trust / trʌst / n.
1. firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something
Political Advisors
Masen Davis
Masen Davis
Masen Davis
Masen is an internationally recognized leader in the LGBTQ movement and serves as Interim Executive Director at Transgender Europe.
LGBTQ Hero: Tim Sweeney
Kevin Hager
Masen Davis
Masen Davis
Kevin advises philanthropists and social entrepreneurs on social impact strategy. He is the President of Hager Advisors.
LGBTQ Hero: Barbara Gittings
Marisa Lee
Masen Davis
Zakiya J. Lord
Marisa is a former Obama Administration official and current president of Beacon Advisors, a mission-driven consulting firm.
LGBTQ Hero: Her Uncle Ruben
Zakiya J. Lord
Chris Cormier Maggiano
Zakiya J. Lord
Zakiya is a former clinical therapist, turned development professional, who has worked to mobilize resources locally and internationally. LGBTQ Hero: Audre Lorde
Chris Cormier Maggiano
Chris Cormier Maggiano
Chris Cormier Maggiano
As President and Founder of Cormier & Co., Chris advises clients on policy, political, and philanthropic strategy.
LGBTQ Hero: Carmen Vázquez
Jason McGill
Chris Cormier Maggiano
Chris Cormier Maggiano
Jason has worked in philanthropy at a national and international level, most recently as the Arcus Foundation co-executive director.
LGBTQ Hero: Bishop Yvette Flunder
Anthony Mercurio
Anthony Mercurio
Anthony Mercurio
Anthony is a donor advisor and Democratic strategist who served as the finance director for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign.
LGBTQ Hero: Bayard Rustin
Harris Parnell
Anthony Mercurio
Anthony Mercurio
Harris is a donor advisor and organizer who works nationally to advance progressive causes and win elections.
LGBTQ Hero: Mary Bonauto
Juan Rangel
Anthony Mercurio
Wendi Wallace
Juan is a former Hill staffer who serves as a Federal Lobbyist at the National Education Association in Washington, DC.
LGBTQ Hero: Frida Kahlo
Wendi Wallace
Wendi Wallace
Wendi Wallace
Wendi is the Deputy Executive Director for the Democratic Governors Association and has a long history of working with progressive orgs.
LGBTQ hero: Bayard Rustin
Shawn Werner
Wendi Wallace
Shawn Werner
Shawn is the Regional Director, State & Local Campaigns at EMILY's List and worked at several LGBTQ organizations.
LGBTQ Hero: Toni Atkins
FAQs
What is expected of donors who want to join The Q Trust?
While there is no minimum contribution or membership fee, we ask that donors provide direct support to the campaigns and organizations recommended as part of the Slate. The Q Trust does not accept direct contributions nor are we directly connected to any candidate or political committee. We ask donors to give at least $5,000 in total to the Slate online.
Who started The Q Trust? Who compiles the Slate?
The Q Trust was launched in May 2020 by a group of political advisors in consultation with major donors, all in a volunteer capacity. Collectively, we have decades of experience running campaigns, developing innovative political strategy, and building donor networks.
If I want to win in November, why should I care about The Q Trust?
We have researched, vetted, and selected campaigns that are most likely to have a major impact in key battleground states. These include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, which are likely to have a decisive impact on the US Senate and US House.
Does the Slate only include candidates? Are they federal or state-level?
The Slate includes candidates as well as organizational partners, most often the statewide equality group. We recommend support for these local partners to ensure they have the resources they need to implement their electoral plans as well as advocate for policy change after November. While the vast majority of the candidates are state-level, we have also included a handful of top-tier openly LGBTQ federal candidates.
Why these ten states? How are you prioritizing them?
All of the states selected are rated by the Movement Advancement Project as low or negative equality, meaning that LGBTQ people living there have fewer protections and opportunities. We selected these states based on electoral and legislative opportunities, existing infrastructure, and the capacity and need for political resources.
Are you working with any other partner organizations?
In addition to the statewide partners included in the Slate, we have engaged the Victory Fund, EMILY’s List, GiveGreen, and HRC, among others to align our efforts and find opportunities for collaboration.
Are you including any Republicans on the Slate?
While we do not currently have any GOP candidates, we aspire to achieve a political landscape in which we can identify and recommend them. The Slate includes nonpartisan candidates, and all recommended statewide groups are nonpartisan political entities. If a donor is interested, we can share a list of LGBTQ-friendlier GOP candidates.
How do I join or recommend someone to The Q Trust?
Please contact us at info@theqtrust.org.
Political Partners
