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Mitt Romney is a Bully and So Is His Senior Advisor

Press Release - May 11th, 2012

In the May issue of GQ magazine, a profile of Mitt Romney's senior advisor Eric Fehrnstrom sheds light on Fehrnstrom's shady past.  In a 1992 story Fehrnstrom wrote for the Boston Herald, he outed a transgender woman who had just been elected to her first term in the Massachusetts state legislature. National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, had the following response:

"Mitt Romney's a bully and now we know his senior advisor, Eric "Etch-A-Sketch" Ferhnstrom is one too. Fehrnstrom, Romney's version of Karl Rove, Ferhnstrom doesn't have the excuse of youth to explain his outing of a transgender legislator in 1992. He was a reporter for the Boston Globe who sources describe as 'gleeful' when he discovered the woman's birth certificate that proved she had been born male.

"This only goes to prove once again how closely Romney has aligned himself with anti-LGBT severe conservatives. Romney may attempt to erase his far right positions, as Fehrnstrom infamously suggested, but the facts remain clear. Whether he's allowing a gay staffer to be harangued from his position by the religious right, viciously attacking a gay student during his time at prep school, doubling down on his opposition to LGBT relationship recognition, or demanding a McCarthy-style investigation of LGBT people, Mitt Romney's anti-LGBT positions are now etched in stone."

Gay Republicans Shamelessly Attack Obama for His Support of LGBT Equality

Press Release - May 9th, 2012

Today, after President Obama's historic endorsement of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, gay Republican groups launched vicious attacks on the President's embrace of equality calling it "cold comfort" and comparing the President to former Vice President Dick Cheney. One group said the announcement was, "offensive and callous" while the other said it was "hardly a profile in courage." National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following response:

"These groups are truly shameless in their desperate attempt to provide cover for the atrociously regressive positions held by the GOP and Mitt Romney. Just today, Mitt Romney came out singing the party line expressing his complete opposition to marriage equality and civil unions. And just to drive home the point, the RNC provided Chairman Reince Priebus as a backup singer warbling the same broken tune. 

"But to invoke the name of Dick Cheney in their attacks is just surreal. Cheney was, by most accounts, the most powerful vice president in history. He had the power to order torture, wire-tapping, and got us into two wars - yet he did absolutely nothing to advance LGBT equality with that power in the entire eight years he was in office. When George Bush and Ken Mehlman - himself a closeted gay man at the time - concocted their scheme to advance a federal marriage amendment for political gain, Cheney sat idly by and did nothing to stop it.

"President Obama has done real work to advance LGBT equality and today's statement only adds to that sterling resume. What's offensive and callous is demeaning his record by comparing it to the deliberate harm caused by Republicans like Mitt Romney and Dick Cheney."

President Obama Affirms His Support of the Freedom to Marry

Press Release - May 9th, 2012

In an interview with ABC News' Robin Roberts, President Obama expressed his clear support for the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, issued the following statement:

"We applaud the President for completing his 'evolution' in support of the freedom to marry and becoming the first sitting president ever to endorse marriage equality for same-sex couples. The President joins a long and growing list of Democrats who support the freedom to marry. On days like today, I am proud to be a Democrat.

"The President's endorsement of the freedom to marry stands in stark contrast to the position of Mitt Romney. Romney, who signed the National Organization for Marriage's hateful anti-LGBT pledge, opposes marriage equality and supports a federal constitutional amendment banning marriage between same-sex couples. No longer can GOP homophobes like Romney hide behind the pretense that they share President Obama's position on the freedom to marry.

"Though many have been waiting for this day to arrive, our fight is not complete. Election day is 180 days from today and we have to redouble our efforts and prove that the President's support of marriage will not cost him at the ballot box. National Stonewall Democrats stands will be fighting every day from now until November to ensure it doesn't."

Vice President Joe Biden is "Comfortable" with Freedom to Marry; Time for President to Embrace Marriage Equality

Press Release - May 6th, 2012

Today, on NBC's Meet the Press, Vice President Joe Biden said, "I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexual men marrying women are entitled to the same exact rights," which is being touted in the media as an endorsement of marriage equality. National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following statement:

"We are proud of Vice President Joe Biden for his strong statement in support of giving our relationships the dignity and respect they deserve. On the heels of Mitt Romney's reprehensible treatment of his only gay staffer in the midst of an onslaught of attacks from the bigoted wing of the GOP, the Vice President's statement underlines the contrast between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to LGBT equality.

"While not a direct endorsement of marriage equality, the Vice President's statement is promising. What we really need now is for President Obama to take a stand in support of the freedom to marry and bring to bear the full weight of his Administration to make it reality."

Richard Grenell Resigns; Mitt Romney Stands Only for Mitt Romney

Press Release - May 1st, 2012

Following the resignation of Richard Grenell from the Mitt Romney campaign, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following statement:

"Mitt Romney's Etch-a-Sketch-style attempt to shake away his anti-LGBT stances has backfired. The hiring of openly gay Richard Grenell was a crassly cynical political move by Romney to fool LGBT voters into believing he's not as anti-gay as his statements would have you believe. Grenell's subsequent resignation after being mercilessly hounded by religious conservatives is just more proof that Mitt Romney is no friend of LGBT Americans.

"From the moment the Romney campaign announced his appointment less than two weeks ago, the cacophony of vitriol from hate groups like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association has been non-stop. Neither his qualifications for the job nor his conservative bona fides matter in the least to these rabid homophobes. All that really matters is that Grenell is gay.

"Yet through every lie, every anti-gay remark, every bit of the nastiness, Mitt Romney sat silently and let the bigoted wing of his party control his personnel choices. Either Mitt Romney is a coward who is afraid to stand up to the anti-LGBT bullies in his party, or he is fine with an America where LGBT people can have a career only if they're willing to work quietly from the confines of the closet.

"Gay Republicans should be outraged and must demand that the organizations that represent them refuse to support Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations in any way."

National Stonewall Democrats to Honor Congressman Barney Frank

Press Release - April 17th, 2012

Washington, DC - National Stonewall Democrats will honor Congressman Barney Frank with a new award named in his honor at their Capital Champions reception on April 24th, 2012 from 7-9PM. The event will be held at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC.

Each year, during our Capital Champions celebration, National Stonewall Democrats gather in Washington, DC to honor some of the champions of LGBT equality. This year's gathering will be a break from tradition as we dedicate the entire night to one special honoree - our founder, Congressman Barney Frank.

Congressman Frank is the nation's most prominent openly gay politician and has had a public career spanning 40 years. Throughout his career, he has faced unspeakable discrimination and adversity as he has tirelessly championed the most important civil rights issues of our time. His wit, intelligence, and determination have brought strength and power to the LGBT and broader civil rights communities.

National Stonewall Democrats will be presenting Congressman Frank with a newly created award named in his honor - the Barney Frank Congressional Leadership Award. Future award recipients will be Members of Congress who have shown exceptional strength and resolve on behalf of LGBT equality.

"Congressman Frank is a legend in the LGBT community," said Jerame Davis, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director. "He is fierce, determined, and says exactly what's on his mind - and we love him for it," Davis continued. "I am proud to work for an organization founded by such a true champion of equality."

"I was among the original founders of National Stonewall Democrats," said Stephen Driscoll, National Stonewall Democrats co-chair. "Barney has been there for us time and again throughout the years and we cannot thank him enough for his leadership and tenacity throughout the years. While we're sad he is retiring from Congress, we are certain we haven't heard the last from Barney Frank," concluded Driscoll.

Featured speakers for the event will include: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Jared Polis, Congressman David Cicilline, Congressman André Carson, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair and DNC Vice Chair Raymond Buckley, and DNC Treasurer Andrew Tobias. In addition, an ensemble from the Washington, DC Gay Men's Chorus, Potomac Fever, will perform.

Event Details 

Who: National Stonewall Democrats

What: Capital Champions honoring Congressman Barney Frank

Where: International Brotherhood of Teamsters - 25 Louisiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC

When: April 24th, 2012 7-9PM

Tickets are available at: www.stonewalldemocrats.org

For more information contact Jerame Davis at 202-625-1382 or jdavis@stonewalldemocrats.org

###

National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 80 local affiliates across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.

US Senator Scott Brown Insults LGBT Voters While Asking for Their Support

Press Release - April 5th, 2012

US Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) recently penned a guest editorial in New England's LGBT newspaper, Bay Windows. National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, issued the following statement in response:

"In his feeble attempt to woo LGBT voters, Scott Brown not only failed to make his case, but he also managed to insult the entire LGBT community in the process. Our community's struggle for equality is not a 'pet project'. The right to find and keep a job or the freedom to marry the person you love are fundamental to the American dream. The passage of ENDA and the repeal of DOMA are not just items on a checklist; they are wrongs that must be righted before LGBT Americans can claim anything other than second class status in our nation.

"LGBT people face a myriad of issues every day that Senator Brown will never truly understand, but he has now made it clear to the voters of Massachusetts that he simply doesn't care."

President Obama Opposes NC Marriage Amendment; GOP Candidates Toady Up to Anti-Equality Foes

Press Release - March 16th, 2012

Today, President Obama issued a statement through his campaign in North Carolina that he opposes the anti-gay Amendment 1, which seeks to ban marriage equality in the state. National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following statement in response:

"While President Obama is standing up for equality and opposing this discriminatory amendment, the presidential wannabes in the GOP are toadying up to the worst foes of the LGBT community. Mitt Romney has embraced several anti-LGBT warriors, including Frank VanderSloot and Kris Kobach. VanderSloot has spent a fortune in Idaho and elsewhere to promote his anti-LGBT agenda, including buying billboard advertisements to attack PBS for airing a pro-LGBT documentary. Kobach has ties to the proponents of the 'Kill the Gays" bill in Uganda and is the original author of the anti-immigration laws popping up in places like Arizona, Alabama, and across the South.

The differences between President Obama and his GOP rivals couldn't be more clear. Voters who care about the advancement of LGBT equality have only one candidate on the ballot in November: President Barack Obama.

"On behalf of National Stonewall Democrats, I applaud President Obama for his strong statement in support of equality for all families and denouncing the bigotry and discrimination this amendment represents."

GOP Field is Still Lackluster; President Obama Remains Best Choice for Equality

Press Release - March 6th, 2012

GOP Field is Still Lackluster; President Obama Remains Best Choice for Equality

As the results from the Super Tuesday elections continue to roll in, one thing is certain: While Republican voters are indecisively trying to choose between the worst of candidates, Democrats can rest assured that they are the big winners again tonight. With a field of nincompoops and homophobes running on the GOP ticket, President Obama clearly will be the best candidate on the ballot in November. His commitment to equality - LGBT and otherwise - has been obvious throughout his first term in office, but there's plenty of work left to do that only an Obama White House will accomplish.

National Stonewall Democrats tells Gay Republicans: Refuse to Endorse Anti-LGBT Candidates

Press Release - February 15th, 2012

Today, National Stonewall Democrats kicked off a petition campaign to urge Log Cabin Republicans to refuse to support anti-LGBT GOP Presidential candidates. 

Stonewall Democrats across the nation believe that any organization purporting to represent the interests of the LGBT community should only support candidates who stand strong with our community. In recent media reports, the leaders and members of Log Cabin Republicans have indicated a willingness to endorse Mitt Romney should he become the nominee, yet Romney - just like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich - signed a draconian anti-LGBT pledge written by a certified hate group.

"We're launching this action today to highlight the anti-LGBT rhetoric on the right and to hold accountable our friends at Log Cabin Republicans who are flirting with disaster," said Jerame Davis, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director. "Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich have all pledged to support a federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage and to launch a McCarthy-style investigation of the LGBT community for supposedly suppressing religious conservatives from 'exercising key civil rights to organize, to speak, to donate or to vote for marriage.' These candidates want to assume power so badly they're willing to crawl into the gutter with an organization that exists solely to demonize LGBT Americans and whose supporters have graphically said the 'solution to gay marriage' is a noose. 

"No purportedly pro-LGBT organization should endorse or support a presidential candidate who represents the worst of American politics," continued Davis. "Log Cabin Republicans refused to endorse George W. Bush in 2004 over his support for a federal marriage amendment. All of the top GOP candidates have made Bush look like a PFLAG Dad as they've careened to the right to attempt to sway Republican primary voters."

National Stonewall Democrats is asking supporters and concerned allies to join us in petitioning Log Cabin Republicans to rise above the partisan rhetoric and put the interests of LGBT people over the Republican political machine's desperation to defeat President Obama. Equality should never be open to debate and pro-LGBT organizations shouldn't be endorsing candidates who don't have the best interests of all Americans at heart.

"Partisan politics should never trump the constituency you represent. Log Cabin Republicans needs to hear that message loud and clear from every corner of the LGBT community," concluded Davis.

The petition can be found at Change.org: 

http://www.change.org/petitions/log-cabin-republicans-refuse-to-endorse-anti-lgbt-candidates-who-pledge-to-deny-us-equality or via the short URL: http://lgbtde.ms/w4Z6G8

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