You’re invited!

Join us for the Oregon Stonewall Democrats & the GLBT Caucus’ First Annual
House Party Celebration
to benefit the
Democratic Party of Oregon

Join us for the Oregon Stonewall Democrats & the GLBT Caucus’ First Annual House Party Celebration
to benefit the Democratic Party of Oregon
Thursday, September 9, 2010
6:00 pm
at Bill & David’s house in Southwest Portland
Enjoy hosted wine and hors d’oeuvres, great company, & special guests
– and –
help ensure we elect progressive leaders who will stand up for the rights of ALL Oregonians
Suggested donation $50 – $100 (sliding scale)
Space is limited; RSVP soon to farley@dpo.org, 503-239-8695
Address & directions provided upon RSVP

Meet the Host Committee

Bill Dickey & David Wagner Tireless supporters of equality and progressive causes of all kinds
Congressman Jarod Polis Representing Colorado’s 2nd District; the first openly gay Congressman in the U.S.
Representative Tina Kotek Oregon House Majority Whip; the only openly gay member of the OR Legislature
Carl Wolfson KPOJ radio personality and wildly entertaining stand-up comic
Maura Roche The crown jewel of Oregon’s progressive lobbyists
Terry Bean “One of those behind the scenes people you rarely hear about in American politics that gets more done than most elected officials.”-David Mixner
Byron Beck Former reporter for Willamette Week and now Oregon’s Perez Hilton
Don Powell Owner of Powell Phones and trusted by progressive campaigns nationwide
Frank Dixon & Dan Volkmer Democratic Party of Oregon Vice-Chair and partner
Laura Calvo DPO Treasurer, GLBT Caucus Chair, Oregon Stonewall Democrats Chair
Eddy Morales Political consultant and past speaker at Creating Change, DNC events
Cris Land Democratic Party of Oregon GLBT Caucus Treasurer
Jim Freed & Michael Sjoberg GLBT Caucus members with a passion for the repeal of DADT
Michael Miles & Ben Allen GLBT Caucus/Marion County Democrats Vice-Chair and partner
Mike Schryver GLBT Caucus Communications Officer
Carla “KC” Hanson Multnomah County Democrats Chair and GLBT Caucus Secretary

Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Your contribution will be used in connection with federal elections and is subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.

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Greetings,

GLBTQ Pride season is almost here!

Bill Dickey, Carl Wolfson & Tom Barreto

Invite you to a special fundraising event with advocates and leaders for the GLBTQ Community

Rep. Mary Nolan
House Majority Leader

Rep. Tina Kotek
House Majority Whip

Tuesday, June 15
6:00 to 8:00 PM

To support the Oregon House Democrats

23Hoyt
529 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland

To RSVP Contact Andy Darkins at
503-239-8623 or andy@futurepac.org

About the Hosts…

Carl Wolfson is the host of KPOJ’s Carl and Christine Show, a Democratic activist and, according to Bill Dickey, “one of the most knowledgeable guys on the radio — and funny as hell.”

Bill Dickey has spent 20 years in the bar business and the last 15 years in the printing business as co-owner of Witham & Dickey, one of Portland’s premier print shops. Bill knows the dirt on everyone and can print it!

Tom Barreto is the Eye Doctor to the stars and Eye Candy for everyone else. Dr. Barreto owns Eyes on Broadway and has been a community leader for 25 years.

Rep. Mary Nolan was Basic Rights Oregon’s 2007 Equality Champion and serves as the Oregon House Majority Leader.

Rep. Tina Kotek, Portland’s very own Rachel Maddow, is the only openly gay member of the Oregon House and was instrumental in passing the Oregon Equality Act. Tina is the Majority Whip in the Oregon House.

If that is not enough there is more…….

Have you heard about Claudia Kyle? Claudia is a candidate running for House Representative in House District 19 and she openly identifies as lesbian. She’s running a tough smart campaign and needs our support. Claudia has been endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Basic Rights PAC.Claudia is in Minnesota this evening at one of the most intense candidate training programs in the country which helps to elect LGBTQ candidates. However, she’ll be at this great event and you’ll have an opportunity to meet her.

Please RSVP today!

To RSVP Contact Andy Darkins at
503-239-8623 or andy@futurepac.org

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The Democratic Party of Oregon State Platform Convention

June 25-27, 2010 (Friday evening to Sunday)

Portland Community College – Willow Creek Center
241 SW Edgeway Drive, Beaverton, OR

Click HERE for more information!

(you can also try clicking on the post title for more information)

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Info about Portland Pride at  PrideNW

(you can also try clicking on the post title for more information)

We’ll be at the Pride festival!

Come visit our booth or better yet volunteer at our booth.  Its easy and fun. Hang out with some great folks. Have a place to call home while you’re having fun at Pride!

Our booth is located near the north entrance to the festival (booth A8)

Our parade position this year is #66 72. Step-off time is 11:30am. If you’re marching with us, we’ll be gathering in the staging area at 10:00am. Check out parade staging and this year’s route HERE. For just the staging area where to meet us at Glisan and 12th HERE

Thank to everyone who came to the Parade and worked in the booth!

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The Washington Post has reported the mystery about the new first family pup is over.

America meet Bo, a portugese water dog. Complete with rainbow lei!

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Angie Zapata was brutally murdered in Greeley, Colorado in July 2008. Angie was a transgender woman and she was murdered because of anti-transgender bias.

On April 14, 2009, her alleged killer will go on trial in Greeley, Colorado. The trial marks the first time that Colorado’s gender identity-inclusive hate crimes statute—and in fact any state’s hate crimes law—has been applied in the investigation and prosecution of an anti-transgender murder case.

The tragic death of Angie Zapata again sadly underscores the urgency of passing federal hate crimes legislation.

Here in Oregon at least one murder of a transwoman has gone unsolved for years.

Angie’s killer referred to her as an “it” when he confessed to police in Colorado, while allegedly showing no sign of remorse for beating her to death with a fire extinguisher.

Facts:

• Since 1999, over 400 people have been murdered due to anti-transgender bias.
• In 2008 alone, there were 21 transgender and gender non-conforming people murdered.
• Anti-gay hate crimes are the third most frequent kind of hate crimes in America after race and religion. And they were up 6% in the most recent FBI data.
• 14.2% percent of transgender students report being physically assaulted as a result of their gender expression, while 30.4% percent experienced physical harassment.
• At this time, only 11 states and the District of Columbia offer hate crimes protections that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
• According to a Harris Interactive poll conducted at the end of last year, almost two-thirds (63%) of Colorado adults favor expanding hate crime laws to cover gay and transgender people.

There is a facebook movement calling for people to light a candle for Angie by changing thier profile picture to a candle, Light A Candle. More information can be found at http://www.angiezapata.com/

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Washington Post:

If you get married in Iowa or Vermont, Washington D.C. will soon recognize your marriage!

The Washington Post is reporting that the D.C. Council voted today, the same day Vermont turned back a veto on marriage equality, to recognize same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions.

“Domestic partnerships are already legal in the nation’s capital. But yesterday’s vote, billed as an important milestone in gay rights, explicitly recognizes relocated gay married couples as married.

The initial vote was 12-0. The unanimous vote sets the stage for future debate on legalizing same-sex marriage in the District and a clash with Congress, which approves the city’s laws under Home Rule. The council is expected to take a final vote on the legislation next month.”

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The Iowa Supreme Court, upholding a lower court decision, ruled unanimously this morning that a ban on same sex marriage is unconstitutional. The full story can be read at The Iowa Independant. The actual court decision can be read here.

Iowa’s first openly gay legislator, Senator Matt McCoy, explains why Iowa will not go backwards on civil rights. Watch the YouTube video.

National Stonewall Democrats released the following statement this morning:

Washington, DC –

Today, the Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement in response to a decision by the Iowa Supreme Court that found all Iowans have the freedom to marry under the Iowa Constitution:

“Stonewall Democrats applauds the ruling of the Iowa Supreme Court in Varnum vs. Brien and their finding that the Constitution of the State of Iowa does not permit discrimination.  This decision secures the freedom of religious institutions to continue, as they have to marry and recognize relationships they so choose.  In Varnum vs. Brien, six Iowa couples filed suit seeking the extension of marital protections to their families.  These courageous couples include Kate and Trish Varnum, founding members of the Linn County Stonewall Democrats.

Thanks to the courage of the couples involved in this case – and the expert guidance of Lambda Legal – Iowa now enjoys a competitive advantage among neighboring states – and indeed the entire Midwest – in attracting new businesses to the state and the best and brightest workers during this difficult economic climate.  In recent years, Iowa has long been afflicted by a ‘brain drain’, with a substantial portion of its young workforce moving to neighboring states for job opportunities.  Providing its workforce with the legal protections of marriage will help attract new investment and bring jobs back to the Hawkeye State.  This ruling is not only a benefit to Iowa’s families, but it is a boost to their state economy.

Stonewall Democrats throughout Iowa – and the entire nation – are celebrating this ruling as a vindication of human dignity and civil rights.  In the coming days and weeks and months, we will with working with Democrats and the statewide equality organization, One Iowa, to defend equality and protect the economic advantage that Iowa has gained today.”

- Jon Hoadley, Executive Director, Stonewall Democrats

This morning, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a 2007 decision by an Iowa District Court extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples in that state.

While the final court ruling came today, the Iowa Democratic Party has long supported marriage equality as a result of the hard work of Iowa Stonewall Democrats.  This position is clear and unequivocal as written in the state party platform.

Statement from the Iowa Stonewall Democrats

“As the statewide LGBT and allied caucus for the Iowa Democratic Party, Iowa Stonewall Democrats is thrilled with this result.  We are proud that Iowa Democrats fully support marriage equality, as is written in our state party platform.  Iowa is a great place to live, work and raise a family and this ruling continues this tradition.”

- Dean Genth, President, Iowa Stonewall Democrats

Statement from Linn County Stonewall Democrats

“We are so proud of our neighbors Kate and Trish, who are also founding members of the Linn County Stonewall Democrats.  We recognize the positive and significant impact that their case has on our entire state and how this ruling strengthens the legal standing of families and protects children throughout Iowa.”

- Harvey Ross, Chair, Linn County Stonewall Democrats

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Hat Tip to Pam’s House Blend:

Some times something as innocuous as a dictionary reflects a shift in culture. Such is the case as reported over at Pam’s House Blend.

The dictionary we all have used at one time or another, Merriam-Webster has recently published the definition of the word marriage;

Main Entry:
mar·riage Listen to the pronunciation of marriage
Pronunciation:
?mer-ij, ?ma-rij\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry
Date:
14th century

1 a (1): the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage (same-sex marriage) b: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock c: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected ; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities

3: an intimate or close union the marriage of painting and poetry – J. T. Shawcross

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