The Gay & Lesbian Victory
Fund is recognized as the leading national political organization
that identifies, trains, and supports openly lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender candidates and officials.
Victory is the only national organization committed to
increasing the number of openly gay and lesbian public
officials at federal, state and local levels of government.
Victory Fund support is acknowledged as the determinative
factor in the successful election or appointment of endorsed
candidates. The Victory Fund is one of the nation's largest
non-connected PACs. Since its inception in 1991, the Victory
Fund has generated well over $3.5 million for qualified
openly gay and lesbian candidates. The Victory Fund's
unique structure enables small donors to have a major
impact in races by bundling their contributions to candidates.
People join the Victory Fund and periodically receive
profiles of each endorsed candidate. Members then choose
which candidates to support and make their checks or credit
card contributions payable directly to the candidate's
campaign. The Victory Fund then sends that money directly
to the campaigns as a massive show of community support
(specifics may vary due to local election laws).
A message from Aaron Kampfe,
president of OutWest Global Adventures and endorsed elected
official of Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
“Most of you see Aaron
doing something outdoors like riding horses on his family’s
ranch, snowboarding at Aspen Gay Ski Week, riding a bike
in Italy, or trekking on Kilimanjaro, but yes, sometimes
he can be caught in a coat and tie.”
At OutWest Global Adventures we find that our tours are
about more than just traveling. As a gay and lesbian organization
we inherently have a social impact and a social responsibility.
Not only are our guests changed by their experiences in
a given destinations, by the destinations are changed
by their experience with OutWest groups. Stereotypes about
gay people are changed; stereotypes about locations are
changed.
During the four years that I served on the Board of Directors
of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association
(IGLTA), I saw the impact we as gay travelers had in communities
around the world. As president of the association I met
members of parliaments, mayors, governors, directors of
tourism bureaus, elected officials, and business leader.
The progression of civil rights and gay rights begins
with individuals from many different parts of society.
As an elected official,
I know first hand the importance of having GLBT people
in office. Victory Fund endorses candidates on all levels
of government from small town councilmen like myself to
national candidates for congress. Support from our community
is essential to the further expansion of our rights and
having a voice in our democracy.
As an individual, I support Victory Fund and as a company
owner, I find way to create an awareness of Victory Fund’s
mission. I encourage others to donate to the organization
and get involved locally and nationally.
Feel free to contact me with any questions about Victory
Fund and I encourage you to become a member, make a donation,
and get involved. www.victoryfund.org. When donating to
the fund, let them know you found out about them by indicating
“Aaron Kampfe” or “OutWest Global Adventures”
as your referral.
Thank you for your support.
Aaron Kampfe
President, OutWest Global Adventures
Member of the Red
Lodge City Council, Montana
Endorsed elected official of Gay & Lesbian Victory
Fund
aaron@outwestadventures.com
