Hundreds of LGBT Texans were among the 5,000 delegates and alternates who attended the convention.  The Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus (TSDC), which is the official LGBT Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party, hosted a reception on June 24 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its founding.  The TSDC also held an Executive Board meeting and Caucus membership meeting at the convention, both of which were well attended.  Dan Graney of San Antonio was re-elected President, Erin Moore of Dallas was re-elected Vice President and Carol Cappa of Fort Worth and Shaun Nelson of Houston were respectively elected the new Secretary and Treasurer of the Caucus.  Graney and Moore will represent the TSDC on the State Democratic Executive Committee or SDEC, which is the governing body of the State Democratic Party between conventions
 
            Also elected to the SDEC were four members of Stonewall Democrats chapters in Texas: Eli Olivarez of McAllen, Garry Brown of Austin and DeeJay Johannessen and Mary Edwards of Tarrant County.  Stonewall Democrats members were also elected to all five of the permanent committees of the convention, which includes credentials, rules, platform, resolutions and nominations.
 
            “The 2010 State Democratic Convention proved beyond a reasonable doubt that LGBT Texans have a place at the table of the Democratic Party”, exclaimed TSDC President Dan Graney.  “As for the Republican Party of Texas, it might as well call itself the Republican Party of Uganda because of all the hate and bigotry that is dripping from its platform”, he said.
 
            Texas Democrats are gearing up for the midterm elections this November and are hoping to elect Bill White the first Democratic governor of this state in 16 years.  The 2012 Texas Democratic Convention will take place in Houston.

RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ARIZONA SB1070

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party has historically supported policies that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and disability; and

WHEREAS, on April 23, 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1070 requiring all local law enforcement to investigate a person’s immigration status when there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is in the Country unlawfully, regardless of whether that person is suspected of a crime; and

WHEREAS, SB 1070 does not prohibit law enforcement officers from relying on race, ethnicity, national origin or language to determine whom to investigate; and

WHEREAS, SB 1070 encourages racial profiling and violates Fourteenth Amendment guarantees of due process and equal protection for U.S. citizens, legal residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, state and federal funds should not be used to support immigration programs that promote racial profiling and discrimination based on race, ethnicity or national origin or any other form of discrimination; and

WHEREAS, SB 1070 seriously undermines the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress exclusive power over immigration legislation and is a direct violation of Article VI of the US Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Texas State Representative Debbie Riddle filed similar HB 49 in the 81^st Legislative Session, and plans on filing it again in the 82^nd Legislative Session;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Denton County Democratic Party, its Chair, Officers, and Precinct Chairs, urge the State of Arizona to repeal SB 1070;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Denton County Democratic Party opposes any such legislation in Texas and urges the Texas Democratic Party to oppose it as well;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Denton County Democratic Party calls upon our President Barack Obama and Members of Congress to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation and pursue legal action to prohibit the State of Arizona from enforcing this unconstitutional law.

]]> http://www.stonewalldemocratsofdentoncounty.org/?feed=rss2&p=262 http://www.stonewalldemocratsofdentoncounty.org/?p=248 http://www.stonewalldemocratsofdentoncounty.org/?p=248#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:32:41 +0000 admin http://www.stonewalldemocratsofdentoncounty.org/?p=248 March 30, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John McClelland

johntarheel76@gmail.com

972-890-3834

RESIDENTS ELECTED TO PALOMA CREEK FRESH WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT

John McClelland becomes 1^st openly gay elected official in Denton County

LITTLE ELM, TX – Home owners in Paloma Creek along US 380 were officially elected to the Denton County Fresh Water Supply District 11-A last Thursday.

Three local residents of the master planned community Paloma Creek were elected to the Board of Directors of one of its five fresh water supply districts within the development. As they were unopposed, the election was officially called off on March 25^th by the current Board, in accordance with state law. Kenneth Botts, Conrad Davis, and John McClelland will officially be sworn in on May 26^th at the Paloma Creek Amenity Center at the district meeting.

“As home owners we felt that it was important to become a part of our local government,” said Director-elect John McClelland. “Residents have gained access to their fresh water supply districts in Savannah and Providence Village already and Paloma Creek home owners have not been interested until recently. We wanted to have some say in our tax rate, as well as giving other residents the opportunity to understand how they are represented since we do not live within the scope of an incorporated city.”

McClelland is the 1^st known openly gay elected official in Denton County. “I do not hide my sexual orientation from anyone, and I am proud of who I am. I hope being the first in this county will encourage other people like me to run for office and not be ashamed of who they are. You run on your merits and you can win,” said McClelland, who is also the current President of Stonewall Democrats of Denton County and a past nominee for the Texas Legislature.

Fresh water supply districts in Denton County were created for the development of large communities outside the town limits of local municipalities. The districts are responsible for the building of roads and sewer access. The Town of Little Elm has since annexed property adjacent to Paloma Creek, which is within its ETJ. Paloma Creek is located between Denton and Frisco, north of Little Elm on US 380. It is divided into districts 8-A, 8-B, 11-A, 11-B, and 11-C.

###

Resolution Calling For The Repeal of Texas “Defense of Marriage” Constitutional Amendment

Resolution Supporting Accurate Birth Certificates

Resolution Supporting Competitive Insurance Benefits

Resolution Supporting Safe Schools for All Children

Resolution Supporting Non-Discrimination Legislation

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF DENTON COUNTY ISSUE ENDORSEMENTS

Recommendations for the Texas Democratic Primary

DENTON, TX – The Stonewall Democrats of Denton County issued their endorsed slate of candidates in the March 2010 Democratic Primary election.

Chapter members held a candidates forum two weeks ago, attended by local and statewide candidates for the Democratic Primary. Subsequently, 26 follow up questionnaires were mailed to all of the potential candidates Denton County Democrats will choose from. The questionnaires posed questions relating to LGBT equality in Texas and nationally, as well as local issues such as gas drilling abuses in western Denton County. “This is our largest slate of candidates to choose from in our history as a chapter,” said President John McClelland, “Choosing qualified people from all ethnic backgrounds, orientations, and genders, that support the LGBT community shows the strength and diversity of the Democratic Party in Texas and right here in Denton County.”

The following candidates were approved for endorsement by the membership at a meeting held in Lake Dallas, TX on January 30th:

Paul Gomez – Denton County Justice of the Peace Pct 1

Bill Barnett – Denton County Justice of the Peace Pct 6

Stephen Stephens – Denton County Probate Court Judge

Neil Durrance – US Congressional District 26

John Sharp – US Senate

Bill White – TX Governor

Linda Chavez-Thompson – TX Lieutenant Governor

Barbara Ann Radnofsky – TX Attorney General

Hank Gilbert – TX Agriculture Commissioner

Hector Uribe – TX General Land Office Commissioner

Jeff Weems – TX Railroad Commissioner

Keith Hampton – TX Court of Criminal Appeals

Jim Sharp – TX Supreme Court Place 3

Bill Moody – TX Supreme Court Place 5

Blake Bailey – TX Supreme Court Place 9

Morris Overstreet – TX Court of Appeals Chief Justice

If you’d like more information on Stonewall Democrats of Denton County visit the website at www.stonewalldemocratsofdentoncounty.org

John McClelland
972-890-3834
info@stonewalldemocratsofdentoncounty.org

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS DENOUNCE CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL BURGESS
Unfounded comments and bill harmful to LGBT equality

Denton, TX — Stonewall Democrats of Denton County denounced the recent actions of Representative Michael Burgess (R) in regards to President Obama’s “Safe Schools Czar” Kevin Jennings.

“Congressman Burgess has again taken the opportunity to distort the truth in a manner unbecoming an elected official,” said SDDC President John McClelland. “After the accusations made against Safe Schools Czar Kevin Jennings were proven inaccurate several months ago, Dr. Burgess is again wasting time and taxpayer dollars by accusing Mr. Jennings of inappropriate relations and associating him with organizations he has no part of.”

Rep. Burgess sent a letter dated December 9 to President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, accusing Mr. Jennings of promoting sexual relationships between school aged children and adults. He was one of 53 House Republicans who sent a similar letter October 15. Rep. Burgess also sent the recent letter and other statements via the taxpayer funded House email system to subscribers of his newsletter. Rep. Burgess has even gone so far as to introduce H.Res.966 on December 11, which has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, to fire Mr. Jennings.

“Kevin Jennings is a former leader of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. GLSEN is an advocate of helping every member of the school system, be they children, teachers, parents; gay, lesbian, or straight to promote a positive sense of self. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning children and those perceived to be gay, even if they are not, are bullied and harassed in our public school system. Some have even been murdered or committed suicide. This is something we are against and are glad GLSEN is taking action to solve the problem,” said McClelland. “We hope Congressman Burgess can use his time more wisely to solve our ongoing health care crisis, promote cleaner sources of energy, and help with unemployment here in Congressional District 26. If he would like to have an informed discussion on promoting equality in schools, the workplace, and law in general, he is welcome to sit down with us at Stonewall Democrats of Denton County. Our door is always open to discuss tolerance and understanding.”

Stonewall Democrats of Denton County is a grassroots organization committed to the election of LGBT friendly candidates and a leader in progressive equality issues. It is part of a network of 10 chapters in Texas and more than 90 nationwide.

# # #

The online food drive will benefit the North Texas Food Bank. By using the provided link, you can choose from 7 food options, as well as choose individual cash donation amounts. For every $1 the food bank collects, it can provide 4 meals to hungry North Texans since it is able to buy in bulk and get a better deal than you or I at the local grocery store.

Go to http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=4022 today and give the gift of food to people just like you and me who have been hit by this economic situation and can not afford to feed themselves otherwise. This virtual drive will run from today through December 11th. And your donation is tax deductible. You will receive a confirmation email once you donate you can use as a receipt. And if you have an email list you can think of sending this to, please do so. The more money this drive collects, the merrier!

Let’s make sure my birthday is no longer the date which will live in infamy, but the date you help needy people in North Texas.

Univ of North Texas’s GLAD chapter is sponsoring a drag show at Mable Peabody’s on Saturday November 7th starting at 10:30pm. General admission at the door is $3 for 21+ages, $5 for under 21. Mable’s is located at 1125 E University Dr in Denton.  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151069867709  Proceeds benefit GLAD.

GENERAL MEETING
Our next general meeting will be held on a special date:  Thursday November 19th 7pm at Landmark Grill, 1297 Justin Rd, Lewisville. Join us for officer elections and some pre Thanksgiving time together.

We will have two guest presentations. Denton County Democratic Party Chair, and Stonewall member, Phyllis Wolper would like to address us briefly.

We will also welcome Stonewall member, President of LULAC 4871, and Deputy Director of LULAC Dist III Jesse Garcia to provide a presentation on Comprehensive Immigration Reform specifically pertaining to the United America Families Act, which does pertain to LGBT immigrants. Jesse will be joined by John Trevino, who is in a binational relationship, and Ramiro Luna, who is a DREAM Act student hoping to become a US citizen.
OFFICER ELECTIONS NOVEMBER
We will be holding officer elections at our November meeting for one year terms to begin January 1, 2010. If you are a paid member and a resident of Denton County, you may run for a seat. President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer spots will be available. Our current Treasurer is not running for reelection so it is imperative that we have someone step up to fill this seat asap. We are accepting nominations ahead of time and at the meeting. Current nominees are as follows: President: John McClelland, Vice President: Eloy Machuca, Secretary: Rich Abraham,  Treasurer: None at this time

MEMBERSHIP CORNER

How do you become a member? Join at the regular annual membership levels of $35 or our new $17.50 student membership, with a valid student ID. You can download the form on our website, and with easy processing with ActBlue or PayPal by credit/debit card, or check, it’s a breeze.

Your membership dues help us hold events like Gay Pride, sponsor students at events like the LULAC banquet, and will help PROGRESSIVE Democratic state and local candidates in 2010. Unlike national PACs, we have minimal overhead which maximize your donations. Become part of a successful growing brand of Democrats with Stonewall!

STONEWALL TSHIRTS
We do still have Stonewall Democrats Tshirts available in sizes S-XXL. They are 100% cotton plain white tees with our logo on the front, digitally printed in a union shop. You can see them modeled on our Facebook group pictures.

Our bailout special still applies!  If you join Stonewall as a new member, you can purchase a shirt at a discounted rate of $7.50, which is 50% off the usual donation. Otherwise, existing members can purchase them for $12. Non members $15. You can purchase your shirt at the next meeting or by contacting us to order.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

8:00 am ~ 5:30 pm Registration

9:00 am ~ 12:00 pm Association of State Democratic Chairs

1:00 pm ~ 2:00 pm Resolutions Committee

2:00 pm ~ 3:00 pm Rules & Bylaws Committee

3:00 pm ~ 4:00 pm Credentials Committee

4:30 pm ~ 5:30 pm New Members Briefing

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

6:30 am ~ 6:00 pm Registration

7:00 am ~ 7:45 am Coffee & Danish with Governor Tim Kaine

8:00 am ~ 10:30 am United We Serve Community Service

11:30 am ~ 1:00 pm General Meeting

1:00 pm ~ 2:30 pm GLBT Caucus

2:30 pm ~ 4:00 pm Midwest Caucus

2:30 pm ~ 4:00 pm Southern Caucus

2:30 pm ~ 4:00 pm Western Caucus

2:30 pm ~ 4:00 pm Eastern Caucus

4:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm Asian Pacific Islander American Caucus

4:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm Black Caucus

4:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm Hispanic Caucus

4:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm Native American Coordinating Council

4:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm Nat’l Dem Ethnic Coordinating Committee

5:30 pm ~ 6:30 pm Executive Committee

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

9:00 am ~ 10:30 am Women’s Caucus

9:00 am ~ 11:00 am State Party Executive Directors

10:30 am ~ 12:00 pm Seniors Council

10:30 am ~ 12:00 pm Youth Council

12:00 pm ~ 1:30 pm Rural Council

12:00 pm ~ 1:30 pm Veterans & Military Families Council

Please note: all official DNC meetings are open to the public. Additional events may be limited to members of the

Democratic National Committee and/or guests, space permitting.

Don’t forget to attend our Pride events June 26-28. If you’d like to sponsor, go to http://www.actblue.com/page/dentonpride