Last week LGBTQ Victory Institute, an organization dedicated to putting LGBTQ people in office, and 10 partner organizations announced the first National Out to Win Day will be held on Tuesday, April 2. Its goal is to get 22,272 LGBTQ people pledging to consider a run for office. The day aims to raise awareness about the severe underrepresentation of LGBTQ people in elected office and encourage people to take the pledge or nominate LGBTQ people who should consider running. The center reports that LGBTQ people are 4.5 percent of the U.S. population but make up just 0.1 percent of elected officials nationwide. America must elect 22,272 more LGBTQ people to office to achieve equitable representation.
Individuals can pledge to run for office or nominate others in advance of National Out to Win Day by visiting outtowin.org. In addition to pledges and nominations on April 2, LGBTQ elected officials across the nation will wear rainbow colors to raise the visibility of out officials. Those who pledge to consider a run or accept the nomination will receive a week's worth of videos from LGBTQ elected officials, resources from campaign experts and other information intended to inspire them and make running for office more accessible.
"LGBTQ people, much like women and people of color, need to be asked more times to run for office than white straight cisgender men before they give it serious consideration," said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute. "National Out to Win Day aims to address that problem by demystifying the process for those considering a run and encouraging people to ask qualified LGBTQ friends and colleagues to give running for office some thought. We need to be asked more times – and we hope for many LGBTQ people their first ask comes on April 2."
April 2 was chosen for National Out to Win Day because of Kathy Kozachenko's election to the Ann Arbor, Michigan, city council on that day in 1974, becoming the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to public office. More information about the day can be found at outtowin.org.
TAGLINE Partner organizations for National Out to Win Day as of March 6 include: ActionLink Center Action Network, Equality Federation, Equality Ohio, Free State Justice, Montana Human Rights Network, National Black Justice Coalition, National LGBTQ Task Force, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, One Colorado and Run for Something. LGBTQ or allied organizations interested in joining National Out to Win Day can contact Reggie Greer at [email protected] or 202-545-7384.
Victory Institute Announces National Out to Win Day on April 2;
Aims to Interest 22,272 LGBTQ People in Running for Office
Read More
Michigan's Trans Migration Project Is Helping to Protect Trans People Just By Getting Them Somewhere Safe
A faith-based collective of partners across Michigan is shepherding out-of-state trans people to Michigan for the gender-affirming care and affirmation they [...]
Go Girl! Saugatuck Celebrates Women’s Weekend at Nation’s Largest Gay Resort
Women hearing the siren call of Lake Michigan may want to mark May 31-June 2 on their calendars. Those are the days that the largest gay resort in the country [...]
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
