Posted on 08/29/2012 4:58:04 AM PDT by scottjewell
A record number of out LGBT participants – 534 – are planning to go to Charlotte, N.C., next week for the Democratic National Convention.
The number was released on Aug. 28 by the National Stonewall Democrats, the largest LGBT Democratic group in the country.
NSD said four years ago about out 350 LGBT people participated in the Democratic convention. "What an amazing and inspiring convention this will be," said Jerame Davis, NSD excutive director. "With over 530 LGBT participants identified for this year's convention, we not only set a new record for LGBT participation in a national convention, we have sent the clearest message possible that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion."
NSD launched Pride in the Party in 2007 to increase LGBT participation in the national and state Democratic organizations. Davis said that work paid off.
Rick Boylan, who directs the program, said, "An increase in the number of LGBT delegates is only the tip of the iceberg. By ensuring an open and inclusive delegate selection process, state Democratic Party organizations are witnessing an increase in LGBT involvement in Democratic campaigns, as well as Democratic organizing and fundraising activities. As the party has expanded its outreach to the LGBT community, the community has expanded its involvement in the party. We are seeing better working relationships with elected officials and more interest in pro-equality legislation at all levels of government."
NSD reports that there are at least 486 LGBT delegates bound for Charlotte next week, as well as 23 LGBT alternates, 20 LGBT committee members and five LGBT pages.
There are 11 out transgender people planning to participate in the convention – seven delegates, three committee members and one alternate.
NSD reported that Mississippi, Arkansas and Alaska will be sending openly LGBT delegates for the first time and that all 50 states will have LGBT delegates, also a first.
The largest LGBT group will come from California – 76 participants.
A history of LGBT delegates at the Democratic National Convention dates back to 1988, when the party’s delegate selection rules specifically prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The party also adopted a policy to reach out to gays and lesbians, at that time. In 1992, according to NSD, the selection rules required state parties to recruit “groups that are significantly underrepresented in our Party’s affairs.”
Six years later, openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., along with other LGBT activists, founded the National Stonewall Democrats, which developed 120 chapters.
And since the 2000 convention in Los Angeles, NSD has kept track of out LGBT delegates at the party’s national parties. That year there were 161 LGBT delegates and 210 total out LGBT participants.
The number of out LGBT participants grew to 260 for the convention in Boston in 2004 and to more than 350 for the convention in Denver in 2008.
The Democratic National Convention begins Sept. 4 and culminates with speeches by Barack Obama and Joe Biden on Sept. 6.
The Republican National Convention, taking place in Tampa, concludes on Aug. 30 with Mitt Romney’s speech. About two dozen out LGBT delegates are attending.
Well, there’s 486 LGBTPDQXYZ delegates, so I can’t see it being less than 10% and probably closer to 15 or even 20%. Massive overrepresentation when compared to the population.
I think I live far enough away from Charlotte (about 25 miles) to be safe next week. I hope. I don’t plan to get any closer to Uptown than I have to, that’s for sure.
}:-)4
Will they be in the room to participate in Obama’s Islamic Invocation?
Obama’s Pansy Posse.
Perverts welcome but the God of the Universe gets shunned.
There’s your modern, wonderful DemoRat Party. The GOPe is a step or 2 right behind them.
Oh you are good. Bout spit up my coffee reading that.
Seems the Democrat party has become the part of inclusion all right - All of society’s undesirables that no one in their right mind would want on their team. I’d rather have a party of normal hardworking Americans with Christian values than a freakshow of godless heathens that yearn for the destruction of America.
Agreed.
Jews. Hard-working. Extremely intelligent. High incomes. Small business owners. Professionals. Family oriented. Wake up, my fellow Jews. The idolatry your grandparents heaped on FDR, and your parents heaped on JFK is yesterday's news. If ever a trite statement were true, it's the following: You don't have to leave the democrat party. The democrat party left you.
I saw the light in 1968, and voted for Nixon, the first time I was eligible. Never voted for a democrat in my life. My parents never voted for a republican.
They should get along really well with the record number of muslims who would behead them if they could get away with it.
Lot would call that a fire and brimstone rich environment...
I guess they won’t be serving Chick-fil-A for lunch.
This will be the Q&D’s highwater mark.
There will be an AIDS epidemic resulting from all the disease ridden convention hall toilet seats. The convention will be a disease ridden death trap
Everyone loves a circus, especially the clowns!
Interesting that they know the number.
How many traditional Catholics are there (Not the CINO’s)?
How many evangelical Christians are there?
How many true believing Mormons are there? (Harry Reid need not apply).
I’ll bet there are very few of the above, and that the number is not known.
I’ll bet further that if any of the above wanted to be delegates, they would have been dismissed.
Bart Stupak and his few friends there are a decided minority and will be treated as if they are lepers.
this is what happend when the party is infiltrated when they open up the tent. and it is coming to GOP too, it is just the matter of time. sadly.
Now in all seriousness, does it really matter if the GOP has 24 out LGBT? To me, a SMALL GOVERNMENT conservative (and yes, I am a conservative on most social issues)< it doesn't matter what one's lifestyle is.
To me, small government is that -- I don't want to the government in my bedroom (in whether I am living in sin or married), in my Kitchen (in terms of if my kids are drinking a 32oz soda or milk.), or what I drive!! It is NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S BUSINESS!!
Let the televised Freak Show begin. Can only help our side.
That’s what I’m hoping; the more they advertise this extremism and bias the more it discredits the party and its ideology.
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