The latest: When We Run (read it here)

When We Run shows us what we know is true of LGBTQ+ candidates... [LGBTQ+ Victory Institute logo]( [CONGRATULATIONS, Ashanti is now on track to become the first out gay Afro-Latino man to represent Prince George’s County in the legislature!]( Friend, I'm so excited to share that today, [Victory Institute and Loyola Marymount University released When We Run]( the largest ever survey of LGBTQ+ candidates for public office in the U.S. This groundbreaking survey asked LGBTQ+ candidates to describe their motivations for running, the challenges they faced and how their identities affected their campaigns. [Read the full report here!]( You can also read [Victory Institute President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker's op-ed in USA Today here]( or [watch our launch video here]( [Video screenshot]( While the landscape for LGBTQ+ candidates is dramatically changed and more LGBTQ+ people are running than ever before, they are doing so in a super-charged political environment where LGBTQ+ people are frequent targets of hateful legislation and political attacks. Results include: - Almost half of LGBTQ+ candidates said a desire to increase LGBTQ+ representation in elected office was a top motivation (45.8%). - Trans women (14.3%) and gender non-conforming, genderqueer and non-binary candidates (10.3%) were the most likely to cite anti-LGBTQ legislation as a top motivation to run. - About a third of LGBTQ+ candidates (35.9%) were discouraged to run because of their sexual orientation, while almost one in five was discouraged because of their gender identity (17.5%). - LGBTQ+ candidates of color – and especially Asian LGBTQ+ candidates (52.4%) – said their race or ethnicity was important or very important for them in their campaigns. - More than eight in 10 LGBTQ+ candidates (84%) thought being LGBTQ+ made them a better candidate – with nearly three in five (59.5%) believing they were more empathetic toward the struggles of others because of their identity. - More than one in four LGBTQ+ candidates reported prejudice because of their sexual orientation as a top challenge during their campaigns (26.4%). - About one in three of all LGBTQ+ candidates felt their local political party was not supportive at all of their candidacy (37.1%). Whether they’re running to fight bigotry or simply to serve their community, LGBTQ+ candidates are the best antidote against the homophobia and transphobia that’s increasingly present in the public square. [When We Run shows us what we know is true of LGBTQ+ candidates: they remain highly motivated to run and improve their communities despite ongoing obstacles](. Voters are increasingly demanding a government more reflective of America, and LGBTQ+ leaders are stepping up to meet the challenge. [If you can pitch in to support this work and our LGBTQ+ elected officials, we appreciate it!]( If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: [Express Donate: $5]( [Express Donate: $15]( [Express Donate: $35]( [Or, donate another amount]( Thanks for reading, Elliot Imse Pronouns: he|him|his Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute [DONATE]( LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a global organization dedicated to elevating out LGBTQ+ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our [global]( and [domestic]( trainings, [professional development programs]( and [yearly conferences]( Victory Institute prepares hundreds of out individuals to launch an influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy. Many of our trainees join the more than [1,000 out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials]( now serving around the world. [You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today!]( [DONATE TODAY]( [DONATE MONTHLY]( FOLLOW ALONG: [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute 1225 I Street NW, Suite 525 Washington, DC 20005 United States This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Don't unsubscribe just yet — you can change how many & what type of emails you receive [by updating your account here](. Unsubscribing will remove you from ALL Victory Institute email contact. If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive ANY email from us, please [unsubscribe](.