Around 500 LGBTQ+ political champions gathered at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston on Sunday to share stories of hope, power and resilience at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s annual Houston Champagne Brunch. The first signature fundraising event of the year also served as a debut of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s new president & CEO, Evan Low.
New LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Evan Low speaks to around 500 at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s Houston Champagne Brunch. Photo by Charlie Horse Photos
“We will be out, we will be proud, and we will serve in public office to show America the best of what our LGBTQ+ community has to offer,” said Low. “Our Victory Fund is leading the charge in this fight- endorsing and supporting openly LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials across the country.”
The afternoon brunch rallied LGBTQ+ elected leaders from across Texas, allies and supporters to answer the call to help build more LGBTQ+ power in an increasingly anti-LGBTQ+ political climate.
Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo started the speaking program at the brunch event, which local drag personality Queen Persephone hosted.
Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo shares his Victory Fund experience at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Houston Champagne Brunch on March 30. Photo by Charlie Horse Photos
“I see every day what’s possible when diversity is embraced- not as a talking point but as a strength,” said Council Member Castillo. “And, now more than ever, as pride is under pressure, we need champions who won’t back down- who are bold, unafraid, and grounded in justice.”
Texas State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons spoke of the anti-trans vitriol that made headlines during her campaign and the impact of Victory Fund in helping her unseat an anti-LGBTQ+ democrat to get elected.
Texas State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons talks about the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in her campaign at the Houston Champagne Brunch on March 30. Photo by Charlie Horse Photos.
“When you’re in the trenches, Victory Fund will fight right beside you,” said Rep. Simmons. “LGBTQ+ Victory Fund stood by me every step of the way, helping to raise money and organize groups across the state to fight back.”
U.S. Congresswoman Rep. Julie Johnson spoke passionately about the threats our community faces and the impact of the current administration on LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
U.S. Congresswoman Julie Johnson of Texas rallies the crowd with what’s at stake for our LGBTQ+ people at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s Houston Champagne Brunch on March 30. Photo by Charlie Horse Photos
“The reality is our existence threatens their power,” said Rep. Johnson, the first LGBTQ+ congressperson elected from the South. “We will not hide, disappear or be erased from our society and government.”
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund board treasurer Ken Bohan honored former president and CEO Mayor Annise Parker and announced the Annise Parker Candidate Fund to help provide critical resources to candidates.
Mayor Annise Parker addresses attendees, speaking on her legacy of activism and community resilience at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s Houston Champagne Brunch on March 30. Photo by Charlie Horse Photos.
“When you look to Victory Fund, you think about three things – time, talent, and treasure,” said Bohan, who, along with his partner, generously donated to create the candidate fund. “The third, treasure, helps get candidates over that winning threshold. Having more to share with candidates gives us credibility, and it sends a message that we are here for candidates, supporting them and the mission, and caring about their work.”
Mayor Annise Parker shared a hopeful message with the hometown crowd and awarded the Annise Parker Leadership Award to Travis Torrence, a local attorney, philanthropist and corporate leader.
“We can be sure that we’ll win because we’ve done it before. We’ve won tough battles in darker times and can do it again,” says Parker. “We will win because we cannot lose. With so much at stake, including people’s lives and livelihoods, we simply cannot afford to backtrack on the progress we’ve made over the last 50+ years.”
After 7 years of leadership of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and its sister organization, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, Mayor Parker stepped down at the end of March, passing the reins of the decades-old organizations to Low.
Gina Ortiz Jones, a Spotlight candidate for San Antonio mayor, rounded out the event by speaking on her military history and how it shaped her run for mayor.
San Antonio mayoral candidate Gina Ortiz Jones closed out the speaker’s program by discussing why we need more LGBTQ+ city executives at the Houston Champagne Brunch on March 30. Photo by Charlie Horse Photo.
“Leadership matters at every level- especially in executive roles where we can drive real, lasting change,” said Ortiz Jones, who also ran for Congress and was supported by Victory Fund. “It’s time more LGBTQ+ members ran the tables (where) decisions are made.”
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s Houston Champagne Brunch is the first in the national event series, followed by the National Champagne Brunch in Washington, D.C., on April 30 and the San Diego Champagne Brunch on May 18. Support LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s important work by following this link.
