What Is The Best National Political LGBT Organization In The Country?

What Is The Best National Political LGBT Organization In The Country?

 

Over and over again conversations have taken place debating where is the best place for an LGBT citizen or ally, who is politically active, to place their money and energy. Clearly there are a number of wonderful choices and there really is no definitive answer. Nevertheless, people do have to make tough decisions in these difficult economic times. Thinking hard on the question that I have been asked so many times, there is no question in my mind where to place some of your resources.

In this case, I am just going to focus on the major Washington organizations and at the national level. The list of state and local organizations is endless. Also, to pick one over another doesn't mean in any way that I am demeaning or not acknowledging the fine work done on a daily basis by other organizations. Everyone is needed at the barricades.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in Washington, DC is simply one of the best LGBT political organizations in the country. The Fund is operated, top to bottom, with excellence, good management, effective use of funds and creating long term impact in the struggle for full equality. The change it has created by electing openly LGBT candidates to public office is simply immeasurable.

The purpose of the organization is to get early resources to the campaigns of viable LGBT candidates for public office. Then to continue with that support through election. They offer candidates expertise on how to deal with LGBT issues in campaigns but also had to run effective campaigns. They have raised millions for openly LGBT candidates in their 12 years of existence.

A huge number of people have been responsible for its prominent place in the community. The Victory Fund's present CEO Chuck Wolfe deserves enormous praise for taking it to the next level and its current success.

The victories of the organization run from names like Congressman Barney Frank, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Congressman Jarad Polis to big city mayors like Mayor Annise Parker of Houston, Mayor Sam Adam of Portland and Mayor David Cicilline of Providence. In the last dozen years the number of LGBT elected officials has risen from 49 to over 500 openly LGBT elected officials! This year alone they have endorsed a record breaking 123 candidates running for office including 6 running for the United States Congress! They have elected people in hardcore conservative states. They not only endorse for Congress but also for such agencies as the Metro Water Reclamation Board in Illinois.

In addition, the Victory Fund runs the best candidate and campaign training programs in existence. Recently they took over the international organization for LGBT elected officials. This year's conference for international LGBT elected officials will be held in Washington, DC this December.

Hope you will free some of those valuable resources you all have and support theGay and Lesbian Victory Fund. It's worth it.

From: DavidMixner.com