Congressman Robert Garcia and Maine Governor Janet Mills target Trump at LGBTQ+ leadership conference

The International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference, hosted by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, kicked off Thursday in Washington, D.C., combining celebration with a candid political dialogue. California Congressman Robert Garcia, known for his outspoken and theatrical style, set the tone for the event.

Among the 12 LGBTQ+ members of the House, I am the most openly gay, Garcia told attendees, adding with characteristic humor, I consider myself the absolute gayest.

The annual conference at the JW Marriott, near the White House, gathers LGBTQ+ elected officials, appointees, organizers, and allies from across the U.S. and globally. For many, the opening session serves as an emotional reconnection, honoring pioneers and assessing the challenges facing LGBTQ+ rights amidst renewed federal attacks.

Victory Institute President and CEO Evan Low opened the plenary by highlighting the diversity of attendees and the importance of reaffirming their shared purpose. He paid tribute to past leaders, such as former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, and acknowledged corporate allies who have stood by the movement.

Garcia Urges Intersectional Solidarity

In his keynote, Garcia shifted from humor to a serious message about what he described as a dangerous moment for democracy. He cited threats to LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, immigration protections, and democratic institutions. Garcia, recently appointed lead Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, pledged rigorous oversight of both government officials and corporations affecting healthcare and housing costs.

He emphasized solidarity with marginalized communities, arguing that LGBTQ+ people have a responsibility to support students defending their First Amendment rights, immigrants facing detentions, and women fighting for bodily autonomy. He called the queer community inherently intersectional, made up of Black people, immigrants, women, students, and LGBTQ+ individuals, uniquely equipped to drive collective liberation.

Mills Advocates Compassion and Justice

Maine Governor Janet Mills, seeking a U.S. Senate seat, shared her long-standing record of LGBTQ+ advocacy. She recounted past efforts to pass statewide nondiscrimination protections, prosecute anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, support marriage equality, and expand transgender healthcare access. Mills highlighted her confrontation with former President Donald Trump over trans rights, noting her states legal victory.

She stressed the ongoing political threats to LGBTQ+ people and called for national laws based on freedom, not fear; compassion, not cruelty, urging immediate action to uphold these principles.

Conference Highlights and Future

The plenary ended on a lighter note with Low joking about the influence of LGBTQ+ leaders in Maines government, underlining the impact of representation. Former President Joe Biden is scheduled to receive an award at the conference, which continues through Saturday with sessions on governance, public service, and strategies for future LGBTQ+ political leadership.

Author: Maya Henderson