Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, joined Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta at Freedom Corner in Pittsburgh to announce its endorsement of his campaign for U.S. Senate. During the event, Victory Fund’s Vice President of Political Programs Sean Meloy was joined by LGBTQ state Representative Jessica Benham in announcing the endorsement –Victory Fund’s first for the 2022 election cycle. If elected, Kenyatta will become the first out gay man and first out LGBTQ person of color ever to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Watch video of the endorsement announcement here.
In addition to becoming the first out LGBTQ U.S. senator of color, Kenyatta would be just the twelfth Black U.S. Senator in the 232-year history of the U.S. Senate. He would take office at 32 years old, making him one of the youngest U.S. senators ever. The average age of sitting U.S. senators is 63.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about the endorsement:
“We need more people of color, young people and LGBTQ people influencing the decisions that will determine our country’s future – and Malcolm can prove that even swing states will elect these next generation leaders. His story and values resonate with working families and marginalized communities too often ignored by our political system and he will excite the electorate in ways his primary opponents cannot. Malcolm represents the change Pennsylvanians are demanding from Washington – and as he knocks on more doors and speaks with more voters, he will become a favorite to win.”
Kenyatta released the following statement about the endorsement:
“As Pride month begins and we honor the brave souls who came before us in the fight for equal rights, I couldn’t be more honored to receive the endorsement from Victory Fund. Our campaign continues to bring together authentic voices of real people to power this historic campaign. To be the first openly LGBTQ person of color to serve Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate would be the honor of a lifetime but the fact that I would be the first speaks to the lack of diversity that permeates the Senate’s history. The support of Victory Fund is another example of the building momentum for our campaign. In the Senate I will help lead the charge to pass the Equality Act, ban conversion abuse, and end the structures that allow systemic poverty to continue an issue that impacts LGBTQ individuals at higher rates. I’m ready to make history and so are the people of the commonwealth.”
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
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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.
