Stonewall Statement on Ruling Regarding Lesbian Candidate
(Friday, August 25, 2006)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement regarding a vote by a preliminary committee of the Alabama Democratic Party to invalidate the Democratic primary victory of Patricia Todd for the District 54 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives:
"The voters of District 54 have made it clear that Patricia Todd is the best choice, indeed she is their choice, to represent them in the Alabama House of Representatives. The Alabama Democratic Party should honor the choice of the people and heed their voice in this matter. We cannot call ourselves Democrats if we do not honor the Democratic process." - Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director
Patricia Todd was elected by the Democratic voters of District 54 to represent them as their nominee in the general election contest in November. No Republican filed to run in the heavily-Democratic district. If the will of the people is upheld, Todd will become the first openly-gay elected official in the history of Alabama.
Patricia Todd is the founder, and former president, of the Stonewall Democrats of Birmingham. She is a long-time community and HIV/AIDS activist in the city. Todd was the top vote getter in the initial Democratic primary and a special run-off election where she was endorsed by all three of her former opponents for the nomination.
The Alabama Democratic Party will meet on Saturday to determine the nominee of the Democratic Party for District 54. National Stonewall Democrats is urging the party to follow the will of the people by nominating Patricia Todd.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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