July 17, 2009 - Washington, DC - Stonewall Democrats applaud Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his recent leadership on issues of importance to LGBT and allied Democrats. Senator Reid's public call for a "permanent" moratorium on the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and his savvy handling of a successful cloture vote on the Matthew Shepard Act were strong demonstrations of his commitment to the LGBT community and are worthy of commendation.
When asked about a proposal being offered by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) that would suspend the discharge of gay and lesbian servicemembers for 18 months, Senator Reid declared his support and went even further, saying, "If Kirsten offers this amendment I will support it...my only difference I would have is I would make it permanent."
In addition, Senator Reid's strong leadership and impassioned rhetoric on behalf of the Matthew Shepard Act were instrumental in the bill's passage. "For the last decade, Matthew Shepard's name has been associated with hate crimes. When this bill passes, his name wil thereafter be associated with justice," Senator Reid said.
Stonewall Democrats Communications Director Jenna Lowenstein commented: "Stonewall Democrats congratulates Senator Reid for taking such a principled stand on these issues of critical importance to LGBT and allied Americans. With a Democratic administration and strong Democratic majorities in both the House and the Senate, Stonewall Democrats believes that now is the time for our leaders to take strong, measurable action on pro-equality policies. Now is the time to hold our leaders accountable for the promises they've made to their constituencies. Senator Reid's actions show he values equality and is committed to change. Stonewall Democrats stand with our leaders who stand up for us."
Lowenstein added, "Our chapters in Nevada - the Stonewall Democrats of Southern Nevada, Stonewall Democrats of Northern Nevada, and the Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus - have long histories of supporting Senator Reid and working with him on important issues. Such strong actions from the Senator are a validation of the chapter's past and future work on his behalf and demonstrate the importance of working to elect - and hold accountable - pro-equality Democrats."
With more than 120 local chapters, National Stonewall Democrats is the nationa's only organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied Democrats. Stonewall Democrats works to elect pro-equality Democrats to public office and improve the Democratic Party on issues important to pro-equality Americans.
Contact:
Jenna Lowenstein
Communciations Director
National Stonewall Democrats
jlowenstein@stonewalldemocrats.org
(202) 625-1382
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