Victory in the News

Parker to China: Gay Rights Good for Business

According to GayPolitics.com, Parker is on her first trip abroad since being elected in December, when Houston become the largest U.S. city to date to elect an openly gay mayor. The purpose of her visit to China is to encourage business links, especially new direct air carrier routes, between Houston and Shanghai.

Cicilline "continues to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars in lobbyist, corporate PAC and insider money to fund his campaign."

Lynch also said that Cicilline received contributions from "corporate PACs." Our review showed that of the almost $35,000 Cicilline accepted from Political Action Committees this year, only about $6,000 or so came from so-called "corporate PACs," which we defined as a political committee directly associated with a corporate entity, such as a law firm. We did not include those affiliated with ideological causes such as the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which also gave to Cicilline.

Add the lobbyist and corporate PAC contributions and you get just under $50,000. That's roughly 4.3 percent of the $1.16 million he accepted this year. It's hardly the "hundreds of thousands of dollars" that Lynch talks about.

The joy of giving

“We’ve long been … supporters of the [Gay & Lesbian] Victory Fund,” Fleming said. “It’s been one of the chief tenets of the Victory Fund that it’s really terrific to have friends, but it’s even better to have folks from our own community elected.”

Although there has been criticism that the Obama administration and Congress have not moved quickly enough on pro-LGBT legislation, Fleming said this perceived lack of progress hasn’t been a factor in his advice as Bohnett’s political director.

Queery: Denis Dison

That was 20 years ago. Four years ago, the 42-year-old self-described political junkie joined the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund where he’s vice president for external affairs. He’d worked in editorial and marketing jobs before but he’s been putting his writing skills to use blogging at Fund-sponsored gaypolitics.com and is also a spokesperson for the organization.

“It can be a bit jarring moving from the non-profit world, but I saw this as a unique opportunity to contribute to the greater equality of LGBT people and I’ve always felt if you have the opportunity to work for the community you’re part of, you should take it.” Things are “incredibly busy,” he says. This year’s batch of 147 Fund-backed hopefuls includes six (three incumbents) running for congressional seats.

Garner's Fulton bid enjoys gay support

Garner has picked up a host of endorsements in the race, from gay groups Georgia Equality, Atlanta Stonewall Democrats and Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, to the Atlanta Realtors Political Action Committee and Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The Committee for a Better Atlanta even chimed in, giving Garner its “well qualified” seal of approval.

Ashburn: It's time for Republicans to fight for gay rights

In the piece published on the website gaypolitics.com, run by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund that supports gay and lesbian candidates for office, Ashburn writes, "Gay people being treated with respect and having the same opportunities for a good life regardless of sexual orientation should not be topics of political debate. How can it possibly be that there is a partisan political divide over equal rights in America?"

Ashburn had one of the Legislature's strongest records of voting against bills to expand rights for LGBT Californians, but he says he deeply regrets those votes and wrote, "I look back now knowing there is so much more I could have done to inform the public about LGBT people and to fight for equal rights under the law. Regrettably and selfishly, I took another path in my life and political career -- I chose to conceal who I truly am and to then actually vote against the best interests of people like me. All this was done because I was afraid -- terrified, really -- that somehow I would be revealed as gay."

Tossing the rainbow hat into the ring

If elected, Washington, a real estate agent, could become just the second openly lesbian African-American state legislator in the country.

"I am running for the Maryland House of Delegates because I believe the district needs more vigorous, more progressive leadership and the community needs elected officials who can inspire public trust, serve as a catalyst for positive change and work effectively to expand social and economic justice," Washington told OUTloud.

The native of Philadelphia earned a Ph.D in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University.  Washington is troubled that divisions along the lines of race, class and sexual orientation plague the district and the city—a condition she says has persisted for decades.  "I’m afraid the city just hasn’t had the kind of representation we need, the kind of leadership we need to bring our communities together."

She admits it's a challenge, but she loves challenges.  "My work has been all about bringing people from all walks of life together to solve city problems. Throughout my career, I have worked with all kinds of people – rich and poor, black and white, gay and straight – to create social change."

Washington, who also received an endorsement from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, believes her record on lgbt issues will convince people she will be a powerful advocate in Annapolis. She has argued on behalf of same-sex couples having the right to choose civil marriage.  As an elder at the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, she worked with church leadership to back a Friend of the Court brief supporting the Deane and Polyak lawsuit for equal marriage rights in Maryland.  And she advocated equal marriage rights as a member of the Stonewall Democrats of Central Maryland as well as other forums.

She strongly supports state judges who are willing to endorse second-parent adoptions for gay and lesbian families in Baltimore and Maryland.  "I believe we must ensure that children of gay families and gay children of straight families are treated fairly in our schools, that sex education curricula do not treat homosexuality as a medical condition or pathology and that lgbt students have the same rights to meet in our public schools as all other students do." 

Gay Fla. city councilman seeks U.S. House seat

Among the national LGBT organizations that are backing Galvin are the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and the National Stonewall Democrats. Galvin said Florida Together, a local LGBT organization, also has thrown its support behind him.

Denis Dison, spokesperson for the Victory Fund, said his organization endorsed Galvin because he met the criteria considered in the organization’s endorsements. Such criteria include having a plan necessary to raise the money to compete.

“The political team and our board both agreed that there was a path to victory for Scott,” he said.

One of the factors that Dison cited in the Victory Fund’s endorsement was the crowded Democratic primary.

“When there are nine people running for this nomination, it’s much different than if you just have one or two people competing,” Dison said.

On political homophobia, fear and being like the NRA

Yesterday, the Victory Fund's Chuck Wolfe has a post at Bilerico about political fear. He basically describes political homophobia. People inside the beltway know exactly what this is. They hear it from our supposed allies all the time:
In the last decade these numbers have moved in only one direction--toward fairness and inclusion. And yet, Congress still hasn't enacted significant protections for LGBT Americans. Why?

Fear, mostly. Fear that despite their distinct minority status, anti-LGBT extremists wield inordinate power when directly challenged. Swat that nest, the thinking goes, and the hornets will swarm. Incumbents, especially this year, aren't eager to add perceived obstacles to reelection.

LGBT activists often debate whether this fear is rational. On one side are Beltway types who see it up close every day. It's the elephant in the room at every conversation with a moderate Democratic senator from the Midwest, a gay Republican staffer for a House member, and even White House strategists.

Whether one believes it's rational or not, this fear exists, and it's part of working in LGBT politics in Washington. It must be understood, or the conversation stops.
The conversation stops because people in these DC offices don't fear us. They fear the other side. And, although candidates often want our support (mostly money), they won't take the votes necessary to give us our rights. Wolfe's solution is: "Our job as advocates is to come together to find a solution, address the fear and create the conditions to win."

We do need to create the conditions to win. And, we're not going to get there by playing nice. For one thing, our advocates need to call out "political homophobia" when they see it. And, we need to make politicians fear us, not our opponents.

Wolfe: Who's afraid of equality?

What's keeping Congress from enacting broadly popular LGBT equality legislation? The Victory Fund's president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, weighs in.

Message heard: "The gAyTM is closed." So what now?

The Victory Fund is dedicated supporting LGBT and allied candidates. The Progressive Majority is also a pro-equality progressive political fund you can trust with your money. You should also consider supporting Progressives who have fought for us (even if they happen to be Democratic). Candidates in my region include Jim McDermott and Suzan DelBenne.

Not all politics are national, local politics can have a lasting effect as well. Look around you and find the diamonds in the rough. Believe it or not, we do have friends.

Palm Springs (GO)Party?

One of those was Rep. Mary Bono-Mack (R-Calif.), who was married to the late singer-turned-politician Sonny Bono. Bono-Mack has represented Palm Springs since winning this special election for his seat in Congress in 1998 and received HRC's endorsement as recently as 2006. In this fall's election, however, HRC is backing challenger and out gay Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet (D), who also is backed by the Victory Fund in his race.

GLBT Event Moved Due to Immigration Furor

The Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, who had been considering holding its 2011 conference in Phoenix, has chosen Las Vegas instead.

Up until recently, Phoenix was considered the frontrunner to host the December 2011 conference.

The Phoenix Host Committee, led by Councilman Tom Simplot and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, had been working furtively to secure the conference. The conference would have attracted hundreds of gay and lesbian elected leaders.

GLLI alluded that the immigration debate in Arizona caused them to chose another site, according to the Phoenix Host Committee.

GLLI said in a letter, "The current political and legal climate in Arizona makes it complicated to accept your hospitality."

GLLI helps equip gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people with the tools for success. The institute assists hundreds of individuals who go on to influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy each year.

Gay GOP Group GOProud Backs Rep. Mary Bono Mack

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed the campaign of Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, an openly gay politician raising two children – Beckman and Julia – with his husband Christopher Green, a pharmaceutical sales representative. The couple married in 2008 during the brief June-to-November window when gay marriage was legal in California.

While the Victory Fund is nonpartisan, its endorsement card tilts heavily Democrat.

LaSalvia quickly denounced Pougnet's ties to “the gay left,” saying they “would have you believe that Mary Bono-Mack is somehow an enemy of the gay and lesbian community.”

“Nothing could be further from the truth. The decision of organizations like the Human Rights Campaign to oppose Mary's re-election is a shameful reminder of just how slavishly the gay left is willing to [go to] do the bidding of Nancy Pelosi and the DCCC,” he said. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation's largest gay rights advocate.

The forty-seven-year-old Pougnet has labeled Bono Mack anti-gay for her recent vote against repeal of the law that bans gay troops from serving openly.

“In a perfect world, people like Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack would treat all Americans the same,” Pougnet said after the House voted to repeal the law. “They wouldn't vote against gays and lesbians just to gain favor with extremists on the right.”

“I know we don't live in that perfect world yet, but I was still shocked to learn that Bono Mack voted against the amendment to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'” he added.

Denis Dison, a vice president with the Victory Fund, also disagreed with LaSalvia's characterization of Bono Mack as a gay ally.

“She had the chance to stand up for gays and lesbians serving in uniform, and she didn't take it,” Dison said in an email to On Top Magazine.

Kaplan enters Oakland mayor's race

"I don't want to run just to run," Kaplan said. "This is about running to win the seat that is the head of the executive branch in our city."

Kaplan has secured the endorsement of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. She has also been endorsed by Oakland businessman Geoffrey Pete, vice chair of Oakland's Black Caucus, Joyce Gordon of the Joyce Gordon Gallery, and the Reverend Dr. Harold Mayberry of First AME Church of Oakland.

Online Extra: Political Notes: Congress likely to see new LGBT members in 2011

It is more than likely that the current three-person LGBT congressional delegation will have a few more members come 2011 as a dozen out candidates are seeking congressional seats this year.

In a positive sign for the viability of several candidates' campaigns, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed six of the House candidates. The national group only backs those LGBT candidates deemed to have credible chances of winning their races, and the endorsement allows them to tap into the group's nationwide donor network.

In addition to the three Democratic incumbents seeking re-election to the House this year – Barney Frank (Massachusetts), Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), and Jared Polis (Colorado) – the Victory Fund also endorsed three gay men looking to join them on Capitol Hill.

In California, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet won the group's backing in his race for the state's 45th Congressional District. Pougnet ran unopposed in the June Democratic primary and will take on incumbent GOP Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack this fall.

Providence Mayor David Cicilline picked up the group's endorsement in his four-way race to be the Democratic nominee for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District. Next week state Democratic Party leaders will open their convention to select who the party's favored candidate will be in the September 14 primary.

Cicilline's biggest opponent in the race to succeed Representative Patrick Kennedy appears to be Bill Lynch class="vitstorybody">, a former state Democratic Party chairman in Rhode Island. But Cicilline had outpaced Lynch in fundraising according to the latest disclosures in April, and he is considered a heavy favorite to not only best his primary opponents but also to keep the House seat in Democratic hands.

The third gay candidate winning Victory Fund support is Scott Galvin, a North Miami Beach city councilman who is running in a crowded Democratic primary set for August 24 to represent Florida's 17th Congressional District. With nine people in the race, it is anyone's guess who will come out on top.

But in a twist, Galvin's being a white, gay man may give him an advantage. He is running against several African American candidates in a district with a heavy concentration of black voters, and pundits have speculated they could split their vote enough to allow Galvin to eke out a victory.

The district is considered a safe one for Democrats, so whoever wins the party primary is expected to easily capture the seat in November.

There are five other House races with out candidates this year, but none have gained the Victory Fund's support as of yet.

What Is The Best National Political LGBT Organization In The Country?

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in Washington, DC is simply one of the best LGBT political organizations in the country. The Fund is operated, top to bottom, with excellence, good management, effective use of funds and creating long term impact in the struggle for full equality. The change it has created by electing openly LGBT candidates to public office is simply immeasurable.

The purpose of the organization is to get early resources to the campaigns of viable LGBT candidates for public office. Then to continue with that support through election. They offer candidates expertise on how to deal with LGBT issues in campaigns but also had to run effective campaigns. They have raised millions for openly LGBT candidates in their 12 years of existence.

A huge number of people have been responsible for its prominent place in the community. The Victory Fund's present CEO Chuck Wolfe deserves enormous praise for taking it to the next level and its current success.

The victories of the organization run from names like Congressman Barney Frank, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Congressman Jarad Polis to big city mayors like Mayor Annise Parker of Houston, Mayor Sam Adam of Portland and Mayor David Cicilline of Providence. In the last dozen years the number of LGBT elected officials has risen from 49 to over 500 openly LGBT elected officials! This year alone they have endorsed a record breaking 123 candidates running for office including 6 running for the United States Congress! They have elected people in hardcore conservative states. They not only endorse for Congress but also for such agencies as the Metro Water Reclamation Board in Illinois.

In addition, the Victory Fund runs the best candidate and campaign training programs in existence. Recently they took over the international organization for LGBT elected officials. This year's conference for international LGBT elected officials will be held in Washington, DC this December.

Hope you will free some of those valuable resources you all have and support the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. It's worth it.

Senate Confirms Gay Museum Board Nominee John Coppola

The Presidential Appointments Project, a community driven effort coordinated by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, was responsible for bringing the three appointees to the attention of administration officials.

“John is one of a growing number of LGBT appointees to federal boards and commissions,” Denis Dison, a vice president at the Victory Fund, told On Top Magazine in an email. “The Presidential Appointments Project is seeking more LGBT applicants who, like John, are willing to serve on these important panels and help shape federal policy.”

Mike Huckabee 'Ick Factor' Comments Slammed By Gay Rights Groups

Denis Dison, Vice President of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, also responded to the comments, writing in an email to Politico: "The man keeps putting his foot in his mouth...Talk about 'ick factor.' One can only guess Gov. Huckabee has discovered he gets more press hits every time he says something stupid about gay people."

Huckabee has exhibited a penchant for making inflammatory statements concerning gay rights. In an April interview with the College of New Jersey's student publication, the Perspective, the former Governor compared gay adoption to experimentation and reminded reporters that "Children are not puppies."

Obama Expands Federal Benefits, Hires Over 100 Gay and Lesbian Staffers

This high number is driven by the Presidential Appointments Project, part of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, aimed at placing qualified LGBT people in jobs within the administration. The PAP offers an application form that interested LGBT people can fill out, and then they present those people as candidates to fill vacant slots. Their website lists the full roster of gay folks they’ve sent to the White House and beyond.

Now, it’s never wise to just assume that a high number means progress, but I’m convinced this is a really great thing. Of course I’d like the number to be higher. But I’d also like to see a day when we don’t even have to count, where it’s not an issue in the first place.

Gay groups hit Huckabee

That history, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Vice President Denis Dison wrote in an e-mail, is what gay groups find so objectionable.

“The man keeps putting his foot in his mouth,” said Dixon. “Talk about 'ick factor.' One can only guess Gov. Huckabee has discovered he gets more press hits every time he says something stupid about gay people.”

Obama administration has hired over 100 gay staffers

The Presidential Appointments Project, a community driven effort coordinated by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, suggested the hiring of many of the over 100 openly gay appointees serving in the administration.

“This has always been the point of the project – to make sure LGBT voices and their perspectives are heard at the highest levels of the U.S. government,” said George Walker, a vice president at the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute.

Long Beach councilman Robert Garcia named to "40-Under-40" list by The Advocate: First District leader selected for national honor.

Garcia is one of approximately 485 openly gay elected officials in the country at all levels of government, from local to federal, said Denis Dison, communications vice president with the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a political action committee that endorses nonpartisan candidates.

When the group formed in 1991, 49 openly LGBT elected officials were in office.

President Barack Obama has made more LGBT appointments than any commander-in-chief

The Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute published a list of Obama administration appointees.

The institute trains LGBT candidates on how to run an effective campaign and is related to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps raise money for endorsed candidates.

Some of the better-known names include Margarethe Cammermeyer, who is a member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. Cammermeyer is the highest-ranking woman to be dismissed from the military.

Obama Appoints Record Number Of Gay, Trans Staffers

The Presidential Appointments Project, a community driven effort coordinated by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, was responsible for bringing many of the appointees to the attention of administration officials.

“This has always been the point of the project – to make sure LGBT voices and their perspectives are heard at the highest levels of the U.S. government,” George Walker, a vice president at the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, said.

Cambridge Mayor comes out during Pride Brunch

"Good for Mayor Maher. No matter where they serve, it’s still a brave and good thing for elected officials who are gay to talk about that openly and honestly. Having out officials in leadership roles does a lot to dispel fears about LGBT people. It demonstrates we’re as committed and dedicated to our communities as everyone else," said Denis Dison, Vice President of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. "Cambridge now has its third openly gay mayor in a row, and the Massachusetts GOP’s candidate for lieutenant governor is openly gay, which are extraordinary developments. That said, out elected officials are still rare in America, and many states have still never elected an openly gay state legislator, including large states like Florida and Pennsylvania."

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=106949

Cambridge, Mass. Mayor Comes Out

Maher, 51, has been with his partner for more than 30 years, the Chronicle reports. He took office in February.

As the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund reports, Maher follows former mayors Ken Reeves, who was the first African-American openly gay man to serve as a mayor in the United States, and E. Denise Simmons, who became the country’s first out lesbian African-American mayor.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/06/15/Cambridge_Mass_Mayor_Comes_Out/

SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Victory Fund's Robin Brand

SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Victory Fund's Robin Brand 
by Mike Andrew - SGN Staff Writer

Robin Brand, deputy executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, will be in Seattle for a June 14 event with local LGBT political leaders and supporters.

The Victory Fund describes itself as an organization that 'identifies, trains, and elects LGBT leaders to all levels of office, in every corner of America.'

It claims a 68% win rate for its endorsed candidates.

Brand is no stranger to Washington, having been executive director of the state's Democratic Party in the mid-'90s.

She spoke exclusively with SGN about the Victory Fund's strategy and how that will pay out in Washington state.

"We've endorsed over 100 candidates this year," she told SGN, "the most ever. We've endorsed three in Washington - Marko Liias, Jamie Pedersen, and Laurie Jinkins. She will be the first openly Lesbian member of the legislature. It's very exciting!"

Liias is running for reelection as a State Representative in the 21st District, as Pedersen is in the 43rd. Jinkins is running for an open House seat in Tacoma's 27th District.

"Washington state has a great history with LGBT electeds!" Brand said. "I remember Cal Anderson. And Ed Murray - he's kind of the patriarch of LGBT electeds."

"It will be interesting running under the new primary laws - the top two go to the general [election]," she added. "It will be a different dynamic than in the past."

Brand then outlined other races she believed were especially important.

"We have two great congressional candidates," she said. "David Cicilline, the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, and Steve Pougnet, the mayor of Palm Springs. That's a swing district where we think we have a good chance to pick up the seat."

"[Pougnet's opponent, Mary Bono Mack ] voted against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal," Brand added.

Republican incumbent Mack, onetime wife of the late Sonny Bono and his successor in Congress, voted the Republican party line 89% of the time and earned an 84% approval rating from the Christian Coalition.

"There's also an important primary in Ohio," Brand told SGN. "Nickie Antonio will be the first openly Gay member of the Ohio legislature."

Antonio won her Democratic primary on June 8. No Republicans have filed for the seat, and an independent candidate withdrew from the race, meaning Antonio is certain to win the seat in November.

"We have a number of what we call 'building our influence states' - Washington, Colorado, and Maryland for example," Brand continued. "This also coincides with the next tier of states looking to expand relationship recognition."

"We've noticed that where you have five or more LGBT members in the legislature, that's where they've passed significant relationship recognition laws," she explained. "Colorado and Maryland are right at that threshold level."

Asked if she was advocating a state-by-state approach to marriage equality, Brand replied, "The Victory Fund itself doesn't advocate for policy issues, but we do see the value in working in states where you have two, three, four, five members [of the legislature]."

Brand is optimistic about electing LGBT candidates, and says she is not worried about the Tea Party, or what some have begun to call the "new right."

"It's clear there's frustration among all voters with economic issues, deficits, cuts in services - that's never good for incumbents. But I'm not convinced it's going to be anti-Democratic or anti-progressive," she said. "There's anger towards the direction the country is going, but I don't think it's partisan."

"We're continually electing LGBT candidates. We have really competitive races in Montana, Colorado, and Oklahoma - it's only going in one direction," Brand concluded.

Brand added that the Victory Fund also tries to build working alliances with other constituencies that might have compatible political goals.

"Labor, for example. In California, we've worked very well with the California Nurses Association. Washington is ahead of the curve a little bit on this issue," she told SGN.

"We're always looking for candidates who represent many constituencies. We support many candidates of color - a high percentage - our commitment to diversity is very strong," she added.

Asked what candidates could expect to get from a Victory Fund endorsement, Brand listed several benefits the Victory Fund offers.

"Our goal is to have openly Gay office holders in every state. There are still 18 or 19 without one in the state legislature. So one thing we do is to recruit candidates.

"We also train candidates. It's really very hard work. Our Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute has worked with hundreds of potential candidates. Sometimes after going through the training, someone will decide that being a candidate is not for them&

"We offer financial support. We offer technical support. Our team divvies up the candidates and we go and meet with them, and we ask them, 'How is the campaign doing? How many doors have you knocked on? How much money have you raised?'"

Brand told SGN that LGBT victories in any part of the country benefit the community even in places where LGBT voters are not very visible or well organized.

"There's no doubt that our successes in states like Washington and Vermont are moving the needle across the country. It impacts where we are nationally," she said

"How do we get more influential? Openly Gay candidates - that's an important first step for voters in supporting Gay rights. The voter might say, 'Well, I think he or she will do a good job, and that's more important than being Gay.'"

"That's especially important in the more conservative states," Brand added.

Brand herself is closely identified with the Democratic Party, having led the Washington state party - "Through its darkest years!" she chuckles. "I came in in 1995."

Almost all the candidates endorsed by The Victory Fund run as Democrats. Asked if they had written off the Republican Party, Brand replied it had not.

"We have endorsed Republican candidates - a couple of them, anyway - and we're looking to expand the number," she said.

"There's an openly Gay Republican running for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts," she added, noting "There's a very different dynamic in a Republican primary."

Brand will be the special guest at a June 14 event at Marjorie's, 1412 E. Union Street, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The $50 ticket goes to support the Victory Fund's Leadership Institute.

Hosts of the event include Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Tom Rasmussen, Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello, Port Commissioner Rob Holland, State Sen. Joe McDermott, State Rep. Marko Liias, Anne Levinson, Tina Podlodowski, Michael Mattmiller and Jay Petterson, Kevin Thompson and Greg Ratliff, and Brady Walkinshaw.

http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews38_24/page1.cfm

Outing Politicians: Does It Ultimately Help or Hurt Us

Denis Dison, spokesman for the Victory Fund, which supports the efforts of openly LGBT politicians running for public office, agreed: "Having somebody who is secretly gay in public office doesn’t really help [the community], but the process of dragging that person out of the closet can have a negative effect if it reinforces the idea that being LGBT is extremely negative to the point somebody would want to lie about it," Dison told EDGE.

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=106870&pg=1

Trans candidate officially files against Kern

Both McAffrey and Kovach have the endorsement of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Novotny has taken Victory Fund candidate training but has not sought their endorsement.

“Tom is in a very good position to win,” said Victory Fund spokesman Denis Dison. “He’s a known quantity with a good record.”

Dison called that district, which is south of Oklahoma City and includes the Oklahoma University campus, one of the most liberal in the state.

“Right now I’m on the city council,” Kovach said. “My ward is 40 percent of the district so most people here are familiar with me.”

He said he faces three other candidates in the primary.

“Two of them are college students in their early 20s,” he said.

The third person was a surprise last-minute filing and has mounted no campaign with just six week left before the primary.

Although his chances look good, Kovach is taking nothing for granted. He is taking the primary seriously, and he said the Republican challenger in the fall looks quite credible.

“There are enough independents in the district that there could be an upset,” he said.

Dison had no comment on Novotny’s race because she has not applied for Victory Fund’s endorsement.

http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_12995.php

Victory Fund candidates shine in last night's political races

Out LGBT candidates across the country had great success as at least 16 of 21 endorsed by The Victory Fund either won or advanced in primaries.

-As expected, openly gay Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, a Democrat, will face Republican Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack in the race to represent California's 45th Congressional District.

-In California, the State Assembly is likely to welcome three new openly gay and lesbian lawmakers after key primary wins last night put them on the road to victory this November. Toni Atkins (Dist 76), Rich Gordon (Dist 21) and Ricardo Lara (Dist 50) won their Democratic primaries in overwhelmingly Democratic Assembly districts. With one gay lawmaker leaving the California Senate due to term limits, the state is now likely to have a total of seven openly gay and lesbian state legislators in the next term, up from five currently.

-Also in California, Jill Ravitch won her race for Sonoma County District Attorney, beating an incumbent. She will become the state's second openly lesbian District Attorney, joining San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a Republican who is unopposed in her reelection bid.

-Openly transgender lawyer Victoria Kolakowski also advanced to the general election in her race for Superior Court Judge in Alameda County, Calif.

-In Maine, out lesbian candidate Jill Barkley is now the heavy favorite to win a seat in the Maine State House after winning her primary last night.

-Montana is also likely to add at least one openly gay state lawmaker. Bryce Bennett won his Democratic primary to advance to the general election in November. He's running in a very Democratic district, so it's expected he'll join Rep. Diane Sands, who was unopposed in her reelection bid, in the Montana State House. Aaron Kampfe also advanced in his Democratic primary for a seat in the Montana Senate.

Growing number of gays on ballot in Maryland

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed Clippinger, who said he’s benefitting from gay supporters.

“I have identified LGBT supporters across the district who are helping my campaign every day by holding meet and greets, going door to door, and raising money for my candidacy,” Clippinger said.

Also securing a Victory Fund endorsement is Washington, who is campaigning in District 43. If elected, she would become the second openly lesbian black state lawmaker in the country.

“I am running for the Maryland House of Delegates because I believe the district needs more vigorous, more progressive leadership,” she said, “and the community needs elected officials who can inspire public trust, serve as a catalyst for positive change and work effectively to expand social and economic justice.”

Political Notebook: Transgender judicial candidate claims first place

In Kolakowski's favor is the fact that Alameda County voters have not elected a sitting deputy DA to the court in more than 30 years. Nor do they elect white men; they have, instead, favored female and minority candidates. Also, the fall election is expected to attract more Democrats and independents to the polls, which could aide Kolakowski.

"The electorate or people voting in November will be a different segment of the total public. With contested Republican primaries, they had higher turnout. A lot of independent voters didn't vote at all," she said.

Her election will be a key race for LGBT groups this fall. Equality California, the statewide LGBT lobbying group, has already made it a top priority, while her first place finish this week is sure to boost attention to her campaign from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Five Gay Candidates Advance In California Assembly Races

Four of the candidates – Perez, Atkins, Wilson and Lara – have the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that supports openly gay elected officials, but Ammiano does not. California's largest gay advocate, Equality California, has endorsed all five candidates.

Out Candidates Win Big in Primaries

Openly LGBT candidates made gains in primary elections across the country Tuesday, with wins in states including California, Montana and Maine.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which supports out candidates, "Openly LGBT candidates won political races literally from coast to coast last night, with key wins in California, Montana and Maine. At least 16 of the Victory Fund’s 21 endorsed candidates on the ballot yesterday either won their races outright or advanced to general elections."http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/06/09/Out_Candidates_Win_Big_in_Primaries/

Drew Hammill, Jason Mida

Drew Hammill and Jason Mida were married Saturday at their home in Washington. The Rev. Ryan C. Tisch, a minister of the World Christianship Ministries, officiated.

Mr. Hammill (left), 31, is the press secretary to Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives in Washington. He graduated from the University of Illinois and received a master’s degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics.

He is the son of Rebecca A. Hammill and Thomas E. Hammill of Pittsburg, Ill.

Mr. Mida, 30, is the vice president for development at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in Washington. He graduated from Abilene Christian University. He is a son of Janet M. Mida of Frisco, Tex., and the late Harry Mida.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/fashion/weddings/06HAMMILL.html

Passalacqua, Ravitch courting west county vote at gay pride parade

It's unclear which district attorney candidate is supported by gay voters. However, Ravitch, who is gay, is probably more popular, Muller said. She has actively courted gay voters, soliciting donations on the national Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund website.

"The gay community, like everyone else, is a group of independent thinkers," said Muller, who's been in gay politics in Sonoma County for 30 years. "It's not a case of all gay people will vote for her because she's gay or there's an impression that she's gay."
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100604/NEWS/6041053/1033?p=1&tc=pg

Political Notebook: LGBT lawyers weigh in on judicial races

Up in Sonoma County out lesbian Jill Ravitch  is waging an intense fight to unseat incumbent District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua. It is the second time that Ravitch, a former prosecutor in Sonoma County who now works in the Mendocino County District Attorney's office, has tried to oust her former boss from office.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is backing Ravitch in the race; she reported last month amassing $232,000 in contributions for her campaign. Passalacqua has banked more than $381,000 for his re-election effort this year, but the Santa Rosa Press Democrat noted that he has lent more of his own money to his campaign.

Should Ravitch win, she would be the country's second out lesbian D.A. after Bonnie Dumanis in San Diego.

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4829

Lesbian Judge Wins Statewide Race in New Mexico

According to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which endorsed Vanzi, she “was selected for a seat on the Court of Appeals in 2008 by Gov. [Bill] Richardson. Under New Mexico state law, appointed judges must stand for election in the next general election following their appointment. In the future, voters will be asked only if they wish to retain Vanzi on the statewide court.”

“Prior to her appointment,” reports the Victory Fund, “Vanzi served on the Second Judicial District court from 2004-2008. Vanzi’s legal career has spanned a broad range of issues from civil rights to employment law, personal injury, child abuse and neglect, and commercial law. Vanzi has been awarded the Judge of the Year award by the Albuquerque Bar Association and the Trial Judge of Year award by the American Board of Trial Advocates.”

Senate Approves Openly Gay Attorney Nominee Laura Duffy

“President Obama has appointed more than 100 LGBT Americans to his administration so far, with abut two dozen of those requiring Senate confirmation,” Denis Dison, a vice president at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that supports openly gay candidates, told On Top Magazine in an email.

Last month, the Senate confirmation of Marisa Demeo, a candidate to the D.C. Superior Court bench, drew widespread criticism from conservative groups because she is a lesbian.

Is Mary Cheney Helping Antigay McCollum?

As the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund points out on its blog, GayPolitics.com, any alliance between McCollum and Cheney is  particularly interesting considering that Cheney and her partner, as the parents of two children, are two of the country's highest-profile lesbian parents.

Mayor Lowe wants the focus off him being gay

While Lowe is proud to be the first gay mayor in this part of the world, he said sexuality matters not in terms of leadership.

But Denis Dison, a spokesman for the Victory Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that helps gay candidates in campaigns, said Lowe's victory was monumental.

Growing up in Orange Park, Dison said he didn't expect to see a gay mayor in North Florida, and Lowe's victory is a milestone that was discussed in gay media across the country, in part because of the sign and homophobic, anti-Lowe fliers that were spread around town.

"I think the fact that he was elected mayor where he was elected is also why it was news around the country," Dison said.

Speaking about the "hateful" rhetoric against Lowe, Dison said, "You don't see it much in San Francisco or Manhattan."

But, Terry Fleming, Lowe's friend and the co-president of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, said he thinks the sign and the fliers were an aberration.

"Gainesville," he said, "is an incredibly welcoming and diverse community."

Mayor Lowe wants the focus off him being gay

While Lowe is proud to be the first gay mayor in this part of the world, he said sexuality matters not in terms of leadership.

But Denis Dison, a spokesman for the Victory Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that helps gay candidates in campaigns, said Lowe's victory was monumental.

Growing up in Orange Park, Dison said he didn't expect to see a gay mayor in North Florida, and Lowe's victory is a milestone that was discussed in gay media across the country, in part because of the sign and homophobic, anti-Lowe fliers that were spread around town.

"I think the fact that he was elected mayor where he was elected is also why it was news around the country," Dison said.

Speaking about the "hateful" rhetoric against Lowe, Dison said, "You don't see it much in San Francisco or Manhattan."

But, Terry Fleming, Lowe's friend and the co-president of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, said he thinks the sign and the fliers were an aberration.

"Gainesville," he said, "is an incredibly welcoming and diverse community."http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100520/ARTICLES/100529935/1002/NEWS01?p=1&tc=pg

Ohio Gets Their First Openly LBGT Lawmaker

Come November, Nickie Antonio will make history as the Ohio's first openly gay state representative.

Antonio, who now sits on the Lakewood, Ohio City Council, won the Democratic primary May 4 for State Legislator, and no Republican filed in the district that includes parts of Cleveland and Lakewood.  Her only opponent, an independent candidate, has dropped out of the race, leaving Antonio the only candidate on the ballot. When she’s seated, Ohio will finally come off the list of states with no openly LGBT lawmakers in their state legislatures.  That will leave 18 states still on the list, including Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

"Hopefully, once the first [openly gay] thing is done, there doesn’t need to be so much of a focus on that," she tells the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "How to best fix a hole in the budget — that’s not an issue where sexual orientation makes a difference."

She was endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and The Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest daily.

Palmquist among 2010 Leadership Fellows

Ian Palmquist, executive director of Equality North Carolina and board chair of the Equality Federation, is among 10 individuals selected as Bohnett Leadership Fellows by the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute this year.http://goqnotes.com/6824/palmquist-among-2010-leadership-fellows/

Leadership Fellows to attend Harvard Kennedy School

The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute (GLLI) has announced its 2010 class of David Bohnett Gay & Lesbian Leadership Fellows, made up of 10 openly LGBT leaders who will receive scholarships to attend the Harvard Kennedy School this summer. The recipients will attend the school’s three-week Senior Executives in State and Local Government program for mid-career professionals in June and July.

Chuck Wolfe, GLLI’s president and CEO, said, "The new Fellows have deep and varied experience in public service as elected and appointed officials, and as leaders in the LGBT movement. We are proud to work alongside the David Bohnett Foundation to invest in the leadership capacity of some of our community’s brightest and most talented people."http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=community&sc=community_guide&sc2=news&sc3=&id=105768

Gay Man Running for Conn. Comptroller

Health care advocate Kevin Lembo has entered the race for Connecticut comptroller, a post that oversees the state's financial reporting.

150 Reasons to Have Pride in 2010

BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE OF US IN ELECTED OFFICE THAN EVER BEFORE
I’m proud that the number of openly LGBT elected officials serving in America is at an all-time high and that this year the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is on track to endorse its largest slate of out candidates ever. These courageous individuals give voice to our community in the halls of power, speak authentically about our lives, and fight hardest for laws and policies that make our country more fair and more free. Last year Houston became the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor. Today, Annise Parker is serving 2.2 million Houstonians honestly, openly, and with a quiet dignity that has the power to change hearts and minds about what LGBT Americans have to offer their country. In March, Parker issued one of the country’s most comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination policies governing public employees—a move that drew howls of protest from the very antigay groups that fought to keep her from winning. Their bigotry was as predictable as Parker’s determination. Still, with more than half a million elective offices in the United States, gay people are vastly underrepresented in government. Fewer than 500 of those posts are filled with openly LGBT officeholders—a 10-fold increase since the Victory Fund was founded in 1991, but not nearly enough. We’re committed to winning more of those offices so that more out elected officials gain the same voice, the same vote, and the same power that all Americans enjoy. —Chuck Wolfe, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund president and chief executive officer
http://www.advocate.com/Print_Issue/Cover_Stories/150_Reasons_to_Have_Pride_in_2010/

Political Notes: DADT opponent Garamendi gains say over military policies

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund chose Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward's bid to be the first openly gay African American elected to California's Assembly as one of two campaigns across the country to highlight to its members this month.

Last week the national LGBT group's president and CEO Chuck Wolfe sent out an e-mail May 5 urging fund members to not only donate to Ward's campaign but also to the campaign of Cleveland resident Nickie Antonio, who would be Ohio's first out person elected to the state legislature in the Buckeye State.

It was the first time that the Victory Fund has highlighted the campaign of a gay candidate from California this year. And it is likely the only one it will do so ahead of the June 8 primary, as its next e-mail will be of little help to anyone running in next month's elections.

"If you look at the pecking order of races, there are breakthrough races that are very important to focus on. That does not mean we don't pay attention to other races but if we are trying to get the first out legislator in a state elected, that is a very important race," said Denis Dison, the Victory Fund's vice president for external affairs.

Ward is one of five out non-incumbent Democrats running for Assembly seats this year. While the fund has endorsed the entire quintet, it is Ward who is in one of the toughest election battles.

He is also the only one not to be endorsed by Equality California. The statewide LGBT lobbyist group is instead backing its board member Betsy Butler, a straight woman, in the Assembly District 53 race along the state's coastal region south of Los Angeles.

Wolfe acknowledged in his e-mail last week that Ward faces tough odds and that "he's going to need your help to win."

In a phone interview Friday, Dison said Ward was selected over the other LGBT candidates who will appear on primary ballots throughout the Golden State because of his greater need for resources.

"Looking at that race, he needs more money compared to the other races," he said.

Lakewood council member Nickie Antonio might become first openly gay state lawmaker

"It's about building the farm team and being willing to run for office," said Collin Burton, a full-time staffer for the Ohio Democratic Party who solely works on outreach and candidate recruitment in the state's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities. "They do also need more attention and need to be given the confidence that they can win these races."

A national organization -- the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund -- also seeks to help Antonio and other GLBT candidates.

Spokesman Denis Dison said that national polling shows about 30 percent of Americans won't vote for a gay candidate no matter what. Still, he said 31 states currently have openly gay members in their state legislatures.

"There are built-in barriers so gay candidates need to understand they have to be better candidates and campaigners than straight people if they are going to win," said Dison, whose group's political action committee has cut a $5,000 check to Antonio.

Dison said his group helps candidates "navigate the waters" of being out and running for office including how to handle questions about sexual orientation.

"In a lot of places in America, people jump to the conclusion that an openly gay candidate is running because of that and for that reason," Dison said. "But that's rarely the case, and Nickie is a perfect example of that as someone who is incredibly involved in her community."