Victory in the News

Out Lesbian Lawyer Wins Special Election in Minnesota, Will Fight State's Proposed Marriage Amendment

Winning the election for Minnesota House District 61B, the DFLer, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, also is the nation's first Native American lesbian lawmaker. 

The Victory Fund, which supports out LGBT candidates, had endorsed Allen and celebratedthe victory.

Tiffany Muller, the Victory Fund's vice president for political operations, said in a statement, "We're thrilled for Susan and the remarkable progress her victory represents. This is our first win of 2012, and it's a fantastic way to start off what will be a very exciting year for LGBT candidates." 

Takano on path to make history in Calif. race

The Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and gay Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) have already endorsed Takano. During a recent trip to D.C., Takano also secured endorsements from retiring gay Rep. Frank as well as members of the House Democratic leadership, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). 

How Barney Frank helped change the landscape for gay politicians

Today, more than 30 states have gay representatives in both legislative houses, according to the Victory Fund, an international advocacy group for gay and lesbian public office holders. This year, 72 gays and lesbians were elected in the United States and 110 were elected in 2010. There are more than 500 openly gay elected public officials in the country today, says Denis Dison, spokesman for the Victory Fund. 

Quinn: More work on LGBT issues needed in N.Y.

For lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the passage of a same-sex marriage law in New York was a big win, but she acknowledges that more work on LGBT issues is needed.

"It passed in a pretty low time in our economy and a tough time for the city and state, and what I've noticed is wherever I go in the city — even still — people are happy," Quinn told the Washington Blade. "You go to senior centers, they're still congratulating me. It's really created, I think, a lot of joy and a stronger sense of community in the city."

Quinn made the remarks during the 27th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference — sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute — after a panel session titled "Victory in New York: A Model for Success," in which participants discussed the strategy that led to the enactment of same-sex marriage in New York. 

Finances at 'turning point' for groups

"Of particular concern," said the MAP report, "contributions from individual donors dropped sharply (a 14% drop, or $9.3 million) between 2009 and 2010. This revenue drop was mostly offset by revenue increases from corporations (41% increase, or $1.8 million),bequests (30% increase, or $1.6 million), fundraising events (6% increase, or $1.1 million) and other income (126% increase, or $3.2 million)."

MAP made its analysis using financial data from 40 LGBT groups, 27 of which had annual budgets of more than $1 million and 13 additional organizations whose missions are considered "critical" to the LGBT movement. The groups included such well-known national organizations as the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, as well as state groups, including MassEquality, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and Equality California.