Steel City Stonewall Democrats - 2009 Accomplishments

Our organization thrives only with the support of its members and the community and we are proud of all that has been accomplished in the past year. The board has also worked incredibly hard and persistently on pro-LGBT issues and candidates.  I am deeply grateful to them.        

                                                                                                                                                                                     –Dana Elmendorf

2009 Accomplishments

• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Collaboration to win passage of the Allegheny County Non-Discrimination ordinance in July
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Packed the room at our February endorsement meeting where candidates lined up to speak to the community about their reasons for requesting our support. Over the year we have noted an increase in candidates directly reaching out to us, asking to meet with us and asking for our support.  Our chapter and local community are being viewed as a vital and credible part of the political process. More and more, we are at the table with all our diverse points of view.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Helped constituents schedule meetings with state legislators and attended with them to discuss HB300, the state non-discrimination bill.  SCSD is also a member of the Value All Families Coalition and works with groups across the state on key legislation.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Got information out to the community at PRIDE 2009 and also lined up political speakers who addressed the crowd from the main stage at the start of the festival. Co-hosted a training during Pride called “How Average Citizens Can Change Government Action”
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Increased our paid membership rolls through a renewal campaign and education on the benefits of paid membership vs. simply being on our e-mail list.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Helped plan and host a summer reception for Congressman Patrick Murphy, the lead sponsor of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  Rep. Murphy is facing stiff opposition in his reelection campaign in a conservative part of the state.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Held fundraisers and participated in getting out the vote for Thomas Michelow, a candidate for County Council who we hoped would replace someone who has made anti-gay remarks. Our fundraiser for Tom greatly exceeded our goal and we were thrilled to support him.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Created a campaign to help the community understand the 2010 Redistricting process and encouraged people to vote through posting our endorsements and passing out slate cards.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Open board meetings have allowed community members to attend and participate in the discussions although the board retains voting rights. The discussions are often lively.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Hosted several Mayoral debate parties.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Posted a public statement denouncing anti-gay remarks made by State Senator Eichelberger.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Became a community sponsor of the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and also a film at the Kelly Strayhorn theatre.  Sat on panels and presented information.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Hosted  Desserts for Democrats in the Spring and a Fall Hot Dog Roast at the home of member Joanne Bostjanick. These events gave people a chance to meet and ask questions of candidates.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Members of the Board participated in and engaged members in National work such as the Maine Marriage Campaign,  the National Equality March and lobbying for ENDA .
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">National Stonewall views Steel-City as a vital chapter that works to move key LGBT issues forward.  National often reaches out directly to our chapter leadership. Representatives from our board, in turn, have been regular attendees on the Leadership Council calls with National Stonewall.

Opportunities ahead

• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">The 2010 races, including that for Governor and the Senate  will be hot races and it is vital our community has a chance to meet with candidates directly and offer education on their stances to the LGBT community and allies.  As a local blogger who writes on political issues said…”if someone is willing to support LGBT issues, then that’s a politician I can trust”. 
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Our Endorsements are member driven. Work remains for our endorsement meeting which will be late March in preparation for the May 18 Primaries and November elections.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">There will be continued work on state legislative issues .
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">We are rolling out a project to more effectively use New Social Media such as Twitter.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">After all the work, the results of the November elections were disheartening. Progressive voter turnout was extremely low and key judicial slots were lost to hard right conservatives. We will, however, continue to work with those we endorsed who were elected and to continue to encourage our community to vote and be involved in the political process.
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">We have several open board positions which are critical.  The current board members who will be continuing feel their skills are best being utilized in their current positions.  This is a great opportunity for someone who has six hours a month to participate.  Please contact president@steel-city.org if  you want to hear more.

Questions that remain

• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">With limited volunteer time, should we focus more on issues advocacy or on engaging Democratic party officials ?
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Are we at the table and effectively engaging in the political process or do we need to be more direct about why we deserve support from the Democratic party and its elected officials?
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;"> Are we doing enough to reach out to the community? Do we need to reach out more to allies and more diverse community members?
• http://stonewalldemocrats.org/themes/ngp/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em;">Who’s the “WE” in all of this?  How can we encourage more people to take on leadership within Steel-City Stonewall?