Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ+ Victory Institute celebrated Laphonza Butler’s appointment to be the next U.S. senator from California – the first out LGBTQ+ Black person to ever serve in the body. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, released the following statement about her appointment:
“Laphonza is a champion for building a more inclusive and representative government and will certainly be a champion for women, people of color and LGBTQ+ people in the U.S Senate. Today she shatters a rainbow ceiling in becoming the first out Black LGBTQ+ U.S. senator and she will serve knowing her presence and impact will be felt in countless ways. The U.S. Senate is our most prestigious legislative body, but also one where change is slow. Laphonza’s appointment today is an exception to that rule, being a big step forward in our push for a more representative government.”
Laphonza is the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the Senate and will be only the third out LGBTQ+ U.S. senator in American history – following Tammy Baldwin and Kyrsten Sinema.
About Victory Institute
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain equality through leadership development, trainings, research and convenings. We work around the globe to increase the number, expand the diversity, and ensure the success of out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.
