A donor talks about why he supports the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
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By Paul W. Horning II
Contact
Paul W. Horning II chairs the Board of Directors of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation's largest LGBT political action committee.
He is the Senior Vice President for Wealth Management at Citi Smith Barney in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resides.
He has been assisting individuals for over 25 years in achieving their
financial goals. Prior to joining Citi Smith Barney, Horning was
employed at Morgan Stanley, and at Bank One of Springfield, IL.
He received his M.B.A. at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
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I've been a member of the DNC's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council (GLLC) since 2000 when it was created. I had the opportunity to meet Andy Tobias, the longtime Treasurer of the DNC, when I attended my first Outgiving Conference hosted by the Gill Foundation in the fall of that same year. Andy talked about forming the GLLC and invited me to attend a fundraiser for Vice President Gore in Texas where President Clinton was going be the featured speaker. I remember thinking how wonderful it was to have the President of the United States actually addressing a LGBT group. Wouldn't it be great to have another President in the White House that would reach out to our community? Just think how we could advance our civil rights!
Since 2000, I have seen a lot of positive changes in the DNC. Of course, the DNC is going to play a critical role in getting a Democratic President elected in November, but it also has never been more committed to helping the LGBT Community obtain equal rights.
Therefore, it is vital to brand contributions made by members of the LGBT community to demonstrate the significant level of LGBT giving. This is important whether it's to a charitable organization or to a political party. Giving through the GLLC does just that - it identifies "Gay money" and, in turn, provides the DNC with the resources to give candidates contributions at higher limits than an individual can accomplish giving directly to a candidate.
The GLLC is also a wonderful source for political information and it provides networking opportunities with like-minded donors from around the nation. The GLLC is our voice within the Democratic Party. We should take advantage of the GLLC by getting involved, using it to funnel our political contributions to progressive Democratic candidates and promoting it by encouraging our LGBT colleagues to do the same.
WHAT IS THE GAY AND LESBIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (GLLC)?
Founded in the heat of the 2000 Presidential election campaign, the DNC's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council is a strong symbol of the important role that LGBT Americans play within the Democratic Party.
The GLLC has two primary goals:
1. Support the Democratic Party's progressive, inclusive platform by spreading the word and electing Democrats.
2. Highlight LGBT Americans' contributions to the political process.
These two goals are accomplished by:
> Raising money.
> Organizing events that raise political awareness, cultivate new members, and provide a venue to discuss issues.
> Keeping our membership appraised of the political happenings within the Party and the community.
GLLC members receive invitations to issue and political briefings, timely fax or e-mail political updates, and reciprocal benefits in other Leadership Councils.
WHY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (DNC)?
1. To WIN
2. To widen our lead in Congress
3. To win back the White House
Not to mention the state legislative chambers, the Supreme Court, and so much else that hangs on how well we turn out progressive voters on November 4th.
"I believe that every American deserves respect and dignity and equal rights under the law."
--DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Remarks at Eastern University, 3/29/07
PROGRESS FOR LGBT AMERICANS IN THE STATES
> Democrats we have help to elect have blocked anti-LGBT ballot initiatives, passed civil unions bills, extended protections against employment discrimination, and passed second parent adoption bills.
OUTREACH TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY
> The DNC's political trainings for field staff included essential outreach to the LGBT Community.
> The DNC's National Lawyers Council has set up a working group to advance voter education and opportunities for people in the Transgender community.
> Governor Dean appointed a record 7 openly LGBT members to the standing committees of the Democratic National Convention, Governor Dean became the first chairman in DNC history to appoint a transgender standing committee member.
> The DNC worked with State Parties and National Stonewall Democrats to reach out to LGBT organizations of color to promote greater inclusion.
> The DNC is building a 2008 PRIDE at the Polls program that will include unprecedented outreach by the DNC.
> At the DNC's 2007 Winter Meeting, the DNC passed a resolution calling for a comprehensive National AIDS Strategy and hosted HIV/AIDS awareness workshops.
WHAT A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS MEANS FOR LGBT AMERICANS
The election of a Democratic Congress has meant an end to Republican efforts to scapegoat the LGBT community by pushing mean-spirited constitutional amendments. Instead, Congress is debating how best to protect the LGBT community from workplace discrimination and hate crimes.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES POSITIONS ON LGBT RIGHTS
The positions on equality of Senator Obama and Senator McCain, could not be more opposite. The two parties also hold very different positions on LGBT equality. Senator Obama supports the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, supports
federal benefits for LGBT couples, supports inclusion of sexual
orientation and gender identity in the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act, and endorses passage of a federal hate crimes bill. Senator McCain opposes all of these equality goals.
Of the 16 candidates for president who started the race in Iowa in January 2008, all the eight 2008 Republican presidential candidates were rated by eQualityGiving as Anti Equality. The eight 2008 Democratic presidential candidates were rated as follows: two Pro Equality (Kucinich and Gravel) and six as Heartbreakers.
LGBT DELEGATES TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
For the first time in history, the DNC's 2008 Delegate Selection Rules required state parties to adopt inclusion plans for increasing LGBT participation in the convention and in party affairs. As a result, 50 out of 56 states and territories have set numeric goals LGBT delegates-up from 16 states in 2004.
The LGBT community should support Democrats because we believe in an America that respects the rights and dignity of every American.
Together, their record shows that...
...the best way to stand up for the LGBT community is to elect Democrats!
