Washington, DC – Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Davante Lewis won the election for Louisiana Public Service Commissioner, District 3. With this victory, he is now the first out LGBTQ person ever elected to state office in Louisiana history and the first Black out LGBTQ person elected to office in state history. There are currently just two out LGBTQ elected officials in Louisiana, according to LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:
“For far too long, Black people and the LGBTQ community have lacked equitable representation in government – with the scars to show for it. Davante shattered this lavender ceiling because voters were enthusiastic about his life-long service to Louisiana, his commitment to working families and his keen ability to forge and activate diverse coalitions. We are confident these qualities and his exceptional career as a climate champion and public policy expert will make him an effective leader for all Louisianans, especially the LGBTQ community who have faced a sharp uptick in homophobia and transphobia this year. His election is a shining example that when LGBTQ people run, we win.”
A record number of Black out LGBTQ candidates ran for public office this year. There are currently just 115 Black out LGBTQ elected officials serving in the U.S., none of whom serve in Louisiana.
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LGBTQ Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
