2026 is a critical year for building LGBTQ+ representation. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is ready to support potential, new, and incumbent candidates with events designed to provide the hard skills to run for office. Join us for virtual and in-person events this winter to learn more about what it takes to run a campaign for public office.
Participant speaks at the 2025 Candidate and Campaign Training session.
“With so much political volatility across the country and the world, leaders from so many communities are looking for ways to channel their energy into action,” said Itay Balely, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s Director of Training, who coordinates and facilitates these convenings. “Our programs are designed not just to talk about change, but learn how to drive and achieve it.”
Public Leadership Summits build local LGBTQ+ political engagement
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Public Leadership Summits are free-to-attend events held in cities nationwide for those interested in discussions about elevating the community’s LGBTQ+ electoral power by beginning or advancing a career in public service. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute will host two Public Leadership Summits this winter: Minneapolis, MN, on February 21, 2026, and Seattle, WA, on February 28, 2026.
If you aren’t in either of those cities, join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for a virtual Time2Run webinar session. The organization holds these events throughout the year to provide tools to assess preparation to run for office and support in elevating campaign strategy. The next session will be held on February 11.
Candidate and Campaign Trainings build critical skills to run for office
For those who are ready to take the next step and get core training and support for their next run, apply for our Candidate and Campaign Training. This 4-day application-based experience is a bootcamp to equip you with the critical skills for running for office, delivered in a learning lab format.
“We work with local partner organizations during our time on the ground to uplift the incredible local LGBTQ+ leaders who are the front line of fighting back. I can say with certainty that these programs have and continue to change the trajectory of our attendees’ community engagement – and they are a must for those thinking about a run for office anytime in the near future,” said Balely.
Apply now for one of our 2026 Candidate and Campaign training events in Philadelphia from April 23-26 and in Denver from July 9-12. The April training also features the second iteration of the Trans Training Extension for transgender and gender-diverse leaders, and the July training introduces a new Women Training Extension for LGBTQ+ women candidates, both for two additional days following their respective bootcamps.
“As challenging as times may be, Victory is looking for LGBTQ+ leaders to invest in,” says Balely. “This is a long-term sustainable vision of a brighter future, and it starts with leaders stepping up and showing up at these events.”
Applications for both Candidate and Campaign Training programs are open now and will close on Wednesday, March 4, at 11:59 pm PT. For more information, register for the next Candidate and Campaign Training information session on February 18, 2026, at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. Click here to register for the information session.
For more information on our training programs, reach out to our training department.
