A national day to encourage LGBTQ+ leaders to run for office.
(previously called National Out to Win Day)
It Needs to Be You
Too many LGBTQ+ people don’t see themselves as leaders in elected office, but they are wrong. LGBTQ+ people are winning in conservative towns and liberal states. More LGBTQ+ people of color, bisexual, transgender and non-binary people are winning than ever before. America is ready to elect LGBTQ+ leaders, but we need more to step up and run.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
California Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins
Virginia State Delegate Danica Roem
You Can Change Lives
Having an LGBTQ+ voice in the room is invaluable and our out elected officials prove it everyday. LGBTQ+ elected officials are the driving force behind pro-equality legislation in so many chambers and are the ones who lead the fight to defeat anti-LGBTQ bills. Yet the impact goes well beyond LGBTQ+ equality issues alone. LGBTQ+ elected officials are leading on climate change, healthcare policy and so much more.
Georgia state Representative Park Cannon and Miss Lawrence on Queer Visibility in Politics
Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons and Activist Ida Nelson on Fighting to End Hair Discrimination
Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton on trans representation
You Are Qualified
You don’t need a law degree or political experience to run for office — you just need a passion to create change and the desire to make your community stronger. LGBTQ elected officials come from diverse work backgrounds and that experience makes them better leaders. LGBTQ elected officials have been teachers, activists, grocery store workers and event planners.
Georgia state Senator Kim Jackson
Arizona state Represenative Andrés Cano
Oklahoma state Representative Mauree Turner
DC State Board of Education Member Allister Chang
You Can Do It
We won’t lie: Running as an out LGBTQ+ candidate is not always easy. We face the rigors all candidates face: choosing a seat to run for, learning how to fundraise and knocking on lots (and we mean lots) of doors. But we also face challenges many candidates do not, unfortunately including anti-LGBTQ campaign tactics. Yet nothing you will face is new: another LGBTQ+ candidate has dealt with it: and won. As a community and training organization, we are here to help you on the way.
Former Kansas State Representative Stephanie Byers and Activist Tori Gleason on Trans Visibility in State Government
Florida state Senator Shevrin Jones
Colorado state Representative Brianna Titone
I’m Ready to Run
Our community desperately needs more LGBTQ+ people like you to run for office and fight for equality in the halls of power. As we said earlier: if not you, who?
There are many resources to help people running for office, including Victory Institute and our out LGBTQ+ elected leaders. Below are some action items you can take right now:
Ready to run? Sign up to receive more information about the process – including your first virtual training!
Learn about and register for our Leadership Summits and intensive Candidate & Campaign Trainings here!
Inspired, but not ready to run just yet? Make a tax-deductible donation to power LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s work today!
Support LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain global equality through leadership development, training, and convening to increase the number, expand the diversity, and ensure the success of out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.