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The results of the survey can be found here (pdf).
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This month, many Americans this week will begin receiving an economic stimulus payment. You may have received yours already.
As the stimulus is designed to grow the economy, I encourage you to use a portion of your rebate to do the one thing that will ensure our economy begins to recover - help elect Democrats to public office.
You probably know that Stonewall Democrats are already working in dozens of communities to elect Democrats to office. Our efforts have shaped our Democratic field - at the local, state and national levels - into the most progressive and pro-LGBT slate in the history of the Democratic Party. We have worked to make the Democratic Party better and because of this our Democratic candidates are better prepared to win - and lead.
Please take a moment now to:
- Make a one-time gift of $100, $300, $600 (but any size helps) to help elect Democrats.
- Make a recurring contribution by simply selecting the monthly option. Your recurring gift will grant you automatic enrollment as a member in our Constitution Club which will help stimulate Democratic growth each month.
This year, I have been sharing some of the exciting victories we have been able to accomplish with your help. Throughout the summer, I will be sure to provide additional updates about the important work we are doing right now to elect a record number of pro-LGBT Democrats in 2008.
Thank you so much for helping to elect more pro-LGBT Democrats in 2008!
Sincerely,
Jon Hoadley
Executive Director
$125 Individual 
Carol Fowler is Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. As Chair, she has shaped the SCDP into one of the leading advocates of LGBT equality among all state parties.
Don Fowler is the former Chair of the Democratic National Committee. As a DNC Member, he continues to push Democratic organizations to advocate for equality.
As President of UNITE HERE!, John Wilhelm is an innovative union leader leading nearly a million members, and consistently winning protections and benefits for LGBT workers.
Openly gay Ca$$idy is one of DC's premier dj's. Frequently featured in Miami and New York, she can be found in residence at BeBar, Rock & Roll Hotel, and each Friday at Town.
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary
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Constitution Club Contest: You Can Win!
Since 1998, National Stonewall Democrats has grown from an informal association of Democratic clubs into one of the most effective national networks of grassroots advocates. To celebrate 10 years of dynamic growth, we are offering you a chance to win hotel packages to our 10th Anniversary Celebration & National Convention in Denver courtesy of our Constitution Club program.
About the Constitution Club
Our Constitution Club is our monthly giving program with exclusive benefits. Monthly giving is the most cost-effective way to support grassroots organizing, improve the Democratic Party, and elect to office even more fair-minded Democrats. Members automatically donate each month through an established credit or debit card.
How You Can Win
You can win the following packages to our Denver Convention (held immediately prior to the Democratic National Convention) for the following:
1) Greatest number of new Constitution Club members recruited!
The individual who signs up the greatest number of new Constitution Club members (a minimum of $10/month per person) between now and May 15, 2008 will receive one free hotel night at our host hotel.
2) Greatest amount raised in new monthly donors!
The individual who signs up the greatest total amount in new monthly contributions (regardless of the number of Constitution Club members) between now and May 15, 2008 will receive two free hotel nights at our host hotel.
3) Raising/Contributing at least $5,000 in total donations!
Individuals who donate or raise at least $5,000 by May 15, 2008 will receive three free hotel nights at our host hotel.
To participate, simply email your first and last name to:
contact - @ -stonewalldemocrats.org
You'll receive a detailed contest package with your dedicated fundraising link which will directly track your contributions raised. The link you receive can be emailed to your friends and family. We'll make recruiting new Constitution Club members easy!
We will be opening our registration shortly. In the meantime, you can sign up to receive convention information here.
]]>"Our work at Stonewall Democrats is ensuring that LGBT issues are not overlooked by our party nominee during the general election," said Jon Hoadley, Execective Director. "We expect to have a nominee that understands that providing equal support for every American is a winning position. We began engaging our campaigns in the small towns of New Hampshire and South Carolina nearly two years ago, and today Stonewall Democrats are already organized and pressing campaign representatives on LGBT issues in upcoming primary contests such as South Dakota and Puerto Rico."
In addition to Chelsea Clinton and Jon Hoadley, representatives of the Clinton and Obama campaigns appeared at the Stonewall Democrats event last night at Woody's Bar & Grill in Philadelphia to talk with members of the Liberty City Democratic Club, the Stonewall Democrats chapter in Philadelphia.
"Both campaigns understand how organized LGBT voters are in Pennsylvania, and we have seen an impressive engagement of our community by the Clinton and Obama campaigns," said Rue Landau, Co-Chair of the Liberty City Democratic Club, the Stonewall Democrats chapter in Philadelphia. "More importantly, we have helped campaign representatives see how vocal support for LGBT issues is crucial to securing a general election victory in Pennsylvania come November."
National Stonewall Democrats has conducted a series of trainings and events for the LGBT community to directly engage the Democratic presidential candidates and campaigns on LGBT issues. Last Month, National Stonewall Democrats, in conjunction with the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, conducted three town hall forums in Cleveland, Dallas and Houston with the Clinton and Obama presidential campaigns prior to the Ohio and Texas primaries. In 2007, Stonewall Democrats hosted presidential candidates at its national trainings in Nevada and New Hampshire and significantly organized the LGBT community in South Carolina prior to the presidential primary there.
National Stonewall Democrats plans to hold a follow-up conference call as part of a series of house parties the first week of June. The call will prepare members to organize ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Individuals interested in hosting a house party my register at: www.stonewalldemocrats.org/party
]]>Sam wrote the following for The Huffington Post:
To HUD Sec., Katrina is Anyone Else's Fault
The Huffington Post by Sam Hodge
(First posted August 08, 2007)
I arrived in Washington, DC in May and spent my summer working for a progressive organization. In the microcosm of my workplace, I felt like I was making a difference -my organization was helping make an America we could all celebrate. Was I naïve? Probably.
]]> On Monday, I was invited to eat lunch with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson. Although this was an intimate lunch with only five people present, this was not a private lunch. Jackson is an alumnus of my school, Truman State University, and wanted to meet with current Truman State students who were interning in DC. Upon arriving at his spacious office, he boasted that he has the "best view" of all the cabinet members. We took photos and quickly left his office and settled down to a catered lunch in an adjoining room. Our place setting had three forks. I only needed one, so I eyed what the other Truman State interns did with the superfluous forks and used the one on the outside.Secretary Jackson immediately embarked on a long diatribe about the most important lesson we should learn while interning in DC. The lesson: It's not about what you know, but about "who you know." He told us to keep up our relationships with fellow interns because one day one of them might be an influential businessman, lawmaker or even President! But I wondered: what about skill, talent and ability? Do these factors matter or is it just about who you know?
These discussions led to a conversation about how Secretary Jackson became the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Jackson explained his long journey from his ambitions to be a superintendent of a school district to leading HUD. His biography was quickly told and punctuated only by his admission of an ever-increasing salary throughout the 80's and 90's. Several times he digressed and reminisced about "rolling in dough" when he worked for an energy company in the mid-90's. Where I come from salaries (money in general) are not considered polite conversation, but Secretary Jackson didn't share these qualms and instead expressed his enormous pride in his gigantic bank account. It was then when I was reminded of the context of this conversation. This is HUD right? Where our government promises to house the poor? Jackson's boastful admissions about salary and self-worth spoke volumes about his disconnect with the working class and working poor that depend on the services his department offers.
After a half-hour discussion of his salary and the development of his close, personal relationship with President George W. Bush, I asked the Secretary what was his favorite part of his job. I expected a canned answer about "bettering people's lives," but instead, Secretary Jackson said that his favorite part of the job was "going to Camp David." I laughed awkwardly and asked what else he liked about being Secretary. He then said, "Flying on Air Force One - you can order anything on that plane!" He wasn't kidding. Jackson never spoke about impacting people's lives and making America a better place to live. At this point I felt the need to identify myself as the National Political Affairs Director for the College Democrats of America and as a young, gay progressive. When I made this admission the Secretary's body language changed, his eyes got a little bigger. I did not share the same political leanings as the RNC intern or the Heritage Foundation intern that were also sitting at the dining table. I asked the Secretary about extending protections against discrimination against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender tenants in the Fair Housing Act, but he stated he "didn't make policy."
I really was naive. Here I was thinking that my work made a difference and in comes Secretary Jackson to explain the real ways of Washington. I then asked the Secretary what his greatest achievement was this year. He remarked that it was "not having a scandal." He added that historically HUD has had a lot of scandals. Is that a great achievement? In the America of Tom Delay, Bob Ney, Jack Abramoff and Mark Foley, maybe "not having a scandal" is a success for Republicans in power.
But, Secretary Jackson wasn't done. The five of us (four Truman State Interns and the Secretary) began discussing politics and the upcoming presidential election. Jackson exclaimed that, "if the Communist Party still existed, [Barack] Obama would be a Communist."
Secretary Jackson then argued that it was Democrats in New Orleans who failed their citizens during Hurricane Katrina, not the federal government. He said that the federal government was prepared to go in much earlier, but Louisiana Democrats blocked their efforts. Secretary Jackson continued to say that the Lower Ninth Ward wasn't their fault, but the fault of 30 years of "incompetent" leadership from African-American elected officials in New Orleans. He stressed that the African-American community should see themselves as individuals, not a "class," and went so far as to say that African-Americans are "doctrinated" (his word, not mine) to vote Democratic.
Secretary Jackson believes in a politics that glorifies "who you know," not what you believe, how talented you are, or your commitment to this country. It's hard to remain optimistic or hopeful about government when political appointees are the result of a modern day spoils system. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development should be a household name. His or her impact should be profound, or at least noteworthy. States throughout our country are still seething from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. The housing market is shaky at best and the rise in home foreclosures is troubling. In such a crucial time, don't we deserve public servants less interested in catered meals and presidential hideaways and more concerned with housing Americans and healing the racial and economic wounds of Hurricane Katrina?
But hey, maybe I'm just naïve.
(end)
]]>If you would like to host a house party, click here and we will send you more information.
Jon Hoadley
Executive Director
Featured EventWe are proud to partner with the Southern Arizona Stonewall Democrats on our National Training this May in Tucson. The training will equip members with the resources and tools they need to successfully operate in grassroots organizing, fundraising and party policy.
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn
4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85714
Phone: (520) 746-1161*
Mention "Stonewall Democrats" for our rate of $82/night
(or $112/night for a suite)
Your sponsorship will enable us to grow our event, attract new members and subsidize student participation.
In gratitude for your gift, we will include your name on training materials, provide recognition throughout the weekend and supply complimentary VIP access to our ticketed events throughout the weekend - including the VIP Reception with former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts. There will be party officials from all across the country attending this event and we are looking to folks like you to help make this event a success.
There will be a private reception on Thursday evening with Governor Roberts for major donors and the Board members of the National Stonewall Democrats and the Southern Arizona Stonewall Democrats so that you will have an opportunity to discuss with them on a more intimate basis the wonderful work they are doing to make 2008 a year of continuing successes for the Democratic Party.
We sincerely hope that you will become a major donor for this event and will join us for the exciting events during the conference. If you are unable to attend any of the conference activities, but would still like to be a major donor, the tickets offered to you will be made available to students and other Democrats who would otherwise not be able to attend these activities.
We look forward to your supportive response and a successful conference. Thank you for your consideration. For your convenience, a major donor form is also attached.
You can place your sponsorship by clicking here
Sincerely,
Jonathan Rothschild & Les Krambeal
Southern Arizona Stonewall Democrats
Join us in Washington, DC for our next volunteer night on Wednesday, April 9th. Its a great way to meet other Stonewall Democrats and help out our national efforts.
Dinner is on us. Depending on everyone's mood, we generally go for pizza or Chinese take-out.
Our volunteer night takes place at our national offices on Thomas Circle (next to the Washington Plaza hotel). For more information, feel free to contact us in the office at: (202) 625-1382.
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National Training
May 8-11 - Tucson, AZ
June House Parties
June 5 - Across the Nation
Capitol Champions
May 27 - Washington, DC
Stonewall Convention
August 21-24 - Denver, CO
