Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats announced its official endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. With its official endorsement, the organization activates its network of more than 90 chapters across the country to work on behalf of Senator Obama and the Democratic ticket.
"Senator Obama is running a grassroots campaign and this represents a grassroots endorsement," said
Jon Hoadley, Executive Director. "Rather than simply lend our name, Stonewall Democrats has taken the time to grow a broad coalition that is now working to support Senator Obama and pro-equality Democrats. This endorsement process has positioned our chapters as leading advocates for the issues of change that both the Obama campaign and Stonewall Democrats share."
"The Stonewall Democrats are a powerful grassroots force in our politics, and I am grateful for their endorsement. Their focus on grassroots organizing is so important as we work to engage all Americans in our campaign for change," said
Senator Obama. "I look forward to working with this organization and its members to continue to advance the cause of equality for LGBT Americans."
"Senator Obama wins the enthusiastic support of the Stonewall Democrats with his advocacy for pro-equality positions and his strong record of leadership," said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director. "The energy of his campaign is matched with the strength of his positions. Throughout the nomination season, Senator Obama has engaged our members and, more importantly, the entire American family on issues that are crucial to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Democrats. The urgency of this election means much more than simply voting for Senator Obama in November. It requires us to do what Stonewall Democrats do best - undertaking the hard work on behalf of pro-equality candidates of going door-to-door, making phone calls, talking to neighbors and organizing communities into action."
Senator Barack Obama has championed many issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community both in Congress and on the campaign trail. The Senator has vocally advocated for a fully-inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act, equitable benefits for the partners of federal employees, increased HIV/AIDS funding, the passage of hate crimes legislation, the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. In striking contrast with his Republican opponent, Senator Obama has clearly opposed anti-marriage ballot initiatives in Arizona, California and Florida. During the nomination season, Senator Obama, and his campaign, routinely engaged members of the Stonewall Democrats. The endorsement of Stonewall Democrats will allow the only national organization of LGBT and allied Democrats to continue to engage and educate the Obama campaign on issues of equality, such as the freedom to marry, while motivating its membership on behalf of the endorsed candidate.
For over two years, Stonewall Democrats used its grassroots network to help shape the Democratic field into the most accountable and tested group of candidates in the history of the Democratic Party. From the living rooms of New Hampshire to the greens of historically Black college campuses, Stonewall Democrats organized its members to meet with candidates to discuss issues that are crucial to LGBT Americans. This included national trainings in the early-voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina and Stonewall Democrats town hall events with Democratic presidential campaigns in states like Ohio and Texas. Stonewall Democrats will now use the network of advocates it built upon during the nomination season to organize support for Senator Obama and the Democratic ticket.
With its endorsement, Stonewall Democrats activates its network of advocates across the country to turn out voters on behalf of the Democratic ticket. Participating in nearly 100 pride events, members are currently registering new voters, educating the LGBT community and organizing volunteers to do the work needed to achieve victory on behalf of endorsed candidates. Stonewall Democrats has also organized its
Pride in the Party program (
www.PrideInTheParty.org>) to recruit precinct captains, train delegate candidates and identify community leaders to organize the vote on behalf of Senator Obama and Democratic candidates.
In endorsing Senator Obama, Stonewall Democrats unveils the first in a series of action tools available at StonewallDemocrats.org. Members of the Stonewall Democrats can contribute directly to the Obama campaign on the website. Donations to Senator Obama, and other pro-equality candidates, are automatically calculated as coming from the LGBT and allied community. Over the next month, Stonewall Democrats will publish additional organizing tools online which members can use to communicate Democratic values.
For more information, visit: stonewalldemocrats.org/obama
National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters 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.
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