New York City mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn, the current speaker of the city council, is set to address more than 1,000 attendees at the annual Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch this weekend in Washington, D.C. She’ll join Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, comedian Loni Love and others as Victory supporters celebrate unprecedented electoral success for LGBT candidates in 2012, and look ahead to big races like Quinn’s in 2013.

“Washington, D.C., loves Chris Quinn because we rarely get to hear politicians tell us exactly what they’re thinking,” said Victory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe, who also be a featured speaker at Sunday’s brunch.  ”This is going to be one of the most exciting races of the year. There are a lot of LGBT people in Washington who will be watching to see if New York makes history this year by electing its first woman and first openly LGBT mayor.”

Sims became the first openly LGBT candidate elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature last year, and Baldwin became the first openly LGBT U.S. senator in one of the most closely-watched federal races of 2012.

“This is a celebration of a landmark year in LGBT politics, but it’s also a look ahead to what we can accomplish this year, when we expect more than 100 candidates will be endorsed in local, state and federal races,” Wolfe said.

LGBT ally and “Chelsea Lately Show” regular comedian Loni Love is set to kick off the festivities at the International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton.  To learn more or secure last-minute tickets, go here.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced Lucinda Guinn has joined the organization as its political director. Guinn will be responsible for overseeing Victory’s political team and endorsement process, which ensures that viable openly LGBT political candidates receive top-notch support and technical expertise during their campaigns. She will also oversee Victory’s well-regarded Candidate and Campaign Training, a first stop on the career tracks of many LGBT political leaders.

Guinn joins Victory as the national political action committee works to build on its 2012 successes, when 124 of 180 endorsed openly LGBT candidates won election, including U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and six members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I’m excited to welcome such an experienced and talented political professional to Victory,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.  “Lucinda’s reputation is sterling and her winning track record speaks for itself.  I know she shares my vision that there’s nothing the LGBT community can’t achieve in electoral politics if we’re willing to work hard to win.”

Prior to joining the Victory Fund, Guinn was the western political director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, where she helped 11 new candidates get elected to the U.S House and lost no incumbent seats in the last election cycle.

“Lucinda has the skill set to dig into campaigns and help them improve from the inside out.  With years of campaign experience, she is battle tested and knows how to win tough campaigns.  She’ll be able to expand the playing field and help more LGBT candidates get elected to office, which is what makes the Victory Fund such a crucial organization in the fight for equality,” said Robby Mook, DCCC’s former executive director.

Lisa Grove of the polling firm Anzalone Liszt Grove, who worked with Guinn on Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema’s groundbreaking campaign last year, said, “Lucinda is a great pick for the Victory Fund.  She is smart, strategic, collaborative and knows how to get the win.  I’ve watched her gently move numerous candidates to where they needed to be in terms of message, fundraising and field.  We can count on seeing more LGBT elected officials with Lucinda on the job.”

Washington, D.C., political strategist Steve Elmendorf was elected chair of the board of directors of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund at the group’s board meeting in Long Beach, Calif., last weekend.

Elmendorf, a longtime political insider and connected power-player, is president of the firm Elmendorf | Ryan.  Before launching his firm he served as chief of staff to House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, and as a senior adviser to John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign and Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

“I am honored to chair this organization as the community of leaders we serve reaches new heights of political power and opportunity.  Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have much to offer their country as elected and appointed officials, and we will work hard to make sure many more of them are able to serve at all levels of government,” said Elmendorf.  ”It’s become exceedingly clear how important it is to be in the room when key decisions about LGBT issues are made, so getting more out leaders in those rooms is our priority and our focus.”

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi applauded Elmendorf’s election.

“As a former top House Leadership staffer and a fixture in our nation’s capital, Steve Elmendorf brings critical experience and political know-how to the work of electing more LGBT leaders to Congress,” Pelosi said.  ”With a record number of LGBT Members set to serve in the next Congress, Steve’s leadership at the Victory Fund will be critical in advancing an agenda of civil rights and equality under the law.  I congratulate him on his election as chair of the Victory Fund board.”

Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., also congratulated Elmendorf.

“The important work the Victory Fund has done and will continue to do moving our country forward will be well served by Steve’s experience and skills bringing people together and creating coalitions to achieve big things. I look forward to working with Steve and the entire Victory Fund team to continue the progress we have made in both the policy and electoral arenas to build a stronger America where everybody has a seat at the table and everyone has a voice,” Baldwin said.

Frank Selvaggi of New York City, a CPA and founding partner at Altman, Greenfield & Selvaggi, was elected vice-chair of the Victory Fund board.  Kim Hoover, a Washington, D.C, attorney and real estate developer, was elected treasurer.  Joe Falk of Miami was elected board secretary.  He is a consultant at the firm Akerman Senterfitt.

President Barack Obama today said he now supports allowing same-sex couples to marry, a remarkable moment in the history of LGBT civil rights.  Victory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe issued the following message in response to the news:

Remember this moment.

Minutes ago Barack Obama became the first American president to say he supports allowing loving, committed same-sex couples to enter into civil marriages.  I want to congratulate the president for this bold and welcome move.

This is a watershed moment for the LGBT civil rights movement, but it’s also a call to action.  A president’s vocal support for our community is a fantastic asset, but nothing can replace the hard work it will take to ensure we win the rights we deserve.

This year in Maryland and Washington state, marriage equality laws long sought by openly gay and lesbian state lawmakers were finally passed.  Those successes came after determined efforts by coalitions of national, state and local LGBT groups, as well as tireless lobbying by the men and women whose lives would be most affected by these victories.

This year we have the opportunity to greatly expand our community’s voice in government.   We will elect LGBT lawmakers who will fight for us every day.  And now they will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their president as they ask their fellow Americans for the simple protections and responsibilities that come with marriage.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, issued the following statement today regarding an announcement by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., that he will not seek reelection to Congress next year:

“Barney Frank’s political career may be coming to an end, but his legacy will outlive us all.  His decision to come out as gay more than two decades ago gave LGBT Americans an authentic voice and a persistent champion in Washington.  He has used that voice loudly and often, speaking personally, humorously and effectively about the hopes and challenges of Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.  We will miss that voice very much.

The good news is that Congressman Frank has also inspired a new generation of LGBT leaders who are following in his footsteps and choosing to serve in public office openly, honestly and unafraid to be themselves.  More than simply inspiring them, he has helped them run and win, and he has been an enormously supportive and generous friend to the Victory Fund.

We are grateful for Congressman Frank’s service to his country, his enduring honesty and his remarkable leadership in the fight to make our country freer and fairer for all Americans.”

Information Regarding Openly Gay and Lesbian Members of Congress

• Barney Frank is the second openly gay American to serve in the U.S. Congress, coming out while in office in 1987.  (The late Rep. Gerry Studds, D-Mass., came out publicly while serving in office prior to Frank.)

• Just seven openly gay or lesbian Americans have ever served in the U.S. House, and none have served in the Senate.

• Only three non-incumbent, openly gay or lesbian candidates have been elected to Congress (Rep. Tammy Baldwin in 1998; Rep. Jared Polis in 2008; Rep. David Cicilline in 2010).

• When Barney Frank came out in 1987, fewer than 50 openly LGBT Americans were serving in public office at any level of government in the U.S.  Today more than 500 are.

• The Victory Fund has already endorsed three non-incumbent, openly gay candidates in 2012 Congressional races, including: Wisconsin State Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-2); Mark Takano (CA-41); Washington State Rep. Marko Liias (WA-1).  It has also endorsed the reelection bids of Rep. Jared Polis (CO-2) and Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1).  Victory has also endorsed Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., in her bid for the U.S. Senate.