To the Editors: Re: “Georgia Democrats lag behind national party on gay issues” (news, April 25)
I appreciate Southern Voice bringing attention to the reality that the Democratic Party of Georgia is not where it ought to be in terms of supporting LGBT policy goals. Organizing and mobilizing LGBT and allied partisans to educate and influence party leaders, elected officials and candidates is an important component of a larger strategy to advance LGBT policy goals.
However, the article did not mention the success Atlanta Stonewall Democrats (ASD) has made in recent years to continue making progress within the Democratic Party on issues important to our community.
In 2007, ASD secured a goal of 8 percent for LGBT inclusion within the state party’s delegate selection plan for the national convention. Reaching this goal involved a six-month strategy that began with electing friends and allies of the LGBT community as Congressional District Chairs within the party.
Congressional District Chairs appoint members to the Affirmative Action & Inclusion Committee for the party, which writes the delegate selection plan and sets goals for inclusion. As a result of this work within the party, one-third of all Affirmative Action & Inclusion Committee members are now openly-LGBT, and for the first time the Democratic Party of Georgia specifically included goals for LGBT diversity within the delegate selection plan.
ASD led efforts to form — and maintains an active presence in — the LGBT Caucus within the state party. Made up of LGBT State Committee members, the caucus is the first of its kind within the Democratic Party of Georgia and will soon be an official body of the state party. Among the priorities of the caucus will be to grow LGBT membership on the State Committee, the official decision-making body for the state party, and ensure the platform of the party includes support for LGBT policy goals.
Former State Representative and Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Jane Kidd met with leaders of Atlanta Stonewall Democrats last year and agreed to send out action alerts to the full membership of the party in support of inclusive hate crimes legislation and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
ASD also organized a meet-and-greet between Jane Kidd, party leaders, and LGBT community leaders to discuss the future of the Democratic Party, and specifically, what the party would be doing to include LGBT Georgians in its policies, programs, and platform.
Today, Democratic Party leaders engage in regular conversations with LGBT community leaders and activists on issues important to the LGBT community, party officers attend and participate in LGBT events throughout the community, and the policies, programs and platform of the party are changing to include LGBT Georgians.
Stonewall Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans have unique contributions to make towards our struggle for equality.
Stonewall Democrats must continue to make progress within the Democratic Party to build support for LGBT policy goals and help elect fair-minded Democrats to public office. Log Cabin Republicans must work to increase the visibility of LGBT persons within the Republican Party and educate fellow Republicans about who LGBT are and why our issues — marriage, family, work, public safety — are American ideals that could easily be adopted into the conservative manifesto.
LGBT Democrats are fortunate to have leaders at the Democratic Party of Georgia like Chairwoman Jane Kidd, Executive Director Matt Weyandt and Political Director Rashad Taylor, and leaders within our community like Ken Britt, Paul Horning, Lawrie Demorest and LeeAnn Jones, who are moving us towards a more fair Georgia.
KYLE BAILEY
Atlanta
Editors’ note: Bailey is political director of Georgia Equality and former chair of Atlanta Stonewall Democrats.
Please, please put Pride back in Piedmont Park Re: “Expect to pony up for ATL Pride” (news, April 18)
I know I won't be going to Pride this year. Someone needs to take Piedmont Park back from these bored housewives called the conservancy.
This is exactly the reason that we should be troubled by the moving of Pride out of Piedmont Park! Of what use is a park that no one can use? The past several years with the market set up on the roadways and the stages located where they have been has not caused the type of damage that would justify the moving of the Pride Festival out of the park. I think that the park and its grass are a lot more resilient than we think, and if a fee is charged to all groups that want to use the park then the damage can be repaired. Bring Pride back to Piedmont Park!
One less socially conservative viewer for ‘As the World Turns’ Re: “Gay couple kisses on ‘As the World Turns’” (sovo.com, April 23)
I have been listening on the radio and watching on television “As the World Turns” for 50+ years and I want you to know that I am appalled at the gay couple showing affection and now kissing. I love the show and will stop watching though if it continues. I hope you people wake up.
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bia on 5/10/0812:13 AM:
Please, please put Pride back in Piedmont Park
know I won't be going to Pride this year. Someone needs to take Piedmont Park back from these bored housewives called the conservancy.
HELLO? so you wont go Pride when they need your attendance MORE than ever and your support all because of where its located. You probably never put a dollar in the donation bucked either. If you have read anything on the subject you know Pride had NO choice but to relocate, I am sure if it was up to them they would be in the park but its the CITY doing it to ALL festivals. Show your support, BE AT PRIDE!!!!!
