ProudPolitics

    SOURCE:  Wikipedia, captured 2020-09-02
    This page last modified: 2020-09-02 11:32:53 -0700 (PST)

  • Founded: 2013
  • Founders: Arthur Kong  |  Louroz Mercader
  • Type: NGO
  • Focus: Supporting election of LGBT politicians
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Method: Political endorsement  |  Networking  |  Leadership training
  • Executive Director: Arthur Kong
  • Chair: Louroz Mercader
  • Website: ProudPolitics.org

  • See also LGBTQ Victory Fund

    ProudPolitics is a Canadian cross-partisan organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials in Canadian politics. The group was inspired by the LGBTQ Victory Fund in the United States, which offers grassroots leadership training, networking and mentoring programs for aspiring politicians who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender communities. Unlike the Victory Fund, however, ProudPolitics does not offer direct fundraising for candidates due to Canada's differing laws around election finance.

    The organization was co-founded in 2013 by Arthur Kong, a management consultant, and Louroz Mercader, a non-profit director who was a candidate for Mississauga City Council in the 2010 municipal election. The organization's official launch, held on April 18, 2013 in Toronto, featured a keynote speech by Glen Murray, and a panel discussion featuring New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Craig Scott, former Progressive Conservative MPP Phil Gillies and Ontario Liberal Party candidate Tatum Wilson. The group also received a letter of support from Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, Canada's first openly gay provincial premier.

    In 2014 and 2018, prior to municipal and provincial elections across the country, the group held Canada's first and only candidate and campaign training program, titled Out to Win.

    The group's advisory council includes Gillies, chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and former Mayor of Toronto Barbara Hall, former federal member of parliament Bill Siksay, former Toronto District School Board trustee Nadia Bello, 2010 Toronto City Council candidate Ken Chan, Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce president Ryan Tollofson, Halton Catholic District School Board trustee Paul Marai, and urban strategist and writer Tanzeel Merchant.

    SOURCE:  ProudPolitics.org/about, captured 2020-09-02
    This page last modified: 2020-09-02 11:32:53 -0700 (PST)

    Vision

    ProudPolitics believes that the best way to empower LGBTIQ+ communities across Canada, is through greater civic-representation: have more diverse, inspirational, and competent openly LGBTIQ+ leaders, of all political stripes, serving the public through elected office, and on public boards, commissions, and agencies. ProudPolitics envisions these leaders championing greater inclusion from across the political spectrum.

    Why We Do What We Do -- #RepresentationMatters

    We believe that public LGBT role models can provide underserved LGBTIQ+ communities with hope and inspiration that they too can be proud of their identities and become inspirational leaders. These same community leaders have the potential to be the strongest allies in achieving greater equality & inclusion.

    We believe that the fight isn't over. Despite statutory rights and electoral achievements, LGBTIQ+ citizens still face many implicit barriers to participate in Canada's democracy, especially those from marginalized and under-represented communities.

    We believe that there is unmet potential. Support and resources for LGBTIQ+ leaders are often exclusive, uncoordinated, and focused on advocacy. The diversity of political beliefs and unmet potential within the LGBTIQ+ community, therefore, is often not recognized and addressed.

    Mission

    Our mission is to diversify the face and voice of Canada's politics by breaking down barriers for marginalized and under-represented LGBTIQ+ leaders to realize their potential to civic-leadership, whether that be serving on public boards/commissions, leading advocacy or political campaigns, or serve and win elections, through candidate support, fundraising, networking, and outreach.

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