National Stonewall Democrats Facing Serious Budget Gap; May Be Forced to Close Doors

Press Release - December 5th, 2012

Today, National Stonewall Democrats sent an email to their members and supporters detailing a more than $30,000 budget gap for the year and the danger that the deficit may force the organization to close its doors. The text of the email, authored by NSD Executive Director Jerame Davis, is included below. Mr. Davis is available for comment as well at 317-213-4148 or jdavis@stonewalldemocrats.org

------------------------------------------------------------

Friend,

This has been an amazing year, hasn't it? A record number of LGBT people were elected to Congress as well as state and local positions. The first lesbian US Senator, the first bisexual, and the first gay person of color in Congress were all major milestones on our journey toward full equality. The biggest milestone, of course, was the reelection of President Obama - the first president to support full marriage equality.

National Stonewall Democrats has been at the forefront of these advances since 1998 when Congressman Barney Frank and LGBT activists founded our organization. Since that time, we've helped lead the Democratic Party to support for full LGBT equality - including the freedom to marry - culminating in a record 550 LGBT delegates at this year's Democratic National Convention. It has truly been a banner year for the LGBT community.

We Must Bridge the Gap

At this point in our organization's history, however, National Stonewall Democrats is facing one of the biggest challenges to date. It's no secret that we've struggled with fundraising over the past few years, but today we are at a crossroads and we're turning to you - our members and supporters.

For the second year in a row, our income has not met expectations. In 2011, we were able to offset the downturn by cutting costs - staff, services, programs; we cut everything to the bare essentials. We saw an uptick in funding at the beginning of 2012 as our renewed messaging and mission focus invigorated new and former donors, but as the campaigns heated up, donors were pulled in many directions and we felt the impact.

As the year closes, we're facing a budget deficit of over $30,000 and if we do not bridge this gap, we will likely be forced to close our doors.

We didn't come to this conclusion lightly or quickly. When the board appointed me as executive director a year ago, we took a long, hard look at the entire organization and we realized that, although the political landscape had changed dramatically since our founding in 1998, our organization hadn't changed much. We set out to fix that.

In addition to trimming our budget to the essentials, we revisited our mission and purpose and we have great plans for the future. We retooled our messaging to be more bold and direct. We rekindled old partnerships and started building new ones to expand our coalition of pro-LGBT allies. We re-engaged with our chapters and helped start new ones in places where none had previously existed. Even with reduced staffing and funding, we have had a year full of progress.

Our Work is Essential

National Stonewall Democrats has a unique position in our movement as an integral part of the Democratic Party's social justice coalition. In order to fulfill that role, the nature of our work must change to adapt to the political realities we face. Our success in traditionally progressive states - the "blue states" - has led us to many vicotories, but the less progressive states - the "red states" - have lagged behind.

In far too many places, the Democratic Party structures at the state and local level maintain a less than hospitable attitude toward LGBT equality and they are holding us back. In places where there are few openly LGBT elected officials and/or party leaders, stagnation and intransigence has taken hold. These "red states" are where Stonewall Democrats are needed most and can have the most impact.

Our goals are simple:

  • Expand into the 22 states where there are no Stonewall Democrats affiliates while growing our existing membership
  • Grow the ranks of pro-equality Democrats in elected and appointed positions by recruiting, positioning, and supporting LGBT leaders who run for elective office or who seek appointments within the Democratic Party
  • Assist new leaders to be effective organizers and operatives through training, coaching, and leveraging our network in support of their efforts

All of this work will revolve around three essential core functions for which we are uniquely qualified and positioned to carry out:  

  • Communications - Developing and disseminating strong messaging and communications in support of pro-equality Democrats 
  • Advocacy - Lobbying, educating, and advising Democrats regarding issues important to LGBT people and holding the Party and its members accountable to the ideals laid out in the party platform
  • Coalition Building - continuing to build and strengthen our relationships with other Democratic Party constituencies, such as labor, immigration, and women

Our Future is Up to You

We will never be a huge multi-million dollar organization - and we don't need to be - but we do need the resources to complete this important work.

That's where you come in. If everyone receiving this email contributed just $5, we could retire our debt and have a nice cushion going into the new year. If everyone gave $10, we could pay off the debt and have nearly 3/4 of our 2013 operating budget covered too.

You have stepped up in the past and we're asking you to do so again. Please show your support by contributing any amount you can today - $5, $50, $500, even $5000. Every penny counts.

The decision on whether or not National Stonewall Democrats continues operations is in your hands.

Thank you for all you do and have done for Stonewall Democrats.

Jerame

National Stonewall Democrats Thrilled Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Will Remain as Democratic Leader

Press Release - November 14th, 2012

With the news today that Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi stay on as Democratic Leader for the 113th Congress, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following statement:

"By any measure, Nancy Pelosi was the most successful Speaker of the House in history and has been an inspirational and tenacious Democratic Leader. There could be no better news today than to learn she's decided to continue as leader of the caucus. LGBT Americans can rest assured knowing that one of our strongest and most vocal allies will lead our Party's caucus in the House.

"Since her first day in the House of Representatives in 1987, Leader Pelosi has spoken loudly in favor of equality for LGBT Americans. As Speaker, she led her caucus to pass the 2009 Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law by President Obama. And though the Senate hasn't considered the bill since 1996 and it still isn't law, Speaker Pelosi brought the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the House floor for a successful vote in 2007.

"The House Democrats are in very good hands with Nancy Pelosi at the helm. Congratulations to Leader Pelosi on the well-deserved retention of her leadership position and to the rest of the House Democratic Caucus for choosing a truly top notch leadership team."

New Video of Mitt Romney's Homophobic Past Surfaces

Press Release - October 29th, 2012

Washington, DC – In a recently uncovered campaign video from 2005, Mitt Romney is giving a speech to a South Carolina audience in which he says:     

"Today, same-sex couples are marrying under the law in Massachusetts. Some are actually having children born to them. We've been asked to change their birth certificates to remove the phrase 'Mother' and 'Father' and replace it with 'Parent A' and 'Parent B.' It's not right on paper. It's not right in fact. Every child has the right to have a mother and father."

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following statement: 

"The more we learn about Mitt Romney's record, the more confounding the Log Cabin Republicans endorsement of him becomes. No matter how much they try to cover for Mitt Romney, the facts speak for themselves: Mitt Romney doesn't like LGBT people. Even before this latest revelation, we knew Mitt Romney had fought tooth and nail against gay and lesbian parents' ability to obtain correct birth certificates for their children. Now we get to hear Romney explain his revulsion in his own words.

"'We are Americans first' means nothing when the candidate you support would take away the rights that make us all American. Mitt Romney refuses to acknowledge the basic dignity of our relationships, of our families, of our lives - and this new video just reinforces that message. Log Cabin Republicans justify their embrace of Romney by saying his public statements are meant to pander to the anti-LGBT base of the GOP - that he doesn't really mean all those horrible homophobic things he says.

"In both words and in deeds, Romney has repeatedly used his power and influence to curtail progress toward LGBT equality. This is just the latest example. We cannot trust Mitt Romney, who has proven time and again he will say anything to get elected. Now, after this endorsement, we obviously cannot trust Log Cabin Republicans either. 

"At one time, Log Cabin Republicans was a group of principled gay conservatives trying to make a difference. Lately, I have trouble differentiating them from the conservative performance troupe known as GOProud. Gay Republicans don't need another spectacle, they need bold and steady leadership - something that's sorely lacking in today's Log Cabin Republicans.

"LGBT voters should not allow themselves to be fooled by the Log Cabin Republicans and Mitt Romney. The GOP agenda is to dismantle all of the advances we've made over the past four years and Mitt Romney will fulfill that mandate with gusto. The Log Cabin Republicans know this, but they are so enthralled with token gestures and hollow promises that they're willing to overlook it.

"There is only one candidate in this race who stands for full LGBT equality under the law: President Barack Obama."

Log Cabin Republicans Sell Out the LGBT Community; Endorse Mitt Romney

Press Release - October 23rd, 2012

Today, the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed Mitt Romney for president. National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis had the following reaction:

"The Log Cabin Republicans have proven once and for all that they are not an organization aligned with the LGBT movement. They are a Republican front group bumbling their way into fooling LGBT voters that it's OK to support a party that would legislate us back into the closet.

"Their endorsement of Mitt Romney isn't just shameful - it's insulting. Mitt Romney stands for nothing positive for LGBT people. He supports a federal marriage amendment (which was a reason for Log Cabin to refuse to endorse George W. Bush in 2004). He supports McCarthy-like investigations into our community for evidence of 'harassment of Christians'. He opposes the repeal of DOMA. He opposes ENDA. He's even said things as basic as the right to visit your sick or dying loved one in the hospital is a 'privilege' and not a right.

"On top of all of that, Mitt Romney is a liar. He has told so many untruths and changed his positions so many times throughout this campaign, how can Log Cabin - or anyone - trust a word he would say? A person with no moral compass goes whichever way the political winds blow. With Mitt Romney in charge of the ship of state, we would be a rudderless nation with nothing but luck to keep us from crashing into the rocky shore - and Log Cabin Republicans believes this is the best their party and our country can muster.

"It's a disgrace. A once venerated and decent organization has become a shell of itself blithely pandering to the least common denominator. This is politics at its worst - when a community sells out its own people for the gain of a few individuals. There is little doubt that Clarke Coooper's position on the RNC finance committee played a major role in this decision. Of course, so did their blinding fear of GOProud nipping at their heels.

"So there you have it - the Log Cabin Republicans, who screamed loudly and forcefully for months that liberal groups and LGBT movement posturing weren't going to affect their endorsements have instead allowed the interests of money sucking GOP insiders and the fear of a conservative performance troupe to decide their endorsement for them.

"It's reprehensible. Have they no decency?"

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Reacts to Final Presidential Debate

Press Release - October 22nd, 2012

Washington, DC - After tonight's final presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, had the following reaction:

"President Obama knows more about Israel alone than Mitt Romney knows about the rest of the world combined. From his bumbling trip around the world insulting our allies to his bizarre labeling of Russia as the biggest threat to our nation, Mitt Romney has shown how embarrassingly unprepared he is for the world stage. After tonight's debate, I would argue he's less prepared for the job than George W. Bush was in 2000. How'd that work out for us?

"Mitt Romney is not ready for the world stage, he is not qualified to lead our country, and he has proven time and again he will say anything to get elected. Americans should not be fooled by a slick sales pitch from an empty suit. President Obama has the stature, temperament, knowledge, and vision to be the leader of the free world. Mitt Romney does not. 

"It's clear that President Obama won tonight's debate."

Bay Buchanan Catches 'Romnesia': Tacks Romney Further to the Left, then Right, on LGBT Issues

Press Release - October 22nd, 2012

Washington, DC – Asked about Mitt Romney's support of a federal amendment banning same-sex marriages after the second Presidential debate last Thursday, surrogate Bay Buchanan claimed that Romney was, "a very strong advocate for the Tenth Amendment. It's a state issue." This seemed to be a reversal of Romney's position in favor of an amendment.

Days later, Buchanan clarified her statement saying Romney was, in fact, in favor of a federal marriage amendment. In her clarification, Buchanan also said, "Governor Romney also believes, consistent with the 10th Amendment, that it should be left to states to decide whether to grant same-sex couples certain benefits, such as hospital visitation rights and the ability to adopt children."

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis had the following reaction:

"Romnesia has struck again and it's spreading. Now Bay Buchanan can't remember what Mitt Romney's latest position is on discriminating against LGBT people. When asked about her candidate's support for a federal marriage amendment, Buchanan couldn't remember how anti-gay Romney actually was during this election and suggested that he didn't such an amendment.

"Many Americans can't figure out Mitt Romney's ever shifting positions on important issues and Bay Buchanan is no different. Forced to clarify, she reinforced his support for a federal amendment but tried to soften that by claiming individual state's could offer 'benefits' to same-sex couples. 

"Unfortunately, Bay Buchanan tacked Romney even further to the right than he had previously stated publicly. Governor Romney has said that same-sex couples have 'a right' to adopt children. Romney has never before acknowledged that he opposed President Obama's federal mandate that hospitals should treat LGBT and straight couples the same.

"If voters need any further proof that they should choose President Obama, they can watch as Romney flails around trying to appease both the religious right and the majority of Americans who support LGBT equality. Mitt Romney's mercurial campaign is once again trying to take every side of the issue.

"President Obama has done more for the LGBT community than all other Presidents combined and he continues to include LGBT Americans in his plans for another term. No amount of Romnesia will change those facts."

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Reacts to Second Presidential Debate

Press Release - October 17th, 2012

Washington, DC - After tonight's second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, had the following reaction:

"President Obama was on point and spoke truth to Mitt Romney's repeated lies in tonight's debate. Even the moderator, Candy Crowley, fact-checked Romney's disgraceful attempt to lie about the President's comments about the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya. 

"Despite Romney's dissembling and attempts to run out the clock with rambling answers, the President offered a clear vision forward for the next four years and made his strongest case yet for another term. He rightly called the Romney tax plan a 'sketchy deal' and stood strong for women, immigrants, and working families.

"It's clear that President Obama won the debate."

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Reacts to Vice-Presidential Debate

Press Release - October 11th, 2012

Washington, DC - After tonight's vice-presidential debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, had the following reaction:

"Joe Biden wasn't having any of the Romney-Ryan malarkey tonight. From the start, it was evident that Paul Ryan was going to follow Mitt  Romney's lead and say whatever it takes to get elected. Ryan misled Americans on the unemployment rate and refused to give specifics on the Romney-Ryan tax plan that would significantly increase the tax burden on the middle class.

"War with Iran, disdain for Russia, and aggression toward China are the precepts of the Romney-Ryan foreign policy vision. It's astounding that after two wars that have added more than a trillion dollars to our national debt, cost thousands of lives, and lowered our standing in the world, that the Romney-Ryan vision of foreign policy is more saber rattling and increased military spending.

"The Vice President demonstrated a depth of experience and a command of the facts that was a class above Paul Ryan. Joe Biden spoke the truth about this Administration's record and made it clear he and the President are fighting for all Americans."

Log Cabin Republican Club in Florida Exploits Death of US Ambassador in New Ad

Press Release - October 11th, 2012

In an advertisement in the current issue of the Florida Agenda - a weekly LGBT newspaper distributed throughout central and south Florida - the Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida attacked Democrats and President Obama using an image of the lifeless body of US Ambassador Chris Stevens in the aftermath of the attack on the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

The ad can be found on page 27 of issue #151 of the Florida Agenda dated October 10, 2012. A screen capture of the ad can be found here: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/files/LCRBrowardAd.png

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, had the following response: 

"The Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida has cravenly disrespected the life and legacy of a United States civil servant with this ad. Put bluntly, they have crossed the line of civil discourse and good taste by including an image of the corpse of slain US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens being carried through the streets of Benghazi, Libya.

"Their shameless and callous use of the image of Ambassador Stevens' body aside, the confused hatchet men at Log Cabin are conflating a number of unrelated issues in order to attack Democrats and President Obama. First, they latch onto right-wing rumors that Ambassador Stevens was gay and then they insinuate that President Obama is responsible for the attack because he did not protect the Ambassador from 'Sharia Law'. 

"Then, in a very bizarre turn, they state their support for Israel as a 'beacon of hope' in the Middle East and urge voters to, 'support Israel in this hour of darkness: vote Republican!'

"It is simply unimaginable to me how any political message, let alone the muddy and ludicrous message of this ad, in any way justifies disgracing the memory of a man who gave his life in service to his country. This level of depravity and moral indifference must not be allowed to enter our political discourse.

"We call upon the Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida to retract this ad and apologize to Floridians for subjecting them to this sort of degenerate messaging. We also call upon Log Cabin Republicans national office to repudiate this ad for the partisan detritus that it is."

UPDATE: Log Cabin Republicans national office has condemned the ad: http://www.bilerico.com/2012/10/fl_log_cabin_chapters_attack_ad_features_body_of_s.php

National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Reacts to First Presidential Debate

Press Release - October 4th, 2012

Washington, DC - After tonight's first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director, Jerame Davis, released the following statement:

"Mitt Romney came to tonight's debate prepared to take pot shots at President Obama while dodging questions about the specifics of his vague plans. In contrast, President Obama addressed the American people directly and laid out a vision for the next four years. Romney's choices - style over substance, attacks over proposals, platitudes over policies - speak to his character and the type of leader he would be.

"Mitt Romney's boorish behavior and Jim Lehrer's poor moderation overshadowed the night, but the President still delivered a substantive vision for his next term. Knowing that Romney bullied a gay teen during prep school helps to explain his churlish behavior at tonight's debate. Instead of looking presidential, Romney appeared to be nothing more than a belligerent schoolyard bully.

"I look forward to the two remaining presidential debates and next week's vice-presidential debate should be enlightening as well."

Home › Stonewall News › Stonewall News