Voter Outreach

In the seven years since the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County started, we have become a major player in Democratic Party election efforts. In 2012, our organization played an important role in elections at the municipal, county, state and federal levels. Our efforts made a significant difference in helping to elect Democrats all the way down the ballot.

• During the year, our Elections Committee interviewed Democratic candidates for municipal, county, state, and congressional offices — which lead to our endorsement of over 20 pro-equality candidates.

• We held two successful fundraising events for our endorsed candidates and raised nearly $15,000 — a record amount! This included over $4,000 to candidates from our Stonewall PAC and over $10,000 in direct contributions from individuals.

• Our members made over 10,000 phone calls on behalf of our endorsed candidates and we emailed our list of endorsed candidates to our contacts to increase pro-equality voter turnout.

• With a grant from the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, we printed 5,000 slate cards promoting our endorsed candidates that we mailed to our contact list and distributed at LGBT events and in community locations.

• We ran an ad supporting our endorsed candidates in the Watermark newspaper and went door-to-door to support the return of vote-by-mail ballots from our friends and allies.

Community Involvement and Education

As part of its mission, the Stonewall Democrats help to educate elected officials, candidates, Party leaders, our friends and allies, and the general public about issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

• Our 2012 efforts were supported by a record number of members — including strong participation by Democratic elected officials, candidates, and straight allies.

• The Stonewall Democrats sponsored St. Pete Pride. At the festival, we distributed information about our endorsed candidates and our booth featured a game highlighting Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s “flip flops” on issues.

• Our members were well represented as delegates to the State Democratic Convention, and several were subsequently elected to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC.

• The chapter and its members contributed time, talent and funds to support the Pinellas Democratic Party. Several of our members serve in key leadership positions within the county party.

• Our members supported the Florida Democratic GLBT Caucus, served in leadership positions, and participated at the Caucus’ winter conference in Tampa.

• Members organized local fundraising events for LGBT candidates from — Tampa, Orlando, and Key West.

• The Stonewall Democrats were a promotional sponsor for the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) and ran an on-screen advertisement during the St. Petersburg film screenings.

• We supported and lobbied for adoption of domestic partner benefits proposals for the city of St. Petersburg (adopted) and for Pinellas County (adopted).

• We co-hosted a forum on transgender issues, and also helped educate local elected officials and candidates about transgender issues.

• Our event, “Drinking Democratically, Demanding Equality,” celebrated President Obama’s support for marriage equality and gave the community an opportunity to meet our local pro-equality candidates. Saunders Law (a Professional Member) sponsored the event.

• We organized well-attended events at the Flamingo Resort to watch the presidential and vice presidential debates.

• We held a very successful Annual Holiday Party at Beaks Old Florida Tavern attended by many of our Democratic elected officials and Party leaders. Rick Kriseman and Lucas, Green & Magazine (a Professional Member) sponsored the party.

Gay Democrats Celebrate a Newfound Visibility
By ADAM NAGOURNEY

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After years of struggling for attention and recognition from the nation’s political parties, gays and lesbians have catapulted to the forefront of the Democratic convention here, prominent on the stage, in speeches, in the platform and at parties that go on after the proceedings have finished.

The turnaround has surprised even gay leaders, who just four years ago were frustrated in their attempt to get same-sex marriage mentioned in prime time. Many spent the first two years of the Obama presidency criticizing President Obama for failing to move to fulfill a campaign promise to eliminate the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

“I have certainly never attended a convention where visibility is as significant as it has been at this convention,” said Representative Tammy Baldwin, a gay Wisconsin Democrat who is running for the Senate and is set to address the convention on Thursday. “There is amazing progress to celebrate.”

Eric Marcus, an author who has written extensively about gay history, said: “I used to think I was bold in being as out as I am, but now I feel like our straight supporters have zoomed past me in their enthusiasm and their out-ness about being pro-gay. They’re actually wearing their pro-gay agenda as a badge of honor. What a transformed world from my youth.”

To read the entire article, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/06/us/politics/gay-democrats-celebrate-a-newfound-visibility.html?_r=3

Washington, DC – National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) announced today it has identified at least 534 official LGBT participants for the 2012 Democratic National Committee Convention in Charlotte, NC next week. This record number of participants represents a marked increase in LGBT participation from four years ago in Denver where just over 350 LGBT participants were identified.

“What an amazing and inspiring convention this will be,” said Jerame Davis, Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats. “With over 530 LGBT participants identified for this year’s convention, we not only set a new record for LGBT participation in a national convention, we have sent the clearest message possible that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion.”

“Dedicated activists,” continued Davis, “including those at the DNC and National Stonewall Democrats, made this historic moment possible by doggedly insisting that LGBT people have a seat at the table and by demonstrating the strength our community can bring to party politics. We didn’t sit around wishing for a better Party, we made the Party better for LGBT people.”

Pride in the Party, National Stonewall Democrats’ program to increase LGBT participation at conventions and within the various state and national Democratic Party organizations, was launched in 2007 with director Rick Boylan at the helm. Boylan, who currently consults for the DNC, added some broader context to this year’s record LGBT delegation:

“You cannot overstate the critical role presidential campaigns play in working with state parties and Democratic leaders to meet the demographic goals set by state parties,” said Boylan. “The Obama campaign understands that the LGBT community is a key constituency in the 2012 election. Their support for the community and the issues important to LGBT Americans will help reelect the president and elect Democrats down the ballot in all states.”

“An increase in the number of LGBT delegates is only the tip of the iceberg,” continued Boylan. “By ensuring an open and inclusive delegate selection process, state Democratic Party organizations are witnessing an increase in LGBT involvement in Democratic campaigns, as well as Democratic organizing and fundraising activities. As the Party has expanded its outreach to the LGBT community, the community has expanded its involvement in the Party. We are seeing better working relationships with elected officials and more interest in pro-equality legislation at all levels of government.”

2012 Democratic National Convention LGBT Participation by the Numbers

Total LGBT Participants: 534

LGBT Delegates: 486 (116.27% of goal; 8.15% of the 5963 total delegates expected in Charlotte.)
LGBT Alternates: 23
LGBT Committee Members: 20
LGBT Pages: 5

Jurisdictions that met or exceeded goal: 38
Jurisdictions that missed their goal: 15
Jurisdictions that met or exceeded their 2008 LGBT participation: 44
Transgender participants: 11 (7 delegates, 3 committee members, 1 alternate)

To read more goto: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/node/1535

A Romney Administration Would Spell Disaster for Gay and Transgender Americans
By Jeff Krehely and Crosby Burns

In 1994 Mitt Romney professed that “if we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern.” Unfortunately that Mitt Romney is not running for president. Today’s Mitt Romney has repackaged himself as a candidate opposed to laws and policies that advance equality for gays and lesbians, all as an appeal to socially conservative voters.

In fact, if elected president in 2012, Gov. Romney’s administration would actively institute a host of laws and policies that would make the United States less equal for gay and transgender Americans. He would reverse years of progress that have leveled the playing field for gay and transgender Americans. And he would even work to enshrine discrimination into the Constitution with a harmful antigay federal amendment clearly intended to curtail rights, not extend them.

To read the entire article goto: http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/lgbt/report/2012/07/31/11814/perpetuating-inequality/

Longtime GOP Congressman C.W. Bill Young chided for role in anti-gay Johns Committee

Democrat Jessica Ehrlich is running for U.S. House in Florida’s 10th Congressional District (Pinellas County) against longtime incumbent Republican C.W. Bill Young.

Today, Ehrlich’s campaign has resurrected Young’s involvement a half-century ago in the infamous Johns Committee, which persecuted civil rights groups and gay Floridians in the late 1950s and early ’60s.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2012/08/longtime-gop-congressman-cw-bill-young-chided-for-role-in-anti-gay-johns-committee.html#storylink=cpy

The endorsement came after an extensive candidate screening process. Our political committee reviewed information provided by the candidates utilizing our questionnaire. Also, the committee met with each of the individuals to assess their commitment to equality for all Floridians and their viability in the upcoming election.

The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County voted to endorse the following candidates:

Congressional Candidates:
Jonathan Snow – Congressional District 12
Jessica Ehrlich – Congressional District 13

County Candidates:
Scott Swope – Pinellas County Sheriff
Janet Long – County Commissioner, Dist 1
Charlie Justice – County Commissioner, Dist 3
Ken Welch – County Commissioner, Dist 7

State House Candidates:
Carl Zimmerman – Dist. 65
Mary Lou Ambrose – Dist. 66
Benn Farrell – Dist. 67
Dwight Dudley – Dist. 68
Josh Shulman – Dist. 69

School Board Candidates:
Janet Clark – Dist. 1
Rene Flowers – Dist. 7

Mayor of Dunedin:
Bob Hackworth

Although the Stonewall Democrats cannot make endorsements in the Pinellas County 2012 judicial elections, we can make the following recommendations:

Please vote NO on the amendments and vote YES to retain the three Supreme Court Justices.

Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County is devoted to advancing equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As a Democratic organization, SDPC will work with the Democratic Party and support fair-minded Democratic leaders and candidates who support our mission. Our organization’s strength comes from Pinellas County lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and allied Democrats working together.

Preventing bullying and hate crimes against LGBT Americans
Supporting LGBT families
Ensuring equal access to housing for LGBT families
Supporting LGBT health
Supporting job creation among LGBT-owned businesses
Setting precedents in hiring and benefits for LGBT Americans
Repealing the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Law
Providing global leadership on LGBT issues

Foe more information go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/lgbtfactsheet.pdf

Check it out!

The Office of the Press Secretary at The White House released this proclamation signed by President Barack Obama declaring June 2011 LGBT Pride Month.  Click the link at the bottom of this post for a PDF version of the statement!

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 31, 2011

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2011

- – - – - – -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The story of America’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community is the story of our fathers and sons, our mothers and daughters, and our friends and neighbors who continue the task of making our country a more perfect Union. It is a story about the struggle to realize the great American promise that all people can live with dignity and fairness under the law. Each June, we commemorate the courageous individuals who have fought to achieve this promise for LGBT Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Since taking office, my Administration has made significant progress towards achieving equality for LGBT Americans. Last December, I was proud to sign the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. With this repeal, gay and lesbian Americans will be able to serve openly in our Armed Forces for the first time in our Nation’s history. Our national security will be strengthened and the heroic contributions these Americans make to our military, and have made throughout our history, will be fully recognized.

My Administration has also taken steps to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans in Federal housing programs and to give LGBT Americans the right to visit their loved ones in the hospital. We have made clear through executive branch nondiscrimination policies that discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the Federal workplace will not be tolerated. I have continued to nominate and appoint highly qualified, openly LGBT individuals to executive branch and judicial positions. Because we recognize that LGBT rights are human rights, my Administration stands with advocates of equality around the world in leading the fight against pernicious laws targeting LGBT persons and malicious attempts to exclude LGBT organizations from full participation in the international system. We led a global campaign to ensure “sexual orientation” was included in the United Nations resolution on extrajudicial execution — the only United Nations resolution that specifically mentions LGBT people — to send the unequivocal message that no matter where it occurs, state-sanctioned killing of gays and lesbians is indefensible. No one should be harmed because of who they are or who they love, and my Administration has mobilized unprecedented public commitments from countries around the world to join in the fight against hate and homophobia.

At home, we are working to address and eliminate violence against LGBT individuals through our enforcement and implementation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. We are also working to reduce the threat of bullying against young people, including LGBT youth.

My Administration is actively engaged with educators and community leaders across America to reduce violence and discrimination in schools. To help dispel the myth that bullying is a harmless or inevitable part of growing up, the First Lady and I hosted the first White House Conference on Bullying Prevention in March. Many senior Administration officials have also joined me in reaching out to LGBT youth who have been bullied by recording “It Gets Better” video messages to assure them they are not alone.

This month also marks the 30th anniversary of the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has had a profound impact on the LGBT community. Though we have made strides in combating this devastating disease, more work remains to be done, and I am committed to expanding access to HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Last year, I announced the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. This strategy focuses on combinations of evidence-based approaches to decrease new HIV infections in high risk communities, improve care for people living with HIV/AIDS, and reduce health disparities. My Administration also increased domestic HIV/AIDS funding to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and HIV prevention, and to invest in HIV/AIDS-related research. However, government cannot take on this disease alone. This landmark anniversary is an opportunity for the LGBT community and allies to recommit to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and continuing the fight against this deadly pandemic. 

Every generation of Americans has brought our Nation closer to fulfilling its promise of equality. While progress has taken time, our achievements in advancing the rights of LGBT Americans remind us that history is on our side, and that the American people will never stop striving toward liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

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President Barack Obama’s LGBT Pride Month Proclamation