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Stonewall Democrats, also known in some states as LGBT Democrats, is the official caucus within the Democratic Party that advocates for issues that are relevant to LGBT Americans. The caucus primarily operates through individual state chapters supporting LGBT rights and affiliated with the Democratic Party. There are currently 31 statewide chapters that exist throughout the United States. The word "Stonewall" refers to the Stonewall riots of 1969, a pivotal event in the struggle for equal rights for LGBT people.
Contents
- History
- National Stonewall Democrats
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Democrats Abroad
- References
History
The first chapter of the LGBT Democrats, the Harvey Milk Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Democratic Club, was founded in the city of San Francisco in 1972. Since then, statewide chapters formed throughout the country. From 1982 to 1987, state and local LGBT Democratic groups in the United States coordinated their activities nationally through the Washington-based National Association of Gay and Lesbian Democratic Clubs. After the association closed, the groups communicated in 1995 through an online national network. The communication resulted in the groups' founding in 1996 of the Washington-based National Stonewall Democratic Federation to affiliate with the Democratic National Committee.
National Stonewall Democrats
National Stonewall Democrats were a Washington, D.C.-based group affiliated founded in 1998 at a meeting in Kansas City, MO, organized by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts. The group was incorporated in 1999.
The group described itself as "a grassroots force for social change within our movement and within our party." It had more than 90 chapters throughout the United States which focused on a variety of equality issues. The group also operated a political action committee (PAC) which coordinated campaign contributions and support from local chapters to endorse pro-equality Democrats in federal elections. Chapters throughout the country began chartering through them. Prior to 1996, LGBT Democratic clubs were not officially affiliated with the Democratic Party, and many operated independently.
The group's then executive director, Jerame Davis, announced on January 1, 2013, that it would suspend operations due to a financial deficit of $30,000. State and local chapters were expected to function normally.
Group executive directors included Michael Colby, Jon Hoadley, Chad S. Johnson, Daniel McGlinchey, Michael Mitchell, Dave Noble, Michael Perez, Eric Stern, Jo Wyrick and Paul Yandura.
Alabama
Alabama Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter of the state of Alabama. It was founded in 2005, and operates out of Birmingham.
Arkansas
Stonewall Arkansas is the official chapter in the state of Arkansas.
Arizona
Stonewall Democrats of Arizona are a LGBT organization and Political Action Committee devoted to advancing equal rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity; supporting the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates; and striving for equality and political change by promoting voter registration, education, and political participation. According to their platform, their goal is to "Elect members of the LGBT community and to endorse legislation that helps to prevent discrimination against members of this community."
California
The California Democratic Party LGBT caucus is the official chapter in the state of California. It operates out of Sacramento.
Colorado
Stonewall Democrats of Colorado is the official chapter in the state of Colorado.
Delaware
The Barbara Gittings Delaware Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Delaware. It was founded on February 1, 2003.
District of Columbia
The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club is the official chapter in the District of Columbia. It was founded in 1976 and is one of the oldest chapters in the country.
Florida
The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Florida. It operates statewide.
Georgia
The Democratic Party of Georgia LGBTQ Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Georgia.
Hawaii
The Democratic Party of Hawaii LGBT Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Hawaii. It operates out of Honolulu.
Iowa
Iowa Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Iowa.
Idaho
The LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Idaho is the official chapter in the state of Idaho. It was founded in 2013 and operates out of Boise.
Indiana
The Indiana Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Indiana.
Kansas
The Kansas Democratic LGBT Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Kansas. They operate out of Emporia.
Louisiana
Louisiana Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Louisiana. It operates out of Baton Rouge.
Massachusetts
Bay State Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Louisiana. It was founded in 1995 and operates out of Boston.
Michigan
The LGBT and Allies Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party is the official caucus in the state of Michigan. It was founded in 2013. The University of Michigan StonewallDems chapter became the first of its kind at a college or university in 2003. It has advocated for open housing, lifting the ban on gay men who wish to donate blood and statewide anti-bullying campaigns.
Minnesota
Stonewall DFL is the official caucus in the state of Minnesota.
Montana
Montana Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Montana.
Nebraska
The Douglas County Democrats LGBTQIA Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Nebraska.
Nevada
Stonewall Nevada is the official chapter in the state of Nevada. It operates under two affiliate organizations in Reno and Las Vegas.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of New Hampshire. It operates in Concord.
New Jersey
The New Jersey LGBT Democratic Caucus is the official chapter in the state of New Jersey.
New York
The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York is the official chapter in the state of New York. They have many affiliates throughout the state, including the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City.
North Carolina
LGBT Democrats of North Carolina is the official chapter in the state of North Carolina. They have affiliate organizations located in six different counties across the state.
Ohio
The Ohio Democratic Party LGBT Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Ohio. It was founded in 2006.
Pennsylvania
The LGBT Caucus of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party is the official chapter in the state of Pennsylvania.
Texas
The Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus is the official chapter in the state of Texas. It was founded on November 21, 1999. It was formerly known as the Lesbian/Gay Democrats of Texas, which formed in the early 1970's, making it one of the nation's oldest chapters.
Utah
Utah Stonewall Democrats is the official chapter in the state of Utah.
Virginia
LGBT Democrats of Virginia is the official chapter in the state of Virginia. It was founded in 2009, and was formerly known as Virginia Partisans.
Democrats Abroad
Democrats Abroad LGBT Caucus is the official caucus of LGBT Democrats who do not live in the United States.