LGBTQ Victory Fund

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund was founded in 1991 as a non-partisan political action committee. It provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer candidates and officials across the United States running for all levels of government. Its partner organization, Victory Institute, offers programs and training to elected officials.{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Gay_%26_Lesbian_Victory_Fund|title=Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

To be considered for endorsement, candidates must identify as LGBTQ+, demonstrate community support and a realistic plan to win, demonstrate support of federal, state or local efforts to advance LGBTQ+ civil rights via the legislative or regulatory process, and demonstrate support of federal, state or local efforts to safeguard privacy and reproductive freedom. These requirements are less stringent for judicial endorsements.{{cite web|url=http://southfloridagaynews.com/Local/victory-fund-gearing-up-for-elections.html|title=Victory Fund Gearing Up For Elections|first=John|last=McDonald|website=southfloridagaynews.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund employs a tiered system of endorsements. The categories are:

"Game Changer," designating candidates who can become historic firsts and directly impact LGBTQ+ representation in the highest levels of government.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.hudsonvalley.com/fray/2018/07/27/lgbt-victory-fund-endorses-maloney-in-ag-dem-primary/|title=LGBT Victory Fund endorses Maloney in AG Dem primary|website=blogs.hudsonvalley.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

"Spotlight," designating candidates who can make history or increase LGBTQ+ representation in low-equality states or in states with few or no LGBTQ+ lawmakers.{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Victory-Fund-Endorses-36-More-LGBTQ-Candidates-for-2018/63838.html|title=Victory Fund Endorses 36 More LGBTQ Candidates for 2018 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive|website=Windy City Times|date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=April 28, 2019}}

Non-designated candidates are candidates who will increase the number of LGBTQ+ voices in government.

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute are led by a president-CEO and a team of staff based in Washington, D.C. The Fund also has a board of directors, composed of top leaders of government, politics, and business. Additionally, the Victory Campaign Board is elected to recruit and endorse candidates, as well as provide financial resources.{{cite web |url=https://victoryinstitute.org/about/board/ |title=Board of Directors |website=Victory Institute |access-date=April 11, 2021}}

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund was founded in 1991 by Vic Basile and William Waybourn, with Waybourn becoming its first executive director.{{cite book|last1=Rimmerman|first1=Craig A.|last2=Wald|first2=Kenneth D.|last3=Wilcox|first3=Clyde|title=The Politics of Gay Rights|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vMghaleR8RoC&pg=PA71|access-date=May 20, 2012|date=July 1, 2000|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226719986|pages=71–}} It provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender candidates and officials across the United States, helping them win elections at local, state and federal levels. Victory has helped elect several hundred out LGBTQ+ candidates to Congress, state legislatures, school boards and city councils. In addition, it works to help openly gay and lesbian officeholders develop professionally through its collaboration with the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials and co-sponsorship of the annual Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.nalp.org/lgbtq_organizations|title=NALP - National Association for Law Placement - LGBTQ Organizations|website=www.nalp.org|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

The group's founders, Dallas gay-rights activist William Waybourn and Human Rights Campaign Fund Executive Director Vic Basile, were inspired by the use of EMILY's List funds to power the 1990 election of former Governor of Texas Ann Richards. Waybourn and Basile planned an organization that would employ EMILY's List methodology—early money given sufficiently transforms "qualified candidates from 'fringe' status to 'front-runners'"—to propel gay and lesbian candidates to elected office.

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund endorses dozens of out LGBTQ+ candidates each year, increasing exposure to potential donors and providing both strategic and material support. Past endorsees include Tammy Baldwin,{{cite web |url=https://victoryfund.org/news/first-lgbtq-u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-wins-reelection-defeats-anti-lgbtq-opponent-in-key-senate-race/ |title=First LGBTQ U. S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Wins Reelection; Defeats Anti-LGBTQ Opponent in Key Senate Race |date=November 6, 2018 |website=Victory Fund |access-date=April 11, 2021}} Barney Frank,{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2018/04/12/victory-fund-crucial-electing-lgbtq-candidates/ |title=Victory Fund Crucial to Electing LGBTQ Candidates |last=Rosenstein |first=Peter |date=April 12, 2018 |website=Washington Blade |access-date=April 11, 2021}} Sean Patrick Maloney,{{cite web|url=https://victoryfund.org/our-candidates-2019/|title=Our Candidates|last=mthomas|website=LGBTQ Victory Fund|access-date=April 28, 2019}} David Cicilline,{{cite web |url=https://victoryfund.org/victory-fund-endorses-nine-congressional-candidates-wins-can-secure-pro-lgbtq-majority-house/ |title=Victory Fund Endourses Nine Congressional Candidates; Wins Can Secure Pro-LGBTQ Majority in House |last=Younker |first=Lauren |date=November 15, 2017 |website=Victory Fund |access-date=April 11, 2021}} Lupe Valdez,{{cite web |url=https://victoryfund.org/news/lupe-valdez-makes-history-with-texas-gubernatorial-primary-win-gina-ortiz-jones-takes-tx-23-democratic-nomination/ |title=Lupe Valdez Makes History With Texas Gubernatorial Primary Win; Gina Ortiz Jones Takes TX-23 Democratic Nomination |date=May 22, 2018 |website=Victory Fund |access-date=April 11, 2021}} Victoria Kolakowski,{{cite web |work=Bay Area Reporter |title=Transgender judge breaks barriers |date=November 11, 2010 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |url=http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=5228}} Patricia Todd{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2006/08/patricia-todd-wins-for-real-this-time/233687/ |title=Patricia Todd Wins - For Real This Time |date=August 26, 2006 |website=The Atlantic |access-date=April 11, 2021}} and Virginia Linder.{{cite web |url=https://www.glapn.org/6049VirginiaLinderProfile.html |title=Community Profile: Virginia Linder |last=Nicola |first=George T |date=March 27, 2017 |website=GLAPN Northwest LGBTQ History |access-date=April 11, 2021}} The first candidate the Victory Fund endorsed was Sherry Harris, who was elected to the City Council in Seattle, Washington, in 1991, making her the first openly lesbian African-American elected official.{{cite web|url=https://victoryfund.org/about/mission/|title=Our Mission|last=mthomas|website=LGBTQ Victory Fund|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

In 1995, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund was a principal organizer of a meeting between representatives of the Clinton administration and several dozen leaders of gay and lesbian organizations.New York Times: [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/14/us/clinton-names-first-liaison-to-gay-and-lesbian-groups.html David W. Dunlap, "Clinton Names First Liaison To Gay and Lesbian Groups", June 14, 1995], accessed Dec 9, 2009 This meeting followed on the heels of the Presidential Appointments Project, whose goal was getting openly gay people appointed to all levels of the Clinton administration (and subsequently, the Bush and Obama administrations).{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-thanks-victory-fund-ceo-president-he-announces-departure|title=GLAAD thanks Victory Fund CEO & President as he announces departure|date=September 12, 2014|website=GLAAD|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

In 1997, activist Brian Bond was hired as executive director of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund from his position as the director of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council at the Democratic National Committee from to rebuild the nearly-bankrupt organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/2009/01/08/brian-bond-be-tapped-deputy-director-obamas-public-liaison-office|title=Brian Bond to Be Tapped as Deputy Director of Obama's Public Liaison Office|date=January 8, 2009|website=www.advocate.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}} He is credited by Tammy Baldwin with helping grow the visibility and size of the organization.Brian Bond (activist)#cite note-eisenla-7{{Circular reference|date=March 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.queerty.com/brian-bond-to-be-obamas-deputy-public-policy-director-lgbt-point-person-20090108|title=Brian Bond to Be Obama's Deputy Director of Public Liaison, LGBT Point Person|first=Japhy|last=Grant|date=January 8, 2009|website=www.queerty.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}} He stepped down in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/07/08/bond-leaves-white-house-for-dnc/|title=Bond leaves White House for DNC|first1=Peter Rosenstein|last1=July 8|first2=2011 at 5:22 pm EDT at 5:22|last2=pm|date=July 8, 2011|website=washingtonblade.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

Former LGBTQ+ Victory Fund board member Chuck Wolfe was named executive director in 2003. Under his leadership, the organization's budgets grew exponentially{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=April 2019}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.stetson.edu/administration/trustees/wolfe.php|title=Charles A. Wolfe|website=www.stetson.edu|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

In 2008, 80 of the group's 111 endorsed candidates won their elections.{{cite web|work=PrideSource |title=Victory Fund reports gay candidates elected across U.S. |date=November 6, 2008 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |url=http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=32873 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235323/http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=32873 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}

In 2009, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund donated $40000 to the election of Annise Parker as mayor of Houston.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14houston.html |title=A Fallen Barrier, but Little Fanfare |last=McKinley |first=James C. |date=December 13, 2009 |website=New York Times |access-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128165705/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14houston.html |archive-date=January 28, 2015}} In electing an out lesbian as its chief executive, Houston became the largest city in the country to have elected an out gay person as mayor. Local gay groups, particularly the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, had nurtured Parker's political career and were openly supporting her race. Victory Fund became a huge player in the race by providing a much-needed source of cash for Parker's grassroots efforts and helping her stay financially competitive with her two chief rivals, both of whose campaigns were lavishly funded. After the campaign, Parker referred to Victory Fund as her "secret weapon" and thanked the organization for its help.{{cite web |url=https://www.glaad.org/2009/12/14/annise-parker-becomes-first-openly-lesbian-mayor-of-major-u-s-city-after-houston-win |title=Annise Parker Becomes First Openly Lesbian Mayor of Major U.S. City after Houston Win |last=Adam |first=Seth |date=December 14, 2009 |website=GLAAD |access-date=April 11, 2021}}

Chuck Wolfe stepped down as president of the organization at the end of 2014. In 2015, Aisha Moodie-Mills became the new president and CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, which made her the first woman, first person of color and first lesbian to become the head of the organization.{{cite web|last=Bendix |first=Trish |url=http://www.afterellen.com/tv/423309-morning-brew-gillian-anderson-would-date-a-woman-again |title=Morning Brew - Gillian Anderson would date a woman again |publisher=AfterEllen |date=2015-03-27 |access-date=April 17, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/leading-national-lgbt-organization-names-first-wom#.qa8wBvKrq |title=Leading National LGBT Organization Names First Woman, First Black President - BuzzFeed News |publisher=Buzzfeed.com |date=2013-07-24 |access-date=April 17, 2015}} In 2017, Moodie-Mills' departure was announced and the new president and CEO was named, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

In 2018, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute was renamed the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute to accurately reflect the environment in which it works.

In 2019, the Victory Fund announced it was endorsing Pete Buttigieg for president, which was its first presidential endorsement.[https://www.thedailybeast.com/nations-largest-lgbt-pac-endorses-mayor-pete-buttigieg Nation's Largest LGBT PAC Endorses Mayor Pete Buttigieg]. Thedailybeast.com (1970-01-01). Retrieved on 2019-06-30.

In 2022, Becca Balint won her primary{{Cite web |title=Live Vermont House Election Results 2022 – NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-primary-elections/vermont-house-results |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=www.nbcnews.com}} in part with $1 million from the Victory Fund, "putting her [https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/09/politics/becca-balint-democratic-primary-vermont-house-seat/index.html on a path] to become" Vermont's first Congresswoman.{{Cite web |author=Gregory Krieg |title=Becca Balint will win the Democratic nomination for Vermont's House seat, CNN projects |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/09/politics/becca-balint-democratic-primary-vermont-house-seat/index.html |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=CNN|date=August 10, 2022 }} After the primaries, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund made 16 endorsements in congressional elections to expand LGBTQ+ representation in Congress by eight seats or approximately six million people.{{Cite web |last=DeSilver |first=Drew |title=U.S. population keeps growing, but House of Representatives is same size as in Taft era |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/31/u-s-population-keeps-growing-but-house-of-representatives-is-same-size-as-in-taft-era/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=Pew Research Center |date=May 31, 2018 |language=en-US}}

On March 3, 2023, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund announced the addition of the "plus" in their name to be formally known as LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.

On March 4, 2025, the Victory Fund announced that former California State Assemblymember Evan Low would be its next president and CEO, succeeding Parker.{{cite web|url=https://victoryfund.org/news/lgbtq-victory-fund-and-lgbtq-victory-institute-announce-evan-low-as-new-president-and-chief-executive-officer/|title=LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Announce Evan Low as New President and Chief Executive Officer|date=March 4, 2025|access-date=April 4, 2025}}

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, the non-profit sibling organization of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Its most prominent is the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference hosted annually between November and December, bringing LGBTQ+ elected officials from around the world for a weekend of panels, speakers, and receptions. This conference grew out of a joint conference in 2004 with the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials (INLGO). LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and NLGO merged in 2005.{{cite web |last1=Rosenstein |first1=Peter |date=December 9, 2017 |title=International LGBTQ Leaders Conference a rousing success |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/international-lgbtq-leaders-conference-a-rousing-success_b_5a2c2589e4b04e0bc8f3b507 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=HuffPost}}

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund also hosts a number of champagne brunches and receptions around the United States, in cities such as Chicago, Kansas City, and San Diego. The events bring together local LGBTQ+ elected officials and supporters and serve as fundraising for the organization.{{cite web|url=http://houston.culturemap.com/eventdetail/victory-fund-champagne-brunch/|title=Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund's Champagne Brunch|website=CultureMap Houston|date=March 24, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2019}}

Other events include various pride receptions celebrating LGBTQ+ Capitol Hill staffers and LGBTQ+ political appointees.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lgbtcsa.org/victory2015 |title=Victory Fund and Institute Pride Reception |last=Sloves |first=Todd |access-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915002002/https://www.lgbtcsa.org/victory2015 |archive-date=September 15, 2018}}

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute hosts events of its own as well as stewards several fellowship and internship programs. Events include LGBTQ+ Leadership Summits, which are day-long intensive trainings for LGBTQ+ leaders, and Candidate and Campaign Trainings, which are weekend-long crash courses on how to run for office. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute also hosts international trainings, and has received funding from USAID.

The Victory Congressional Internship program brings LGBTQ+ college students to Washington, D.C. for an intensive leadership program, and includes a semester-long internship with an LGBTQ-friendly member of Congress. Participants also attend the International LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference.

The David Bohnett Victory Congressional Fellowship brings an emerging LGBTQ+ leader to Washington, D.C. for a year-long intensive fellowship that supports the executive director of the LGBTQ+ Congressional Equality Caucus. It also includes a generous stipend and access to the International LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference.

The Victory Empowerment Fellowship was implemented by Aisha Moodie-Mills and helps emerging LGBTQ+ leaders of color and transgender leaders expand their campaign skills and policy-making power through a year-long membership and access to a Candidate Campaign Training and the International LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference.

The Bohnett Leaders Fellowship brings senior-level executives working with state and local governments, including government officials and elected officeholders, to a three-week intensive Executive Education program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts.{{cite web|url=http://thecentralvoice.com/stories/is-an-internship-for-you,1242|title=Is an internship for you?|website=The Central Voice|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

The Political Appointments Program works with LGBTQ+ leaders and pro-equality presidential administrations to ensure qualified LGBTQ+ representation in all agencies and levels.

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has attracted controversy from LGBT Republican politicians, such as Richard Grenell, the first openly gay person in the United States to hold a cabinet-level position{{cite web|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2020/07/gay-former-trump-appointee-richard-grenell-unleashes-tweet-storm-attacking-lgbtq-victory-fund-and-joe-biden/|website=Metro Weekly|author=John Riley|title=Gay former Trump appointee Richard Grenell unleashses tweetstorm attacking Joe Biden|date=July 22, 2020 }} who leveled criticism at their alleged bias against LGBT Republicans.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-fake-mission-of-the-lgbtq-victory-fund|title=The fake mission of the LGBTQ Victory Fund|author=Brad Polumbo|website=Washington Examiner|date=July 25, 2020 }} The LGBTQ Victory fund donated over 100,000 dollars to candidates in the 2020 election cycle, and over $90,000 in the 2018 election cycle, with none of that money going to Republican candidates.{{cite web |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs//C00476978/summary/2018 |website=OpenSecrets |title=LGBTQ Victory Fund donations, OpenSecrets}}

The organization's abortion stance has also come under scrutiny. Robert Turner, head of the D.C. Chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans wrote an op-ed for the Washington Blade criticizing the then-Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund's pro-choice litmus test as harmful to its goal of electing LGBT candidates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/03/31/no-pro-choice-litmus-test-for-victory-fund/|title=No pro-choice litmus test for Victory Fund|author=Robert Turner|date=March 31, 2011 }} The Victory Fund, however, has said that its vision of the "Right to Privacy" can be as conservative as supporting abortion only in cases of rape and incest.{{cite web|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2020/07/path-to-victory-annise-parker-on-helping-elect-lgbtq-people-across-america/|website=Metro Weekly|author=John Riley|quote="Candidates have to believe in some level of a right to privacy, which includes the right to abortion. Some of our candidates only believe in it after rape and incest, all the way to others who support the full Planned Parenthood position."|title=Path to Victory: Annise Parker on helping elect LGBTQ people across America|date=July 20, 2020 }}

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund refused to endorse Carl DeMaio, a gay Republican who ran for the House of Representatives in California.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/10/14/356177208/gay-republican-house-candidate-demaio-hasnt-won-fans-in-lgbt-community|title=Gay Republican House Candidate Hasn't Won Fans In LGBT Community|website=NPR}} DeMaio also claims that the Victory Fund gave campaign documents of his, given as part of the Victory Fund's endorsement process, to his opponent.{{cite tweet |last=DeMaio |first=Carl |author-link=Carl DeMaio |user=carldemaio |number=1285237279724695552 |date=July 20, 2020 |title=.@AnniseParker Stop lying - Victory Fund claims to be non-partisan, but it is hyper-partisan in all its actions. In '14 you hosted my gay-baiting Democrat opponent at an event you organized in my district. You worked against the gay candidate in a top-tier race. #TrueColors https://t.co/U2uZ8uXib4 |language=en |access-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112033910/https://twitter.com/carldemaio/status/1285237279724695552 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |url-status=live}}

Additionally, Victory Fund has rejected the prospect of endorsing Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman running in the California gubernatorial race, citing her positions on transgender minors and athletes.{{cite web|url=https://baltimoreoutloud.com/wp/the-lgbtq-victory-fund-wont-endorse-caitlyn-jenner/|author=Jim Becker|website = Baltimore OutLoud|title=The LGBTQ Victory Fund won't endorse Caitlyn Jenner}}

In the 2022 United States House of Representatives election in New York's third congressional district, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Human Rights Campaign endorsed Democrat Robert Zimmerman over Republican nominee George Santos, in the first congressional race where both candidates were openly gay.{{cite web |url=https://gaycitynews.com/in-first-gay-congressional-race-the-candidates-are-just-very-different/ |website=Gay City News |title=In first gay v. gay Congressional race, the candidates are "just very different," Gay City News|date=September 23, 2022 }}

• ProudPolitics, a similar group in Canada

{{Reflist}}

• New York Times: {{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/06/us/1994-campaign-homosexuality-struggle-over-gay-rights-moves-statewide-level.html|first=David W.|last=Dunlap|title=The 1994 Campaign: Homosexuality|newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 6, 1994|access-date=December 9, 2009|quote=Some 130 candidates nationwide requested financial help from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a political-action committee, said its executive director, William W. Waybourn. The fund has supported 27 candidates this year, he said, almost twice as many as in 1993.}}
• New York Times: [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/25/us/as-gay-marchers-gather-mood-is-serious-and-festive.html Jeffrey Schmalz, "As Gay Marchers Gather, Mood Is Serious and Festive," April 25, 1993], accessed Dec. 9, 2009. "At a celebration lunch sponsored by the Victory Fund, half a dozen appointed and elected officials who had not previously been known to be gay made an appearance."

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.victoryfund.org/}}

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Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in the United States

Category:United States political action committees

Category:527 organizations

Category:LGBTQ in Washington, D.C.

Category:1991 establishments in the United States