The LGBTQ Victory Fund is backing Alexsis Rodgers in the 2020 Richmond mayoral race. If elected, Rodgers will become both the first woman and the first openly LGBTQ person to serve as Richmond’s mayor.

Richmond’s four-way race to determine who will become the city’s next mayor has been heating up ever since the summer began. Now, in a new development sure to interest the city’s LGBTQ community, the LGBTQ Victory Fund has endorsed Richmond mayoral candidate Alexsis Rodgers. 

“This is a huge boost for our campaign, because their endorsement is a seal of approval and shows we are on track to win,” Rodgers said in a statement. “Victory Fund only endorses candidates who will be strong voices for equality and who prove they are building a campaign that is heading toward victory.”

LGBTQ Victory Fund, founded in 1991, helps support openly LGBTQ candidates for public office. In the past, they have backed Danica Roem, who represents Prince William County in the Virginia House of Delegates and in 2017 became America’s first transgender person elected to statewide political office; and Dawn Adams, an openly gay delegate who represents Richmond’s West End in the Virginia House of Delegates. Sean Meloy, the LGBTQ Victory Fund’s senior political director, called the group’s endorsement a “powerful statement of your campaign’s viability.” 

If elected, Rodgers will be the first openly LGBTQ mayor of Richmond, and the first woman elected to the seat. 

“LGBTQ people are 4.5 percent of the U.S. population but hold only 0.15 percent of elected positions nationwide. We need more diverse voices in office – people that will fight for everyone – and I am determined to be that voice,” Rodgers said. “When elected, I’ll fight for equality, affordable housing, environmental protections, and other issues important to our community.”

Rodgers has a history of advocating for the Black LGBTQ community in Richmond, receiving the 2020 Rodney Lofton Social Justice award from Black Pride RVA for her work in the community. She also is known for fighting for health care access, labor and housing rights, and workplace protections for LGBTQ people across Virginia. 

“I am humbled to receive the endorsement of Victory Fund and will continue to advance progressive policies that will uplift queer people in Richmond,” said Rodgers. 

Rodgers is also endorsed by Run for Something, Our Revolution RVA, Generation Ratify VA, and many community leaders, Virginia elected officials, and business owners. She hopes her election will allow her to advocate for underrepresented groups. 

“We will continue to see disparities and discriminatory practices in our institutions and communities if we don’t address the inequality of power,” Rodgers said. “The current Black Lives Matter movement and mobilization to dismantle oppressive policies are led by Black and brown and queer and trans women, yet we see little gain for these communities. It’s imperative that we center and advocate for underrepresented groups in a transformative way.”

Top Photo by Shawnee Custalow, via Alexsis Rodgers/Facebook