The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute – which runs campaign trainings and leadership programs for LGBTQ+ politicians – has teamed up with Advocates for Trans Equality to create a specialized training extension specifically for trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary (TGNCNB) people who want to run for office.
“This first-of-its-kind collaboration will focus on the needs and experiences of TGNCNB candidates and provide tailored resources and programming to address the issues faced on the campaign trail and beyond,” a press release explained.
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Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director at Advocates for Trans Equality, said that “from city council to the U.S. House,” more and more trans people are running for and winning elections despite the onslaught of hate from the Republican party.
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The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s 2024 Out on the Trail Report found that about 15% of LGBTQ+ candidates last year were trans, gender nonconforming or nonbinary – a number that has almost doubled since 2020.
Trans people who won elections last year include Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D), Iowa Rep. Aime Wichtendahl (D), Chicago Water Reclamation District Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis (D), and House Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first out trans member of Congress.
“Even in moments of despair, we are still building power to secure our rights and defend democracy,” Heng-Lehtinen said. “Trans people are in every state across this country, and we are so proud to partner with LGBTQ+ Victory Institute to ensure that our voices are heard at every level of government.”
But more trans representation is still needed. The Victory Institute’s Out for America map shows that right now, the United States has approximately 110 representatives who identify as trans, nonbinary, or genderqueer, as compared to 1,342 overall out LGBTQ+ elected officials nationwide. As such, the 110 TGNCNB representatives account for only 0.26% of all elected officials.
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President & CEO Evan Low added that the best way to fight anti-trans laws and sentiment is to elect more trans people.
In Montana, for example, trans state Reps. Zooey Zephyr and SJ Howell (D) recently gave impassioned speeches that convinced Republicans to vote against two anti-trans bills.
“These kind of votes are born out of trans representation in government,” Zephyr posted after the vote. “Rep. Howell & I have built solid relationships with Republicans and those relationships change hearts, minds, and (eventually) votes. It is painful, grueling work. But it makes a difference.”
These kind of votes are born out of trans representation in government. Rep. Howell & I have built solid relationships with Republicans and those relationships change hearts, minds, and (eventually) votes. It is painful, grueling work. But it makes a difference.
— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@zoandbehold.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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Low explained, “One of the main ways we can work to combat anti-trans rhetoric in politics and stop harmful laws targeting trans and nonbinary people is to work diligently and intentionally to support and grow transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary representation in city halls, state legislatures and our federal government. This unique collaboration and program offering meets the moment by strategically working to build the pipeline of TGNCNB candidates at all levels of government, bringing necessary voices to halls of power.”
The specialized training will take place in Los Angeles from September 7 through September 9, following the organization’s more generalized programming the four days prior.
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