News

Lesbian wins historic race in Alabama

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org

“Gays and lesbians in Alabama will now have what all Americans deserve
--a voice and a vote.”
-- Chuck Wolfe, President and CEO, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund

Washington DC – July 19, 2006 – Patricia Todd made history Tuesday when voters in Alabama’s 54th legislative district voted to send the Democrat to the State House, marking the first time ever that legislature will include an openly gay Representative.  The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation’s largest gay and lesbian political action committee, endorsed Todd and helped raise tens of thousands of dollars from its national network of donors to help fund her campaign.  Todd has no Republican opponent in the general election in November. 

“The road to equality in Alabama is a mile shorter today,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.  “Gays and lesbians in Alabama will now have what all Americans deserve--a voice and a vote.  Alabama knows well what a single voice can accomplish.  We applaud Patricia’s courage in stepping up to be heard,” Wolfe said.

In other elections Tuesday, Victory-endorsed candidate Rep. Karla Drenner won her Democratic primary to advance to the general election in November.  Drenner is Georgia’s only openly gay state legislator.  Allen Thornell, a Victory endorsee who is seeking election to the Georgia state House, advanced to a runoff in his Democratic primary election.   

“Karla‘s voice in the Georgia legislature is vitally important.  We’re working hard both to make sure she stays there and to help elect Allen Thornell to join her,” Wolfe said.  Thornell would be the first openly gay man in the Georgia legislature.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and officials. It’s the only national organization solely committed to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials at federal, state and local levels of government.  Victory is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee and one of the nation’s largest non-connected PACs.  In 14 years, Victory has helped the number of openly LGBT officials grow from 49 to more than 350.  For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org.