A Las Vegas nonprofit is planning a summer leadership academy for political hopefuls from the LGBTQ+ community looking to launch a campaign.
The Nevada LGBTQ+ Leadership Academy will give LGBTQ+ individuals a deeper understanding of the state’s political system, build the skills to seek elected office, run successful campaigns, and learn about appointed opportunities with agency boards and commissions, officials with Silver State Equality said in a statement Wednesday.
Silver State Equality, a statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy nonprofit, is modeling its program after what’s been done in neighboring California. Equality California’s academy is in its eighth year and has trained more than 230 individuals, it said.
“We envision a Nevada in which LGBTQ+ persons serve in all statewide offices and key legislative bodies, including the state Senate and (Assembly), as well as county- and city-level seats,” said André Wade, state director for Silver State Equality.
The filing deadline for this year’s elections has passed, but the program hopes to attract LGBTQ+ candidates for future campaigns, said a spokesperson for Silver State Equality.
The one-day Nevada program will address obstacles faced by LGBTQ+ candidates.
A study from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law found that 5.5% of Nevada’s 3.1 million residents identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. Nevada is one of 15 states with a population of 4.5% or higher in the community.
The Nevada Legislature is reflective of the state’s LGBTQ+ makeup with four openly gay members: Sens. Dallas Harris, D-Las Vegas; Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas; and Melanie Scheible, D-Reno; and Assemblywoman Sarah Peters, D-Reno. Spearman, who has been in office since 2012, is termed out. Peters isn’t seeking reelection.
Lawmakers in the 2023 Nevada Legislature formed the LGBTQ+ Caucus to advocate for protecting rights for community members and advancing equality through legislation. The group said 20 lawmakers attended the initial meeting of the caucus.
“That’s a good almost one-third of this legislative body,” Harris, the caucus’s founder said at the time. “So, I’m happy to see lots of engagement and lots of interest in ensuring that LGBTQ+ Nevadans across the state feel welcome here and continue to feel welcome here.”
The Silver State Equality program is a “commitment to building the bench of LGBTQ+ elected leaders at all levels of government,” officials said.
The program will give insights into what is needed to initiate a campaign, from organizing to fundraising and navigating the endorsement process. Certain elements of running a campaign, like how to effectively engage with donors or how to communicate messages to voters, will be highlighted.
The free program is scheduled for 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 24 at a location that will later be determined. Donations from the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority and NV Energy Foundation are supporting the program, officials said.
To participate, submit an application at silverstateequality.org/leadership-academy by July 30.