A national day to encourage LGBTQ+ leaders to run for office.
Lead Out Loud: Letters to Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Elected Officials
Being an out LGBTQ+ elected official can be an intense job. They’re the first line of defense against hateful bills, consistently serving as one of the few (or the only) LGBTQ+ voice in the room. This year, we wanted to show them our appreciation and hear what advice they’d give to a future candidate. Watch as they read letters to future candidates and notes sent to them by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute family.
Elected in 2022, Connecticut state Treasurer Erick Russell is the first Black out LGBTQ+ executive official elected statewide in U.S. history.
Minnesota state Senator Erin Maye Quade was one of the first out LGBTQ+ women and first Black women ever elected to the Minnesota state Senate in 2022!
Alaska state Representative Andrew Gray was one of the first three out LGBTQ+ people elected to the Alaska state legislature in 2022!
Minnesota state Representative Leigh Finke became the first transgender person elected to state office in Minnesota in 2022.
South Dakota state Representative Kameron Nelson is the first out gay man ever elected to the South Dakota legislature and restored representation in 2022.
Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield was the first out LGBTQ+ person elected citywide in Charlotte when she won in 2022.
Inspired by what you’ve heard? Ready to make huge changes? Sign up to receive more information about how YOU can run for office!
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!
About Lead Out Loud Day
On April 2, 1974, Kathy Kozachenko won a seat on the Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council, becoming the first out LGBTQ+ person elected to public office in the United States. Each April 2, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute celebrates Lead Out Loud Day to honor her legacy and encourage more LGBTQ+ people to run for office in her footsteps.
At just 21 years old, Kathy wanted to run as her authentic self and stand up for social justice issues. As she said in her victory speech, “Many people’s attitudes about gayness are still far from healthy, but my campaign forced some people at least to re-examine their prejudices and stereotypes.”
America needs more LGBTQ+ leaders like Kathy Kozachenko to step up and run for office. This Lead Out Loud Day, we ask: Why not you?
If the videos we’ve shared today convince you to learn more running, we’ll share first steps to get started. Our community needs you.
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!
YOU Should Run
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.
The point is: if not you, who? Hear from LGBTQ+ leaders on past Lead Out Loud Days about their work and what inspires them.
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.
Spread the Word
Help encourage LGBTQ+ people to run on social media!
America needs more LGBTQ+ people to run for office, but that won’t happen without your help. Take two minutes to help spread the word about Lead Out Loud Day and encourage LGBTQ+ people you know to run!