Karine Jean-Pierre, the first out LGBTQ+ person and Black woman to serve as White House Press Secretary, set the stakes high for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. as the moderator of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s Women + Power: Attorneys General Defending Equality and Justice plenary discussion at the 41st annual International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. The panel featured three trailblazing LGBTQ+ women attorneys general, all currently serving, who are reshaping the justice system, despite remaining underrepresented in public office.
Katine Jean Pierre moderates a panel of LGBTQ+ political history makers, herself included, at the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, on Dec. 5.
Jean-Pierre reflected on the escalating federal attacks on LGBTQ+ people, civil rights and democracy—noting that the panel of trailblazing lesbian attorneys general—Anne Lopez of Hawaii, Kris Mayes of Arizona and Dana Nessel of Michigan—“stand at the forefront of resistance.”
“Today, we have the privilege of hearing from three groundbreaking attorneys general — trailblazers who are not only making history by holding some of the highest legal offices in their states, but redefining what it means to lead with courage, conviction, and authenticity,” Jean-Pierre said in her opening remarks.
As she introduced the attorneys general, Jean-Pierre said they are charting and building a path forward for the next generation of LGBTQ+ women in elected leadership.
From L-R: Attorney General Dana Nessel of Michigan, Kris Mayes of Arizona, Anne Lopez of Hawaii and former White House Press Secretary and moderator Karine Jean Pierre discuss LGBTQ+ women leadership at 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference hosted by LGBTQ+ Victory Institute on Dec. 5. Photo by United Photography
“They wield the authority of their offices to protect vulnerable communities, defend hard-won progress, and ensure that the promise of equity, equality, is not eroded but expanded,” said Jean-Pierre. “This conversation is not just about policy or politics. It is about the lived experience of navigating high-stakes challenges in a volatile national landscape.”
Lopez has served as Hawaii’s attorney general since Dec. 5, 2022. As Jean-Pierre puts it, Lopez has focused on “integrity, accountability and protecting the rights of Hawaiians across diverse communities.”
Mayes has been in office as Arizona’s attorney general since Jan. 2, 2023. Jean-Pierre called Mayes “a champion of democracy and civil rights whose leadership is vital in safeguarding voting rights and defending vulnerable populations in a rapidly changing state.”
Nessel is now in her second term as Michigan’s attorney general, beginning her first term on Jan. 1, 2019, before being re-elected in the November 2022 election. Jean-Pierre referred to Nessel as a “nationally recognized advocate for equality and justice who has led landmark efforts to protect LGBTQ+ rights and ensure that the law serves all people fairly.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel shares her experiences protecting her constituents from overreach at the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, on Dec. 5.
During the discussion, the three lesbian officials shared how their identities have shaped their leadership.
Lopez said sharing one’s identity can be emotionally challenging or even dangerous. As a leader, she makes sure the people who work with her feel respected and valued.
Nessel ran as an openly proud lesbian who takes pride in her family and their legal protections. “I’m going to let people know about our family every single chance I get,” added Nessel.
Mayes said voters want leaders who will fight for them, and that all three are fighters. Her identity and lived experiences shape how she navigates her role as attorney general.
The three attorney generals put that fighting spirit to the test earlier this year. The inauguration of President Donald Trump’s second term took place on January 20, 2025. Lopez said the Democratic attorneys general were prepared to fight for democracy.
Attorney General Anne Lopez addresses attendees at the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, on Dec. 5. Photo by United Photography.
“The Democratic attorneys general were already prepared, already collaborating, and already dedicated to this fight in the short term and in the long run,” said Lopez. “We continue that fight every day.”
Lopez never thought she would be a leader in the office, fighting for democracy. “It’s inconceivable to me that this is the position that I’m in,” she said after pointing out that in Hawaii, the attorney general is appointed and then confirmed by the Senate.
In the cases of Lopez and her colleagues, the role of attorney general isn’t that of a reactive or even symbolic actor, but that of active defenders of democracy.
Mayes said she’s able to fight the good fight because of winning by a margin of 280 votes out of 2.5 million in the closest statewide electoral race in Arizona’s history. “Victory…was there for me, and I deeply appreciate it.”
“Just always know that your political participation, your campaign dollars, your volunteer time, it matters,” said Mayes. “I am sitting here with my colleagues able to do this incredibly important work to protect American democracy because of you, because of 280 votes.”
As of late December 2025, Mayes has sued the Trump administration at least 30 times to protect Arizona’s interests or challenge what she considers violations of the U.S. Constitution. She isn’t afraid of retaliation from the federal government.
“If all I ever do with the rest of my life is spend the next year and a half standing up for American democracy, I’ll be okay with that,” said Mayes, garnering applause from the audience.
Before becoming attorney general, Nessel was a key marriage equality litigator in DeBoer v. Snyder, challenging Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage. DeBoer v. Snyder consolidated into the landmark United States Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015.
“It just seemed like there was no looking back,” said Nessel. “We were going to make so much progress with that amazing United States Supreme Court at our backs.”
But she would have to appear before a slightly different Supreme Court to defend those same rights multiple times. Nessel hasn’t let those setbacks stop her, managing to recover $2 billion that she said the “federal government has illegally, unconstitutionally, tried to take from us.”
The attorneys general said that it’s coalition-building that gives them hope. Lopez pointed out that walls that divide communities or movements are coming down.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s immigration rights, LGBTQ+ rights, the right to food, or the right to affordable housing. People across or under that tent are beginning to come together,” said Lopez.
AGs Mayes, Nessel, and Lopez are the only three out lesbian Attorneys General in the country, and it is the first time that three out LGBTQ+ attorneys general have served at the same time. Photo taken at the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC by United Photography.
Mayes said defenders of democracy will win through the three C’s: the courts, the crowds and courage—mentioning the massive protests happening across the U.S., even in conservative regions.
Nessel agreed with the sentiment, acknowledging that people were protesting for the first time and referencing the 3.5% rule, which holds that if at least 3.5% of the population participates in nonviolent, peaceful protest, it can impact democratic change.
Nessel closed out the discussion, speaking on behalf of all her democratic colleagues, and proclaimed that complacency isn’t the answer.
“Appeasement does not work. Capitulation does not work,” said Nessel. “The only thing that a bully like Donald Trump and his administration understand is fighting back.”
The panel of attorneys general delivered a clear message: defending democracy is a collective effort by elected officials and diverse communities across the U.S., and these powerful and accomplished LGBTQ+ women are a critical part of the resistance.
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