LGBTQ Victory Institute – the only organization dedicated to identifying and supporting LGBTQ public leaders – added dozens of LGBTQ political milestones to its Pride & Progress website in honor of LGBTQ History Month.
The website, which now includes more than 186 key moments in LGBTQ political representation, allows visitors to explore seven decades of history – from José Sarria's run as the first out LGBTQ candidate in 1961 to Pete Buttigieg's confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Transportation earlier this year. Victory Institute will also share important stories from LGBTQ political history on its social media platforms throughout October.
The Pride & Progress website is available at prideandprogress.org.
Among the new stories added are first out trans White House staffer, Raffi Freedman-Gurspan; the first out lesbian delegate to the Democratic National Convention, Madeline Dean; Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns's viral “It Gets Better" speech and much more.
“LGBTQ History Month is an opportunity to honor our political history and the contributions of those who served with courage to advance equality," said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute. “Our ever-expanding Pride & Progress archive tells the story of a revolution in American politics – from just a handful of elected officials anywhere in the nation to a rainbow wave of candidates elected at every level of government. And while it demonstrates enormous progress, it also reveals the milestones yet to be reached and the lavender ceilings left to be shattered. We hope this resource allows our community to celebrate LGBTQ History Month by honoring our past and inspiring the leaders of the future."
About Victory Institute
LGBTQ Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain global equality through leadership development, training, and convening to increase the number, expand the diversity, and ensure the success of openly LGBTQ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.