Subscribe to our channel!!!
Category: News and Politics

Click here to subscribe to the Victory Fund's Film Channel!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&channelid=135618637

Watch the heartwarming stories of LGBT elected officials changing the face and voice of America's politics.

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Openly Bisexual Man Elected to New York State Assembly
Category: News and Politics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

more information, visit www.victoryfund.org.

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Oakley Advances in Dallas Mayoral Race!
Current mood: excited

Oakley advances in Dallas mayoral race

Councilman Ed Oakley is a step closer to becoming the nation's first openly gay mayor of one of the largest U.S. cities after Saturday's election in Dallas.  The three-term city councilman beat nine other opponents and will face Republican business executive Tom Leppert in a runoff election on June 16th.

Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe said the strong showing means Oakley can win this historic election.

"This is an historic election that could change American politics.  If Ed wins the runoff and is elected mayor, the message to the political establishment will be crystal clear:  'American voters embrace fairness.  You should too.'  We could not be more proud of Ed and our national donor network that has stood with him," said Wolfe.

Go here to help Ed make history in the June runoff election.

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Click to Listen!

Victory is pleased to announce BREAKthrough, The Victory Fund podcast:

The bi-weekly podcast will feature discussions between openly LGBT candidates and public officials and celebrity actors who have played gay roles in their careers. The first episode, available at VictoryFund.org today, features a discussion between legendary actor Martin Sheen and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Sheen is best known for his portrayal of beloved fictional U.S. president Jed Bartlett on the award-winning television series "The West Wing." Quinn is widely considered the second most powerful elected official in New York City behind Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and was recently named to OUT magazine's "Power 50" list.

"BREAKthrough" is featured on and hosted by PodShow.com, and can be downloaded for free at the iTunes Music Store.

Click to listen!

http://media.podshow.com/media/10481/episodes/58563/breakthroughpodcast-58563-04-26-2007_pshow_67048.mp3

(please note, this takes a little bit to load and can be quite loud, so make sure your speakers have a low volume).

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New Website! www.victoryfund.org
Category: Web, HTML, Tech

Victory Launches New Online Homes for Gay Politics, LGBT Leadership

..BSHSTARTBODY-->WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 26, 2007 -- The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute announced today the launch of three new Web sites aimed at promoting and tracking the involvement of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders in politics, government and community affairs. The organizations' president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, called the sites "the online home for LGBT leadership," adding that their launch marked a turning point in the importance of gay politics in the overall LGBT rights movement.

"We no longer have to sit on the sidelines and hope our straight allies do the right thing. LGBT leaders can be the change we are seeking, just like the more than 450 openly LGBT elected and appointed officials who now serve courageously at all levels of government. With the launch of these new sites, our community now has state-of-the-art resources to learn about the accomplishments of out leaders and to participate in the campaigns of those who are stepping up to lead. And out leaders themselves have a new destination for building their skills and developing their careers," Wolfe said.

VictoryFund.org is a news portal and a tool for tracking and donating to openly LGBT political candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund. New maps make it easier for visitors to locate, learn about and contribute to LGBT candidates across the country.

GLLI.org, the online home of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, is a resource for LGBT leaders interested in taking part in the many training and professional development programs offered by the Institute. It is also the home of the growing worldwide list of openly LGBT elected and appointed officials, and includes an easy flash map to assist visitors in finding out officials.

GayPolitics.com is the new blog of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Victory staff will update this resource daily with news and insight about LGBT leadership, link to interesting posts on other blogs and host commentary by LGBT elected and appointed leaders.

The Victory Fund also announced the launch of "BREAKthrough: The Victory Podcast." The bi-weekly podcast will feature discussions between openly LGBT candidates and public officials and celebrity actors who have played gay roles in their careers. The first episode, available at VictoryFund.org today, features a discussion between legendary actor Martin Sheen and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Sheen is best known for his portrayal of beloved fictional U.S. president Jed Bartlett on the award-winning television series "The West Wing." Quinn is widely considered the second most powerful elected official in New York City behind Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and was recently named to OUT magazine's "Power 50" list.

"BREAKthrough" is featured on and hosted by PodShow.com, and can be downloaded for free at the iTunes Music Store.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute work to expand LGBT leadership by supporting and training those on the front lines in the fight for equality. They are the only national organizations dedicated to building the skills, networks and careers of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders in government, politics and community organizations.

Contact:
Denis Dison
202-842-7308

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Out Running to Premiere at the FilmOut Festival in San Diego!
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

In 2006, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute commissioned student filmmakers to create documentaries about openly LGBT elected officials.  Out Running: Stories from the Campaign Trail shares the profiles of three elected openly LGBT officials changing the face and voice of ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />America's politics.  The stories of Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Virginia Linder, and Iowa State Senator Matt McCoy exemplify the rising presence of openly LGBT people in public office...:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Victory is pleased to announce that our film, Out Running: Stories From the Campaign Trail, will premiere at the FilmOut San Diego Film Festival on April 20, 2007.

Please visit www.victoryfund.org for more information, or www.filmoutsandiego.com for event information and tickets to the show!

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Anti-gay bigot Phelps threatens Victory endorsee

..> ..>

"Do you have any thoughts on whether we should come and picket you as a soul-damning, nation-destroying, filthy, feces-eating sodomite who preys on little children in your project work?" -Email to James Cappleman, candidate for Chicago's Board of Alderman, from Timothy Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church. Victory has dealt with the Phelps bunch before.  In 2005, the hate group picketed the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference in Seattle, Washington.  Now they're attacking one of our early candidates this year.  James Cappleman, who's running for a seat on the Chicago Board of Alderman, received an email from a Phelps family member this week threatening to bring the group's virulent brand of hatred to the streets of Chicago in protest of his candidacy. If you think about it, this makes sense.  What's more harmful to the cause of anti-gay bigots than having entire communities vote for an openly gay candidate to represent them and their families?  You can help elect James by giving to his campaign here.

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Philadelphia Candidate & Campaign Training!

The Leadership Institute's Candidate & Campaign Trainings provide comprehensive, nonpartisan training to present and future openly LGBT candidates, campaign personnel, and community leaders. The trainings provide attendees with the intellectual and technical skills required for success through practical training from proven campaign professionals. Participants are empowered by the acquisition of skills that make them viable players in the political life of their communities.

ABOUT THE TRAININGS

Format

The trainings are conducted in various cities across the country. They provide four days of intensive instruction, skills building and technical education from seasoned political professionals. For each training, we conduct an extensive outreach effort to seek out talented, ethical and capable individuals with great potential for serving in public life.

Curriculum

The trainings teach that a political campaign is a complex undertaking, which requires discipline, talent and expertise. A successful political campaign is achieved by applying skills and knowledge, not luck. The curriculum addresses three primary themes:

Fundraising

• Developing a prospect list
• Utilizing multiple funding mechanisms
• Creating a reliable donor base

Message

• Running as an out candidate without becoming a single-issue candidate
• Crafting & communicating a consistent message
• Managing the press for positive results

Planning & Strategy

• Evaluating candidate viability
• Creating a campaign plan
• Crafting a realistic budget
• Maximization of time and resources
• Campaign management

2007 TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Philadelphia, PA - February 22-25 - $350
Chicago, IL - June 7-10 - $350
Portland, OR - September 13-16 - $350

Institute Alumni

Alumni are active in public life as public officials, candidates, campaign managers and staff, and as leaders in the struggle for LGBT equal rights. Alumni include former Atlanta City Council president Cathy Woolard; Washington State Rep. Ed Murray; Elizabeth Birch, former executive director of the Human Rights Campaign; California State Sen. Sheila Kuehl; North Carolina State Senator Julia Boseman; and Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez.

Alumni comments:
"The Training was a great combination of primer and in-depth education."

"The presenters were very experienced and gave us comprehensive information about planning and running a successful campaign."

"I walked away with an understanding that I could definitely do political campaigning and run for office."

"The staff were very energetic and offered consistent encouragement. The presenters were excellent; they really augmented a recent training I completed with the GA Democratic Party. I especially appreciated the field and fundraising sessions."

For more information contact Brett Johnson - 202.842.7304

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Victory Fund Endorses Dallas Mayoral Candidate, Six Others
Category: News and Politics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victory Fund endorses Dallas mayoral candidate

Endorsement of Ed Oakley, six others kicks off 2007 political season

Washington DC – January 23, 2007 – The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced it has endorsed Ed Oakley, a Democrat, in his race to become the next mayor of Dallas, Texas.  The three-term Dallas City Councilman would become the first openly gay mayor of one of the largest U.S. cities, in a race that could cost more than $2 million.  The election will be held May 12, with a likely runoff set for June 9 featuring the top two vote-getters. 

Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe said Oakley's endorsement is a milestone for the group and for the entire LGBT community; "Ed embodies the courage and commitment we all want in our public officials, and that shows in the strong support he is getting from both Republicans and Democrats.  It's an enormous achievement that an openly gay man is a serious contender to be elected mayor in one of America's 10 biggest cities.  We are especially proud of this endorsement."

Oakley has stressed that his campaign will be broad-based, reaching out to all parts of the city and all constituencies.  "We're going to the voters by knocking on as many doors in Dallas as possible.  I want to earn their respect and vote based on my ability to lead our city," Oakley said. 

 "Ed may be a Democrat, but he will have a lot of Conservative Republicans like me supporting him because he does what is right," said Bill Blaydes, Oakley's colleague on the City Council, in a statement issued in December.

Oakley received Victory's endorsement in his 2001 and 2003 council races as part of the Victory Fund's efforts to build a team of qualified openly LGBT elected officials whose experience will enable them to seek higher office.  Other Victory endorsees have fared well in recent area elections.  Dallas County Sherriff Lupe Valdez was elected in 2005, becoming the first woman, first Latina and first open lesbian to hold that post.  In 2006, endorsee Gary Fitzsimmons was elected Dallas County District Clerk.

Eighteen openly gay mayors currently serve in the U.S., including the mayors of Providence, R.I., North Miami Beach, Fla., Palm Springs, Calif., and Cambridge, Mass. 

Six other candidates also received endorsements in races across the country:

• Councilwoman Elena Guajardo, who is running for reelection to the San Antonio, Texas, City Council
• Jeff Dion, who is running for a seat on the Prince William County, Va., Board of Supervisors
• Dan Anders, who is running for a seat on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas
• Steve Howard, in his race to become mayor of Rutland, Vt.
• James Cappleman, who is running for a seat on the Board of Alderman in Chicago, Ill.
• Councilman John Heilman, who is running for reelection to the West Hollywood, Calif., City Council

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund's endorsement brings the attention of a national network of donors committed to increasing the number of openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender public officials at federal, state and local levels of government.  The group provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and officials. Victory is the nation's largest LGBT political action committee and one of the nation's largest non-connected PACs.  In 16 years, Victory has helped the number of openly LGBT officials grow from 49 to more than 350.

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Victory Fund Makes First Endorsements of 2007

Victory makes first 2007 endorsements James Cappleman brings years of experience in social and advocacy work to his campaign for Alderman representing the 46th Ward in Chicago.  He's actively involved in Chicago's Uptown community, where he serves as chair of the HIV/AIDS Network for the Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and where was instrumental in starting a homeless shelter in his community for people living with AIDS.  With an election coming up on February 27, James needs your help today!  Please read more about James here. Jeffrey Dion is a candidate for Prince William County Board of Supervisors in Virginia.  Dion serves as an attorney and victim's advocate for the National Organization of Victims of Crime in Washington, DC.  As a daily commuter between Virginia and D.C., Dion sees the problems and congestion caused by extensive development and has refused to take campaign contributions from developers.  The special election for this race will be on January 30, 2007, so your generous contribution today will see results very quickly.  Go here to learn more about this campaign. To learn more about Victory fund, please visit our website at www.victoryfund.org!

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