When Evan Low stepped into his role as president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute earlier this year, he faced a dual reality: While LGBTQ+ elected representation has reached historic heights, the political climate has become increasingly hostile, especially for the trans community.
That tension between historic progress and relentless backlash has shaped Low’s first months on the job, he told Windy City Times during a visit to Chicago for a Victory Institute fundraiser. In local governments across the country, he warned, “We see continuous harmful legislation being proposed in multiple state houses, close to 500 across the country.”
That’s why the mission of Victory Institute, which prepares LGBTQ+ people to run for public office across the country, is so critical, Low said.
“We know that when we have a seat at the table, we can effectuate change,” Low said. “We can win hearts and minds by reflecting the best of what America has to offer.”
Building LGBTQ+ power and supporting leaders who hold it
In its newly released Out for America 2025 report, Victory Institute shows how LGBTQ+ representation in elected office has reached an all-time high. But gaps—particularly for trans, bisexual and Black and Brown leaders—persist.
There are now 1,334 known out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the U.S., which is a 2.4% increase from last year, according to the report.
But LGBTQ+ people still make up just .26% of all elected officials nationwide. Victory Institute estimates nearly 47,000 additional LGBTQ+ people would need to be elected to achieve full parity.
The report also details growth in trans representation among elected officials, with the number of openly trans officeholders growing by 783% since the report’s launch in 2017. But the raw numbers remain small.
Meanwhile, the number of LGBTQ+ elected officials of color has increased by 421%—from 92 in 2017 to 477 this year, according to the report.
These disparities are driving the Victory Institute’s push to recruit, train and support more trans and BIPOC candidates, Low said.
Low pointed to success stories of transgender politicians like Delaware’s U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, Iowa State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, Montana State Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Virginia State Sen. Danica Roem, and Nashville Metro Council member Olivia Hill. All are trans leaders who have broken barriers in states with hostile political climates, Low said.
But Victory Institute’s work doesn’t stop when LGBTQ+ officials win their races, Low said. The organization is increasingly focused on helping them navigate the pressures of public life, including doxxing, harassment and burnout—factors that often deter LGBTQ+ people from running for office, Low said. Victory Institute is piloting mental health check-ins for elected officials, as well as creating mentorship networks between newer and more experienced LGBTQ+ leaders.
“Many of our elected officials have said, after the candidate training, ‘I care about the calling, but I don’t want to subject my family… I have children,’” Low said. “It’s unfortunate that this exists.”
Relating with voters over ‘kitchen table issues’
Low also addressed recent comments he made in a Politico article in which he suggested LGBTQ+ candidates emphasize “Kitchen table issues” like the economy and public safety over identity-related debates.
In that interview, Low said he has been advising candidates to avoid getting drawn into conversations about trans participation in sports, which is an issue that has become a political rallying cry for President Donald Trump and other conservatives.
“This is not a top 1, top 5, top 10 or top 30 issue,” Low told Politico, adding, “We are running to serve the people, not to distract on issues that divide.”
Low told Windy City Times his intent wasn’t to downplay LGBTQ+ issues, but to help candidates connect authentically with their communities and speak to the everyday concerns of voters.
“When we do candidate trainings, we encourage individuals to talk about their authentic lived experiences from a palace of foundation—so what it is like to be an openly LGBTQ+ official, and how that lived experience can be applied to the grace and empathy that is provided,” Low said. “So when you provide grace and empathy to housing accommodations, members of our community know what it’s like to be vulnerable, targeted or not have access to health care and education, for example.”
Low pointed to Hill, the trans politician in Nashville, whose political work focuses on infrastructure and public works.
“She’s passionate about infrastructure, water and public roads,” Low said. “These are the bread-and-butter everyday issues that impact the quality of life of their constituencies. That’s what I was referring to, which is to speak specifically to your communities … and the issues that your constituents care about.”
At the same time, Low said the Victory Institute is leaning into trans rights advocacy by working to elect more transgender officials, rather than pulling back.
“This moment requires us to lean in and enhance our capacity,” Low said. “That’s why we are partnering with Advocates For Trans Equality for this dedicated candidate training program for trans people, because we know that this is the answer [and] the antidote to the hate toward members of our community.”
But when it comes to addressing hot-button cultural debates like bathroom access and trans inclusion in sports, Low struck a pragmatic tone. He said the Victory Institute encourages candidates to be “open, honest, transparent and authentic in their experiences,” while also staying focused on their constituents’ local concerns.
“Every community is very distinct,” Low said.
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ surge and the road ahead
Low’s visit to Chicago was anchored by a Victory Institute fundraiser at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., where he connected with the city and state’s growing LGBTQ+ political bench. Chicago now has a record number of out LGBTQ+ alderpeople, making up nearly one-fifth of City Council.
Reflecting on the night, Low said he spoke with both longtime trailblazers and up-and-coming leaders.
“It made me think of the trajectory we’ve seen in terms of representation,” Low said. “From Thomas Chiola, the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to public office in Illinois in 1994 to now, when there are enough LGBTQ+ alderpeople in City Council to justify a caucus in itself.”
Low also met local officials like Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th Ward), State Sen. Mike Simmons and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison. Both Simmons and Morrison are running for Congress.
“The future is bright, especially here in the Midwest,” Low said.
Still, progress in cities like Chicago is not enough on its own, and Victory Institute is looking at ways to expand representation across the country, Low said.
“How do we help ensure that a national organization is invested in other states, knowing the pendulum swings back and forth?” Low said.
And in Chicago, where generations of LGBTQ+ activism have laid the groundwork, Low said the energy remains strong.
“We stand on the shoulders of people like Tom [Chiola]; Debra Shore, [the first lesbian elected to countywide office in Illinois]; and [former Mayor] Lori Lightfoot to say that this is possible for people of varying generations and backgrounds,” Low said. “This was possible in the past, and it’s possible in our present and future.”