Stonewall Democrats Host Campaign Town Halls
(Tuesday, February 19, 2007)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats announced two statewide town hall meetings between the Clinton and Obama campaigns and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities of Ohio and Texas. The forums will be facilitated by National Stonewall Democrats and will be held next Monday, February 25 in Dallas and Tuesday, February 26 in Cleveland.
"Our network of Stonewall Democrats chapters in Ohio and Texas serve as two of the largest Democratic operations in each state," said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director of the National Stonewall Democrats. "The work of these chapters are well-respected by party leaders as their efforts routinely result in victories for fair-minded candidates. However, we know that we must also use the influence of our grassroots advocates not only to elect Democrats but to propel our Democratic candidates into a deeper commitment to LGBT issues. That is why we are proud that the Clinton and Obama campaigns have agreed to directly engage our community once more ahead of the March 4th primaries."
National Stonewall Democrats, in conjunction with the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and the Ohio Stonewall Democrats, will conduct two back-to-back town hall forums next week with the Clinton and Obama presidential campaigns. On Monday evening, February 25, the Dallas Stonewall Democrats will host chapters from across the state at a town hall event at Station 4 in the Oaklawn neighborhood. The following night on Tuesday, February 26, the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats will host members from across Ohio for a town hall event and debate watch party at the Trinity Cathedral across the street from Cleveland State University - the site of the Democratic presidential debate that night.
"In order to capture the White House, a Democratic candidate must be able to successfully argue their support for equality before any audience, and Ohio offers our presidential campaigns the opportunity to engage our community directly in the heart of America," said Keli Zehnder, President of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats. "The issues that impact Ohio also land on the kitchen tables of our community."
"We have already seen both the Clinton and Obama campaigns aggressively engage our members throughout Texas," said Jesse Garcia, President of the Dallas Stonewall Democrats. "Democrats understand that the LGBT community in Texas is one of our country's most diverse. We are represented in both rural and urban areas and are deeply rooted within traditional Democratic communities in Texas such as Asian American, African American and Latino voters."
National Stonewall Democrats Presidential Town Hall
- Dallas, Texas
Presented in conjunction with the Texas Stonewall Democrats
and with the participation of the Dallas Voice
Monday, February 25 - 7:00pm Central
Station 4 - 3911 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75219
Jon Hoadley, Executive Director of Stonewall Democrats
Mark Walsh, National LGBT Director for the Clinton campaign
Tobias Wolff, Senior LGBT Adviser for the Obama campaign
Additional speakers to be announced
National Stonewall Democrats Presidential Town Hall
- Cleveland, Ohio
Presented in conjunction with the Ohio Stonewall Democrats
and with the participation of the Gay People's Chronicle
Tuesday, February 26 - 8:00pm Eastern
Trinity Cathedral - 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
Jon Hoadley, Executive Director of Stonewall Democrats
National Clinton campaign representative (Campaign confirmed, Representative TBD)
Matt Nosanchuck, National LGBT Adviser for the Obama campaign
Additional speakers to be announced
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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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