Lesbians Take on a New Role in Campaign Fundraising With Super PAC

By Laura Rena Murray Wed., Jul. 11 2012 at 5:15 PM

Categories: LGBT, Politics

Being a part of the LGBT community used to be an automatic disqualifier for public officials. It's still a big deal when they do come out as homosexual, and many find their political careers go down the tubes when they're outed in places where it's still not accepted.

But now we have further evidence that lesbians are taking a more prominent role in the political world. This morning, the announcement came that there's a new bipartisan Super PAC dedicated to making sure "lesbians have a real seat, a real voice at the table." According to the Huffington Post, the lesbian Super PAC, LPAC, was started by female icons including Jane Lynch and Billie Jean King. They're hoping to raise $1 million for the 2012 elections, and they already have pledges to for $200,000.

A Super PAC focused on sexual orientation isn't a new thing. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund was created in 1991 to support the campaigns of LGBT candidates with the hopes of expanding the number of LGBT elected officials, including our very own former Supervisor Bevan Dufty in his bid for San Francisco mayor. However, LPAC is the first Super PAC to focus specifically on electing candidates that champion issues which impact lesbians and their families.

Some of the issues listed on LPAC's website include this past year's attacks on women's access to reproductive healthcare and marriage equality.

LPAC will support city, state, and federal campaigns and select ballot initiatives. You don't have to be straight or female to garner resources from LPAC, so long as you support the cause they represent: ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

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