history of electing openly gay candidates, said Denis Dison, spokesman for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which works to elect gays to public office.

"Arizona has a conservative reputation but it also has a history with openly gay candidates at the local and state level," Dison said. "Once those barriers are broken, people get bored with the topic and it's less of an issue." 

Oklahoma gay candidate wins in landslide

Al McAffrey is moving from one chamber in Oklahoma's statehouse to another.

The gay state representative on Feb. 14 won a special election for the state Senate. McAffrey, a Democrat, was the first openly gay candidate elected to the House and is now the first openly gay candidate elected to the Senate.

"Al's election to the state Senate is another milestone for LGBT Oklahomans, and we are proud to support his campaign," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. "There are still a number of states that have never elected any openly LGBT state legislators, so Oklahoma can be proud that Al has been elected to both the House and the Senate." 

Gay House, Senate candidates running strong

Gay and lesbian candidates for the U.S. House and Senate are competitive with — and in some cases besting — their straight opponents when it comes to raising money. 

Denis Dison, spokesperson for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said Baldwin has "lapped everybody in the field" of Republicans.

"They're going to be spending that money in the primary," Dison said. "This is going to be a pretty ugly primary on the Republican side. They're really going to have to spend all the way to win their nomination." 

National news in brief: Feb. 10

Victory Fund staffer appointed to advisory board

WASHINGTON — Rev. George B. Walker, Jr., vice president of strategic partnerships at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Victory Institute, was named to President Obama's Board of Advisers on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, according to a White House press release.

"I am proud that such experienced and committed individuals have agreed to serve the American people in these important roles," said President Obama, upon naming Walker and six others to key administration positions. "I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead."

Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe expressed excitement at the appointment.

"We're thrilled for our friend and colleague, George, a deeply committed and passionate advocate for equality, diversity and education," Wolfe told the Blade. "With George's appointment, President Obama continues to ensure LGBT voices are well-represented among the talented Americans who serve him and his administration." 

Washington Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill With a 28-21 Vote

The marriage equality bill's passage on Feb. 1 was praised by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund -- as was Murray, who is the only out LGBT lawmaker in the state Senate.

"Tonight's vote is a victory for fairness in Washington, and for Senator Ed Murray, who has worked so hard for so long to make life better for LGBT Washingtonians," Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, said in a statement. "When this bill is finally signed into law, Ed and Michael, his partner of 20 years, will finally have realized the equality under state law Ed has fought for since he was first elected to the legislature in 1995."