With so many memorable events happening in and around the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois this week, there was one event that effectively mixed trailblazers in both politics and entertainment – with all of them sharing a collective message and mission to continue the LGBTQ+ community’s progress in America today, as well as to honor of their own.

The LGBTQ+ Institute’s “Victory at the DNC” event brought together elected officials, community leaders and activists in entertainment at theWit this past Tuesday afternoon, with its ongoing mission to build, train and support a diverse pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders who can advance equality in public office. A major highlight of the gathering included inducting former South Bend, Indiana Mayor-turned-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg into the LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame.

Instead of starting his acceptance speech by discussing his own accomplishments, Buttigieg took a moment to acknowledge other LGBTQ+ pioneers that came before him, including the former Mayors of Chicago and Houston in attendance. He said as soon as he took the stage, “Thank you for humbling me with this honor. Thank you Lori Lightfoot for your leadership of Chicago and for welcoming us to this town. Thank you Annise Parker – I don’t even know where to begin – it would take me an hour. Let’s just say that Annise Parker has been a pillar of leadership for the LGBTQ+ community, for the community of Mayors, for the American people.”

Other featured speakers during the event included Star Trek: Discovery series star Wilson Cruz, Star Trek film star Zachary Quinto and comedian Dana Goldberg.

Cruz and Goldberg spoke with me before the event began, with Cruz saying, “The work that the Victory Fund does, in order to elect LGBTQ candidates and allies, is incredibly important to our movement. We can’t do this work alone. The only way that we are able to progress our movement is if we have people who are working on policy – who have the power to create that change. I’m here to support this organization that makes that work possible and the fact that we get to honor Pete Buttigieg, who is our North Star perhaps at this point – probably future President in about eight years, as far as I’m concerned, and I’m going to do everything to make sure that happens.”

Goldberg said, “We need more LGBTQ representation in the legislature. We have an opportunity right now to actually flip Wisconsin [blue]and if we can get more LGBTQ people elected there, we can actually start to be part of the lawmaking process. It helps that we have one of our most LGBTQ-friendly administrations with the Biden and Harris administration, so they are helping raise candidates, up and down the ballot. That’s what is really important with The Victory Fund – everyone is fired up for Harris-Walz, but if we do not give [Harris] a House of Representatives and a Senate that is going to pass her legislature, it’s pointless.”

She added about the afternoon’s honoree, Secretary Buttigieg, “He’s an incredible guy. He’s a veteran. He represents this country – he has fought for this country and it is our time now to fight for Pete.”

Orie Givens IV, Vice President of Communications for LGBTQ+ Victory, said about having this group of notable individuals speaking at their DNC event and helping lead the charge, “The coalition is so important. It takes a village of us to really make the change that we need and get our elected officials into office. We’ve seen such a shift in the amount of political power that our community can gain and hold, and it continues to grow.”

With Buttigieg’s husband of six years, Chasten Buttigieg, standing in the crowd beside other attendees, he concluded his LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame acceptance speech with, “It’s the freedom to be who you are, to love who you love, to live how you want to be able to live – that is what we are for and that is what we are delivering with your support this week. So, thank you for everything. Let’s stay together in the fight ahead.”