Victory Fund hosts inaugural Chicago brunch

The Victory Fund hosted its largest fundraising brunch to date Sept. 9, as more than 450 guests joined the national LGBT political-action committee for its inaugural Chicago Champagne Brunch at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.

Headliner Christine Quinn—the New York City Council speaker and presumptive 2013 mayoral candidate—was welcomed with a rousing standing ovation. Speaking candidly, she shared stories from the Democratic National Convention and impressed the importance of electing openly LGBT legislators.

“It’s not sexy work, but at the end of the day, it’s work that gets cities and states to pass domestic partnerships, to pass civil unions, to pass marriage equality, and to create a drumbeat so loud that the Democratic Party doesn’t worry about us as a wedge issue anymore,” Quinn said.

As guests sat down to eggs Benedict, pastries and mimosas, three openly LGBT legislators—Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh and Cook County Metropolitan Water Reclamation Commissioner Debra Shore—took to the stage to share anecdotes from their time in office.

In 2012, the Victory Fund has backed 170 candidates with a year-to-date success rate of 81 percent, said CEO Chuck Wolfe, who personally greeted each table.

Shore, Gary Metzner, Wally Brewster and Craig Andree co-chaired the two-and-a-half-hour event. Guests included: Illinois Rep. Sara Feigenholtz and AIDS Foundation of Chicago President and CEO David Ernesto Munar.