2020 was a big year in the US elections. Not only was there a record number of voters, but there was also a record number of LGBTIQ people standing for election, with 574 candidates on the ballots identifying as LGBTIQ. But what does it take to win an election as an LGBTIQ candidate? The Victory Fund is an organisation in the US dedicated to helping openly LGBTIQ people get elected, who then can further equality at all levels of government.

The Victory Fund provide campaign, fundraising and communications support to LGBTIQ candidates to increase the number of openly rainbow elected officials – because they believe that representation is power. Elliot Imse is the Director of Communications at Victory Fund and Victory Institute. Elliot has a long history of working in organisations supporting human rights.