National Stonewall Democrats began organizing ahead of the South Carolina presidential primary nearly two years ago. In 2006, the Stonewall Democrats placed staff on the ground to assist local advocates in campaigning against an anti-marriage ballot initiative. The close relationships initiated during that process helped the group grow throughout the Palmetto State.

"I think presidential candidates expect to encounter our community at black-tie events on the Upper West Side, but not necessarily on historically Black college campuses in Orangeburg, South Carolina," said Rev. Dr. Keith L. Riddle, President of the South Carolina Stonewall Democrats. "Our presence this season has demonstrated that our community is everywhere and that Democratic politicians should be prepared to address hard questions and issues that impact our families no matter where they find themselves."

It was important to National Stonewall Democrats to organize early in South Carolina during the presidential primary season. During this time the group chartered the South Carolina Stonewall Democrats and the new chapter which quickly worked to organize advocates at the South Carolina Democratic Party state convention to meet with presidential campaigns. It followed by organizing a presence at the famous Congressman Jim Clyburn Fish Fry, where members spoke about local LGBT issues before the national media, presidential candidates and Democratic staffers from across the country.

Efforts Required Presidential Campaigns to Focus on LGBT Communities of Color

South Carolina also presented a unique opportunity to engage presidential campaigns on issues that specifically impact LGBT African Americans. Working with the International Federation of Black Prides, Stonewall Democrats were able to secure the participation of presidential campaigns and the Democratic Party in the South Carolina Black Pride celebration in Columbia. Additionally, the Stonewall Democrats organized alongside the College Democrats of America to highlight before presidential candidates in South Carolina the intersection of the LGBT, African American and youth communities.

"At one point, every person who credentialed a member of the media at our first presidential debate happened to be a Stonewall Democrat," said Riddle. "The South Carolina Democratic Party knew that and we made sure that the press staff of the presidential campaigns appreciated that our presence was just about everywhere as well."

Long-Lasting Impact: Group to Impact State Politics Beyond Election Day

For the Stonewall Democrats, organizing ahead of the presidential primary in South Carolina was seen as a more long term project than the current nominating contest. It was an opportunity to change Democratic politics in the state beyond January 26. The group channeled the enthusiasm of LGBT Democrats to organize around presidential campaigns into a series of actions which ultimately changed the way that South Carolina Democrats relate to the LGBT community. Members campaigned in support of new state party chair Carol Fowler whose election to that post was intstrumental in adopting new rules which require a greater participation of the LGBT community in party politics and within the delegation the state sends to the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this year.

After the presidential primary, the Stonewall Democrats now look to continue to grow throughout the Palmetto State. One of the next projects to be undertaken by local members is organizing LGBT Democrats in every congressional district as delegates to the next state Democratic party convention. There, the group expects that its organizing efforts will result in positive changes to the state party platform on LGBT issues.

Outside of South Carolina, the presidential nominating season has enabled National Stonewall Democrats to engage presidential campaigns on a deeper level than in years past. The group has conducted trainings and media events in Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina which has allowed National Stonewall Democrats to work with partner organizations to highlight LGBT issues within the campaigns and before the press.

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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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