Victory in the News

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.