Howard Dean eliminates GLBT Outreach Position at DNC

[IndianaGreen]

Subject: Howard Dean eliminates GLBT Outreach Position at DNC
Date: Friday, February 03, 2006 5:23:52 PM

As most of you know, Eric Stern resigned as Director of GLBT Outreach at the DNC
back in February 2005, when he became Executive Director of the Stonewall
Democrats. Unfortunately, his old position has remained vacant.

The Gay and Lesbian Americans Caucus of the Democratic National Committee made
it clear that they would like to see a new GLBT Outreach Director selected. In
their statement they asked that the DNC's pledge to maintain and fund at least
one full-time senior-level position of Director of GLBT Outreach at the DNC,
whose primary responsibility will be policy and organizing.

Well today we have our answer. Having been a strong supporter of Howard Dean,
I'm greatly saddened by this decision. If you are as mad about this as I am,
there will be an excellent opportunity to protest this decision next week.
Howard Dean will be appearing at HALO (1435 P Street, NW) from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
on Tuesday February 7th . If your are interested in gathering outside HALO to
protest this decision, please let me know.

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Dems abolish gay outreach post
Gay Democrat resigns in protest over Dean's restructuring moves

By LOU CHIBBARO JR
Friday, February 03, 2006


Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean has abolished the Democratic
Party's constituent outreach desks, including the post of director of lesbian
and gay outreach.

A DNC spokesperson said Dean replaced the outreach director positions with a new
program called the American Majority Partnership, which integrates efforts to
address the concerns of minorities into all of the DNC's departments and
offices. The little noticed move took place last year.

"It's an expansion of what we had before," said Damien LaVera, the DNC
spokesperson assigned to discuss gay rights issues.

But the former chair of the DNC's Gay & Lesbian Americans Caucus doesn't see
it that way. Gay Democratic Party activist and fundraiser Jeff Soref of New York
City said he resigned from the DNC and from his position as chair of the gay
caucus in August largely because of Dean's decision to eliminate the gay
outreach desk.

"It took us many years to win that position, have it funded and make it
effective," Soref said.

http://www.washblade.com/2006/2-3/news/national/dems.cfm

[formernaderite]

1. Pressure from others? strange decision

I don't think Dean is the only one deciding these issues. At the moment I'm shocked.

[IndianaGreen]

2. I am shocked and I would like to learn more about the rationale

It certainly sends the wrong message to the GLBT community, or perhaps it is the right message. I don't know. Who else is impacted by this?

[ncteechur]

3. Do you think Dean eliminated the position because he is anti-gay?

Of course not. If he did it to save a few bucks in salaries which can be better used in defeating repubs, do it. Yes, he might anger some. Will they jump ship? No.

[IndianaGreen]

4. No, Dean is not anti-gay but I need more information

before I can form an opinion about this. I am troubled by the way things were done. Perhaps someone in here can enlighten us.

[MuseRider]

5. My thoughts too.

Right now I am red hot angry but that is just an intitial reaction. I will hold off until I hear what this is all about.

We need all the help we can get supporting GLBT rights.

[incapsulated]

6. Unfortunately, I think the DNC takes the GLBT vote for granted, now

Much like the African American vote.

[benburch]

7. And like they take for granted the Progressive vote. nt

[HootieMcBoob]

8. It says they removed all of the outreach director positions

not just the glbt position and created a new program that the spokesperson says is an expansion of what they had before. It may or may not be a good idea. We'll need to hear more specifics but it doesn't appear to be anti-gay or anti-anything at all for that matter, just a re-organization.

[Cha]

9. THanks, Hootie!

I, personally, don't think Dean is taking one freakin' vote for granted!

[0007]

21. I don't either. Dean has his cards close to his chest.

People are reading to much into this!

[IndianaGreen]

10. Thanks, Hootie!

Like you said, it may or may not be a good idea. I am surprised that the GLBT position was left vacant for as long as it was.

[MuseRider]

12. Good.

Thanks.

I hope they are better able to get them to work together than a lot of us are. There are so many issues and many of those issues are quite different.

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Well, truthfully, if they hadn't eliminated it, we probably wouldn't

have known about it.

[Doctor_J]

15. BUt it sounds like they alienated someone important (Soref)

in the process.

[Catchawave]

11. Need more information. ~nt

[madfloridian]

13. A lot of responses to your post at Kos, IG.

Pretty sensible ones.
http://www.dailykos.com/hotlist/add/2006/2/3/194140/2006/displaystory//

[LiberalTexan]

16. Why would you protest?

We don't even have all the details yet. I'd be more inclined to find out the rationale for the reorganization than to fly off the handle as a knee-jerk reaction. IMHO.

[madfloridian]

18. And it looks like a nice event....details. More fun to knee-jerk IMHO

I would say wait until they find out more about the group. Doesn't sound to me like Dean is turning against the gay community. Sorry, but this is just getting too much.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Please Join

Governor Howard Dean
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

and

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
For an LGBT Reception

Tuesday, February 7, 2006
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Halo
1435 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

$625 – Host Committee (Contribute and/or raise $625)
$125 – Individual Ticket

Event Chairs:
Babak Movahedi * Claire Lucas * National Stonewall Democrats
Bill McColl * Young Democrats of America GLBT Caucus

Host Committee
Mario Acosta * Robin Brand * Jerry Clark * Dave DeCicco * Todd Felts
Jay Heavner * David Meadows * Christopher Neff * David Salie
Wayne Skinner * Kurt Vorndran * Cheryl Ann Welsh

[madfloridian]

17. Well, let's see. In Indiana he was protested by two groups...

anti-war (where they said he was not anti-war enough)..and anti-abortion groups. They disrupted the event so that he could hardly speak at all.

He was speaking up for Kerry and Kennedy on the filibuster there.

I see now the GLBT group is going to protest him.

Poor guy, he can't win for losing.

I notice the Washington Blade has hired on Jeff Gannon, but that seems to be overlooked in all the outrage at Dean.

I notice the minority caucuses are banding together, will post something about this. I want to find out more about the American Majority group before I say anything.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

19. I think he was misquoted with this!!

"Dean, who has long supported gay rights, disappointed some gay activists in his unsuccessful campaign for president in the 2004 Democratic primaries when he said he opposed gay marriage because marriage should be remain a union only between a man and a woman. He has rejected criticism on the topic by arguing that civil unions provide gay couples with the same rights as marriage."

What I heard him say was he supported Civil Unions but the marriage issue was to be left up to the states. He did not say he was opposed to Gay Marriage!!

[madfloridian]

20. Howard Dean declares Democratic support for gay rights

This is ridiculous when it is so obvious he is supportive. This kind of stuff is deceptive. Wonder if the Blade's Jeff Gannon, whom they hired on, in involved in this. This is a statement from last year. Let's not go overboard.

http://ec.gayalliance.org/articles/001081.shtml#top

June 23, 2005

Howard Dean declares Democratic support for gay rights
by Susan Jordan

Washington, D.C. - In honor of the 2005 Pride month Celebration, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean will attend an event on Thursday, June 23 in New York City with the LGBT community and issued the following statement:

“It has been 36 years since Pride month established its roots during a turbulent weekend in New York City. Since the Stonewall Rebellion, our country has taken tremendous strides towards securing equal rights for all Americans. Democrats across the country are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the LGBT community, and are honored to join the millions of Americans who will celebrate this month. Alongside you we renew our commitment to facing the challenges still ahead.

“The Democratic Party has a long and proud history in the fight for civil rights. We are the party that has always believed in equal rights under the law for all people, and we will continue to fight until every American, including our family and friends in the LGBT community, is treated with the respect and equality they deserve.

“There’s no place in civil discourse for hate and discrimination. America deserves better. Democrats support full and total inclusion of LGBT persons and their families into the life of our nation. We believe in equality for all families. We support the right of gay and lesbian Americans to serve openly in our military. We support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to allow all Americans to work without fear of being fired because of their sexual orientation. We support further LGBT health research. Our nation’s most sacred document, the United States Constitution, is intended to expand liberties, not limit them; and we will fight any attempt to use our Constitution to discriminate for political gain.

“The Democratic Party is proud to stand with the LGBT community, not just during Pride Month, but every month, of every year.”