Celebrating Resilience at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s National Champagne Brunch
Washington, D.C. — Amid rising hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s National Champagne Brunch on April 27 at the Ritz-Carlton transformed into a celebration of resilience and a clarion call for justice. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the event’s 2025 Equality Champion Award recipient, addressed a packed audience with military clarity: “We leave no one behind.”
Moore emphasized the necessity of defending LGBTQ+ rights, referencing Maryland’s recent Trans Health Equity Act that mandates Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. “In Maryland, hate will find no oxygen,” he declared, reaffirming his commitment to protect vulnerable communities from discrimination.
His words resonated alongside those of Congresswoman Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of the U.S. House. McBride criticized the current political climate, recounting experiences of harassment and discrimination despite her position. “We belong in our workplaces, in the military, and in Congress,” she asserted, combatting the threats arising from anti-trans rhetoric.
Joining the discussions were Senator Tammy Baldwin, America’s first out LGBTQ+ senator, and Tim Gunn, who stressed that the battle for dignity transcends mere aesthetics. They shared concerns about weaponizing LGBTQ+ identity for political gain, highlighting the pressing need to confront the pervasive culture of intolerance.
Evan Low, the newly appointed President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, called for collective action to ensure LGBTQ+ representation in politics becomes the norm, not the exception. “We cannot be what we cannot see,” he said.
As attendees celebrated the strides already made, they also stood united against the growing tide of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, determined to protect their rights and those of future generations.
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