Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund — the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office — praised Democratic presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg's LGBTQ policy plan, which was released this morning. His "Becoming Whole: A New Era for LGBTQ+ Americans" proposal takes an intersectional approach to advancing equality for LGBTQ Americans. It provides solutions for preventing discrimination, achieving equitable healthcare and restoring American leadership on LGBTQ issues around the globe. Yet it also addresses issues rarely talked about by candidates at the federal level, including finding homes for LGBTQ youth in the foster care system, ensuring gender-affirming healthcare plans, and supporting LGBTQ people in the criminal justice system.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, praised Mayor Pete's proposal in a statement:
"Pete's put forward a comprehensive, inclusive and ambitious plan to tackle the myriad issues affecting LGBTQ people in America — and when his vision is implemented it will transform the United States into a global leader on LGBTQ equality," said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. "His lived experience as an LGBTQ person — as well as the experiences and struggles of LGBTQ friends and people he meets on the campaign trail — clearly informed and strengthened this plan for our community. It addresses complex issues that are rarely discussed by national politicians but deeply affect the everyday lives of millions of LGBTQ Americans. This proposal will be the high standard that other Democratic presidential candidates will be compared to."
Among the other bold policy proposals included in the plan:
Ban "conversion therapy" nationwide;
End the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030;
Enact policies that not only require coverage of gender-affirming care but also address the shortages of transition-related care;
Allow a third gender option ( X ) on U.S. passports;
Ban unnecessary genital surgeries on intersex infants and children; and
Launch the We Belong National Mentorship Program for LGBTQ young people.
Mayor Pete is the first presidential endorsee in Victory Fund's 28-year history — and is making history as the first openly LGBTQ Democratic presidential candidate in U.S. history. The organization endorsed him on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising this past June.
The "Becoming Whole: A New Era for LGBTQ+ Americans" proposal can be read in its entirety at peteforamerica.com/lgbtq .
—From a LGBTQ Victory Fund press release
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America's politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.
victoryfund.org .
