Press Release

Victory Fund endorses Cicilline for Congress

Mon, Feb 22nd 2010, 11:13

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced its endorsement of David Cicilline in his race to become the next U.S. Representative from Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. 
 
Cicilline is mayor of Providence, where during the last 8 years he gained a reputation as a reformer who helped root out corruption and lower the city’s crime rate.  His first election to the post in 2002 made Providence one of the largest cities in the U.S. with an openly gay mayor.  If elected, Cicilline will become the fourth sitting openly gay Member of Congress.
 
“Mayor Cicilline’s election will be good news not only for the people of Rhode Island, but for LGBT Americans everywhere who would gain another authentic voice in Congress,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.  “Having managed Providence for the past 8 years, Mayor Cicilline knows what Congress needs to do to help cities emerge from a harsh recession and to put Americans back to work,” Wolfe added.
 
Currently just three of the 535 members of Congress are openly gay or lesbian.  They are Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.).  Three other openly gay Americans have served in Congress:  the late Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.); former Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Wis.); and former Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.).
 
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to growing the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elected officials at all levels of government.  Since its founding in 1991 the number of out elected officials has increased from 49 to more than 475.  For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org