WASHINGTON–LGBTQ+ Victory Institute congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for achieving the most LGBTQ+ inclusive administration in U.S. history, expressing gratitude for their service and dedication to supporting our shared mission of achieving equitable representation for LGBTQ+ people.
“Over the last four years we have seen the true impact of having equitable representation at the federal level – more inclusive policies and programs, a recognition of our presence and a respect for our ability to serve proudly for the people of our nation,” said LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President & CEO Annise Parker. “President Biden and Vice President Harris must be celebrated for their work to build a government that truly reflects the diversity of our nation, and we are thankful that we could partner with them on this historic effort.”
The Biden-Harris administration recorded at least 14-15% LGBTQ+ appointees according to tracking from LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and the White House, more than any other administration in U.S. history. The administration added more LGBTQ+ judges and ambassadors than previous administrations, and the Senate confirmed 43 LGBTQ+ people to serve.
LGBTQ+ appointments in the Biden administration:
- 12 federal judiciary positions
- 13 ambassador-level posts
- 43 senate-confirmed positions
- multiple high-level leadership and spokesperson roles across agencies
Several firsts were among this historic group of appointees, including:
- Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, the first Senate-confirmed out LGBTQ+ cabinet appointee;
- Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health, the first transgender Senate-confirmed appointee and transgender four-star general;
- Chantale Wong, U.S. Director to the Asian Development Bank, the first out LGBTQ+ woman and person of color at the ambassador level;
- Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black person and first out LGBTQ+ person to serve as press secretary;
- Roger Nyhus, Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the first Native American LGBTQ+ ambassador;
- Shawn Skelly, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, the highest-ranking out trans defense official in U.S. history.
Background
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is the home of the David Mixner Political Appointments Program, which has worked to increase LGBTQ+ political representation in presidential appointments since the Clinton Administration. The coalition of 30+ organizations has worked to identify top talent nationwide to serve within presidential administrations across all departments.
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LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
Through leadership development, trainings and convenings, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain global equality by increasing the number, expanding the diversity of and ensuring the success of out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.
