LGBTQ Victory Institute calls for an LGBTQ Senate-approved cabinet member, Supreme Court justice, and equitable representation in presidential appointments
Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Institute launched its Presidential Appointments Initiative and announced four bold and history-making goals for the next administration as it considers its presidential appointments. A coalition of 31 organizations will support the effort, putting forward exemplary LGBTQ candidates for positions throughout the next administration and advocating for their consideration. The coalition aims to make the presidential appointees the most diverse in history.
As part of the Initiative, LGBTQ Victory Institute is calling on the next administration to:
- Appoint a Senate-confirmed openly LGBTQ Cabinet member for the first time;
- Nominate an openly LGBTQ U.S. Supreme Court justice for the first time;
- Appoint openly LGBTQ woman ambassadors, LGBTQ ambassadors of color, and transgender ambassadors for the first time; and
- Ensure openly LGBTQ people receive equitable representation among presidential appointees and that they reflect the full diversity of the LGBTQ community.
“Presidential appointees have tremendous influence over the policies and direction of federal agencies and the executive branch, so it is essential LGBTQ people are included both in high-level positions and throughout the next administration,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute. “There is an LGBTQ person qualified to fill nearly every position in the next administration and this coalition is determined to help them navigate a complex appointments process to ensure we are well represented.”
With more than 4,100 appointees, at least 185 LGBTQ people must be serving at any given time to maintain a representation level equal to that of LGBTQ people in the U.S. population. The coalition also aims to make the LGBTQ appointees the most diverse ever – ensuring that LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ women and transgender and non-binary people are well represented.
“Our appointments objectives are bold, but reasonable,” Mayor Parker continued. “The transformation in America’s electoral politics – with LGBTQ people being elected up and down the ballot – should be reflected in the next administration’s appointments process as well. America is ready for its first Senate-approved Cabinet member, first U.S. Supreme Court justice, and ambassadors that reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community. And we stand ready to support the next administration in appointing them.”
The Presidential Appointments Initiative – first launched by Victory Institute during President Bill Clinton’s administration – achieved unprecedented success under President Barack Obama, who appointed approximately 330 LGBTQ people, the most in history. Of those, 158 were assisted by the Presidential Appointments Initiative. It coordinated with the transition team, developed relationships with key officials and built a reputation for putting forward qualified candidates that excelled once appointed.
LGBTQ people interested in a presidential appointment in the next administration can learn more about the Presidential Appointments Initiative and share their resumes at victoryinstitute.org/PAI.
A complete list of the coalition partners led by LGBTQ Victory Institute is included below:
A Wider Bridge
AARP
AIDS United
Anti-Violence Project
Center for American Progress
Center for Black Equity
Council for Global Equality
Equality Federation
Family Equality Council
Gill Foundation
GLAAD
Human Rights Campaign
Lambda Legal
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Center for Transgender Equality
National LGBT Bar Association
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
National LGBTQ Task Force
National Minority AIDS Council
NOGLSTP
Out & Equal
Out in National Security
OutServe-SLDN
PFLAG
Pride at Work
Raben Group
SAGE
Transgender Law Center
Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
About LGBTQ Victory Institute
Victory Institute works to increase the number of LGBTQ people in public office and provides programming, services, and other support to ensure their success.
