Pride In The Party
National Stonewall Democrats announced the launch of Pride in the Party. This national program will expand the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Democrats within state and local Democratic parties and will specifically increase the participation of LGBT Democrats at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Pride in the Party was created with a strong focus on developing the participation of LGBT communities of color, union members, youth and veterans.
"Many of our brightest elected officials, chapter leaders and party officers began their participation in Democratic politics as delegates to past conventions," said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director. "Pride in the Party is designed to develop that type of local leaders who will ultimately shape the national policy of the Democratic Party on LGBT issues. We are seeking the participation of individuals who want to help the Democratic Party grow and win by advancing the values which make it strong."
Rick Boylan, former Director of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection at the Democratic National Committee, will serve as Director of Pride in the Party. It was also announced that Rick Stafford, Chair of the GLBT Americans Caucus at the Democratic National Committee and former Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, will be utilized by the program as a consultant with a focus on state parties. Assisting in outreach to the LGBT communities, particularly within the Party's core constituencies are consultants Mandy Carter, former member of the Democratic National Committee and the DNC's GLBT and Black Caucuses, and Laura M. Esquivel, a strategist with experience in successfully building bridges between Latino/a and LGBT constituencies.
The program will work with presidential campaigns, state parties and allied organizations to ensure that LGBT Democrats are reflected in each state delegation. Pride in the Party will assist in training and advising interested individuals and in the development of delegate campaigns.
What Community Leaders are Saying about Pride in the Party:
"Pride in the Party is a hands-on opportunity to educate policymakers, regardless of their political affiliation, on the priorities of our community. This program enables advocates to actively inform the political process on issues of gender identity and expression." Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
"The more openly LGBT people serving in powerful party positions, the more likely we are to see inclusive party platforms and inclusive campaigns. National Stonewall Democrats is doing our community a great service in prioritizing this program." Dave Noble, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
"The upcoming elections will set the tone for progressive movement for decades to come. It is paramount that LGBT people play a positive and visible role. Stonewall is leading the way." H. Alexander Robinson, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
"For LGBT workers, political action is a vital element of any strategy to win protection from job discrimination, as well as to gain improved wages, better working conditions and increased job security. In 30 of the 50 states, it remains legal to discriminate against gay, lesbian and bisexual workers; in 39 states, it is legal to discriminate against transgender workers. Registering to vote and participating in the political process are essential steps for LGBT workers to break down these barriers to full inclusion in the American Dream." - Donna Cartwright, Communications Director, Pride at Work, AFL-CIO
National Stonewall Democrats has launched http://www.prideintheparty.org/ as a stand-alone website where LGBT Democrats can sign up to participate in the delegate selection process and access state-by-state information.
Overall program goals include:
- At a minimum, the election of 321 LGBT delegates, a 14% increase in the number of LGBT Democrats elected to the 2008 Democratic National Convention over 2004 numbers (282 LGBT Democrats were elected as delegates in 2004).
- The participation of LGBT Democrats in the delegations of all 50 states (42 states sent LGBT delegates in 2004).
- Increase in the participation of LGBT Democrats of color.
- Increase in the participation of LGBT youth, veterans and union members.
Most delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention will be elected by Democratic voters within their congressional district and approved by the presidential campaigns which they seek to represent. Often complex, the procedures for becoming a delegate vary greatly from state to state. Pride in the Party is an organized effort to help LGBT Democrats navigate their state's particular requirements and to run successful campaigns to win delegate positions.
Prior to the launch of Pride in the Party, National Stonewall Democrats undertook efforts to require each state Democratic Party to work toward the increased participation of LGBT Democrats within their 2008 delegations. As a result, the Rules and Bylaws of the Democratic National Committee were amended to require each state party to establish numerical goals for LGBT participation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention or implement comprehensive participation and outreach programs. Already, 47 states have established numerical goals for the participation of LGBT Democrats in 2008. Alaska, Arkansas and Mississippi have established inclusion programs but not numerical goals.
The Democratic National Convention will be held August 25 through August 28 in Denver, Colorado. It immediately follows the Stonewall Democrats National Convention, also held in Denver on August 21 - 24.
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