FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 9, 2016
Friday, Dec. 9 (Washington, D.C.)—Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who will join Senate leadership next year, discussed how she will work with Senate colleagues to protect equality under the Trump administration.
In a conversation with Victory Institute President & CEO Aisha Moodie-Mills, Sen. Baldwin said that one of her top priorities will be protecting the incredible progress for LGBTQ equality made under President Obama. She assured the crowd that Senate Democrats plan to bolster the Department of Justice’s ability to investigate and enforce hate crime laws – especially given recent anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant violence post-election – and will push forward with the Equality Act.
Asked what she would say to aspiring leaders who are discouraged by the election, Sen. Baldwin said: “I understand how difficult it is to hear the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and I understand why that would potentially be a turn off for getting involved in public life. Do not listen to those voices. Do not listen to the cynics and the naysayers and the keepers of the status quo.”
Sen. Baldwin’s conversation is part of the larger three-day Victory Institute International LGBTQ Leaders Conference – which has convened more than 500 LGBTQ elected officials, appointees and leaders determined to continue progress on LGBTQ equality.
The International LGBTQ Leaders Conference takes place in Washington, DC through Saturday, Dec. 10. For a complete agenda and speakers, visit www.lgbtleaders.org.
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Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute works to increase the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in public office and to provide programming, service, and other support to ensure their success.
