Steve Brittle has been described, probably by himself, as a 'hell-raising environmentalist.' People refer to me as a gay rights activist. Together we have decided to use our network of friends and acquaintances, Steve's political savvy, and our combined organizational ability to re-start Arizona Stonewall Democrats.
So far so good. We have officers and a board, a steering committee of 15, a bank account ready and accepting donations, we've registered with the Secretary of State, we'll distribute flyers at the National Kiss In this Saturday, and will have regular meetings at the Arizona State Democratic Party HQ (Thomas and Central in Phoenix) starting Saturday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. We are in the final design stages of designing our logo and now that we're organized, we are ready to launch our website, Arizonastonewalldemocrats.org, which will be up as quickly as we can get it designed.
Our local GLBT newsmagazine is N'Touch. They have done wonders for us by announcing us with their cover story this issue.
Above all, we know that the key to change is to change the Arizona Legislature. The Democratic Party spent millions in the last election in close races that were unsuccessful. It just so happens that Steve ran the most successful campaign in Arizona history for members of the Corporation Commission and he's going to use the same strategies to help elect anyone and everyone who will work with us. (His campaign garnered more than a million votes for his candidate, which had never before been done in Arizona!)
We know there is still anger in the community over having lost our fight for marriage equality in Arizona last November. Add to that California and Florida's defeat, plus what happened in Alabama, and we're still livid under the surface. We also know that no one in Arizona has figured out how to channel that anger into constructive change since the November elections last year. We believe our simple plan is the answer and that we will be joined by thousands of Arizonans, gay and straight, ready for change.
With that in mind, we have set a HEROIC GOAL and put together a very simple plan. We are simply going to tap that huge reservoir of GOODWILL in our GLBT brothers and sisters to raise an army committed to help candidates win elections. However, unlike in the past, this time we will require any candidate who wants our help to sign a pledge that they will support and defend our civil rights once elected. If they won't sign the pledge, we won't work for them. Once elected we'll hold them to their pledge.
Our Arizona Stonewall Democrats army will work to elect candidates in 2010, and those candidates will refer an initiative to the ballot in 2012 we are calling Equal Means Equal. We want everyone to know that is our goal. We have nothing to hide. That will be our mantra, our slogan, our constant goal. Winning at the ballot will negate the recent amendment establishing marriage as between a man and a woman, and provide equality in all matters of civil law in Arizona.
It's about time! We've now been a state 97 years and all 97 years have been without equality for all.
So, if you live in Arizona, we are here to recruit you! Come to our meeting on August 22nd and let's get started with the work of changing Arizona!
Email this page
Printer-friendly version
Powered by