Chicago, IL – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed Lori Lightfoot for Chicago Mayor. Since her historic victory in 2019, Lightfoot has remained the nation’s highest-ranking out LGBTQ mayor and only Black out lesbian mayor.
According to LGBTQ Victory Institute’s Out for America Map, the only national database of out LGBTQ elected officials, there are just thirteen out LGBTQ women mayors in the U.S and just five out Black LGBTQ mayors.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about the endorsement:
“With the current surge of anti-LGBTQ hate and racism plaguing our cities, it is more important than ever to ensure our leaders reflect the true diversity and strength of our communities. We must leverage our political power to ensure LGBTQ leaders like Lori remain in office while also building a rainbow bench of future candidates. Since her historic victory in 2019, Lori has taken on big fights and won on behalf of her constituents, including investing heavily in climate and environmental justice initiatives, working to address housing insecurity and advancing LGBTQ rights in the city. As the nation’s third-largest city, Chicago has enormous impact on national politics. We are confident Lori will continue to be an important national LGBTQ leader in our fight for a more equitable and just America.”
Mayor Lightfoot released the following statement about the endorsement:
“Victory Fund has always been a tremendous partner of mine. In 2019, their early endorsement put my campaign on the map. They believed in me before a lot of other people even considered it. Representation matters, particularly when you are part of a community that has been historically discriminated against. LGBTQ+ representation and visibility is essential, and an important part of Chicago’s history and culture. I will always fight for the rights and needs of our community. We’ve accomplished so much – including expanding resources for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth and reforming policies and training for police interacting with transgender, intersex and gender-nonconforming people. With Victory Fund’s support, there is so much more we can accomplish and I am proud to have their support for my re-election.”
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates.
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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.
