Stonewall
The
“I must humbly reject the use
of the word ‘hero,’ because I
am not one. The people that
are the heroes are people like
Pam Simon; Congresswoman
Gabrielle Giffords; Gabe Zim-
merman, who unfortunately
we lost that day; Ron Barber;
the first responders; and also
people like Dr. Rhee, who
have done an amazing job
at making sure that Gabby
is okay and those who are
injured are being treated to the
best of our ability.”
- Daniel Hernandez Jr.
Congressional Intern
& LGBT Activist
Stonewall Democrats
of Dallas
PO Box 192305
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 506-DEMS
stonewalldemocratsofdallas.org
Advocate
Voter excitement turns to
Dallas City Council races
By Jesse Garcia
It’s a new year, and a new round of elections
important to the LGBT community will take place
within five months. All 15 Dallas City Council
seats, which includes the mayor, are up for a
vote. LGBT activists are hoping that new the
council remains pro-equality.
Adding to the excitement is the possibility of
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert not seeking a sec-
ond term, leaving an open mayoral seat and the
opportunity to elect a new mayor.
About the Positions
City council elections are held in May, every
odd year. The term for the mayor is four years.
The term for the council members is two years.
The mayor can serve two terms, while council
members can serve four terms. Citywide eligible
voters, an estimated 577,000-plus, can vote for
the mayor. Council members must live within
the single-member district they wish to repre-
sent and be elected by voters of that district.
Races are nonpartisan. Council members make
up to $37,500 a year, while the mayor receives
$60,000 annually. In 2011, they will oversee a
city of more than 1.2 million people and a yearly
budget of $2.7 billion.
LGBT Interests
Currently, the LGBT community enjoys a city
ordinance that prohibits discrimination based
on sexual orientation and gender identity in em-
ployment, housing and public accommodations.
A majority of the council members have partici-
pated in the annual pride parade in September.
LGBT Dallas residents have been appointed to
boards and commissions.
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas will make can-
didate recommendations at its Endorsement
Screening 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March
19, at the Resource Center Dallas, Rainbow
Room, located at 2701 Reagan St., Dallas, TX
75219. Stonewall members current with their
membership dues per bylaws can participate.
Recommendations will be presented to the gen-
eral membership for final ratification.
January 2011
Who May Come Back
As of today, no one has filed for an office (first
day to legally file with the City Secretary’s office
is Feb. 12). Eligible to serve a second term are
freshman council members Hon. Delia Jasso
(District 1) and Hon. Ann Margolin (District 13).
Eligible to run for a third term are Hon. Jerry
Allen (District 10), Hon. Tennell Atkins (District
8), Hon. Dwaine Caraway (District 4), Hon.
Carolyn Davis (District 7), Hon. Dave Neumann
(District 3), Hon. Vonciel Jones Hill (District 5),
and Hon. Sheffie Kadane (District 9). Eligible to
run for fourth term are Hon. Angela Hunt (District
14), Hon. Linda Koop (District 11), Hon. Pauline
Medrano (District 2), and Hon. Ron Natinsky
(District 12). The mayor of Dallas, Hon. Tom
Leppert, can run for a second and final term.
Who is Not Returning
Termed out this year is Hon. Steve Salazar
(District 6).
Speculation
Leppert may seek the U.S. Senate seat being
vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. That
election takes place in November 2012. Dallas
City Charter rules require city council members
who formally announce they are seeking another
office to relinquish their council seats. Leppert’s
supporters and media have reported he will not
seek another term. The mayor hasn’t officially
declared for higher office. Council members
interested in running for mayor, but have not
formally announced, are Caraway, Hunt and
Natinsky.
Outsiders
To date, only one Dallas resident officially has
announced Attorney Jim Moore (www.jim-
mooreformayor.com). Attorney Scott Griggs
(www.griggsfordallas.com) has announced a
run against Neumann in District 3. Community
Organizer Monica Alonzo intends to run for the
open seat in District 6. Attorney James Nowlin
(www.jamesnowlin.com) will seek the District 14
seat currently held by Hunt.
Saturday, May 14, is Election Day. Early voting
takes place May 2 to 10.u
Page 2
Obama to give State of the Union
By Jesse Garcia
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, President Barack
Obama will give his State of the Union
address, which will be televised at 8 p.m.
(Central Standard Time). Subjects that will
probably dominate the president’s speech
will be the economy (upward trend, job
creation and deficit reduction), the War in
Afghanistan and Global War on Terrorism,
and issues of education and health care.
Many predict the president will also ad-
dress the recent tragedy in Tucson, Ariz.,
and call for civility among Americans and
political parties.
LGBT activists anxiously await to hear
what equality proposals the President will
mention. In last year’s SOTU, which was
watched by more than 48 million people,
the president called for the repeal of Don’t
Ask Don’t Tell, and he followed through by
signing the repeal into law on Dec. 22.
Top civil rights priorities for the LGBT
community in 2011 include the repeal of
Defense of Marriage Act, a fully-inclusive
Employee Non Discrimination Act and the
Uniting American Families Act.
What is the State of the Union for LGBT
Americans? Under the Obama Administra-
tion, the following has been accomplished:
• Signed the Matthew Shepard and James
Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• Signed repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell
• Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treat-
ment Extension Act
• Signed the UN Declaration on Sexual
Orientation and Gender Identity
• Extended benefits to same-sex partners
of federal employees
• Lifted the HIV Entry Ban
• Issued diplomatic passports, and provided
The Stonewall Advocate
After the Tuscon tragedy,
many expect President Barack
Obama to include a call for
civility in his State of the Union
speech. Picture left to right:
Gay Latino Hero Daniel Her-
nandez Jr., President Barack
Obama, First Lady Michelle
Obama, Astronaut Mark Kelly
(husband of Congresswoman
Gabrielle Giffords) and Depart-
ment of Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano
attended the Jan. 12 memorial
service in Tuscon, Ariz.
other benefits, to the partners of same-sex
foreign service employees
• Committed to ensuring that HUD’s core
housing programs are open to all, regard-
less of sexual orientation or gender identity
• Conceived a National Resource Center for
LGBT Elders
• Banned job discrimination based on gen-
der identity in the federal government
• Eliminated the discriminatory Census Bu-
reau policy that kept gay relationships from
being counted
• Instructed the Department of Health and
Human Services to require any hospital re-
ceiving Medicare or Medicaid funds to allow
LGBT visitation rights
• Required all grant applicants seeking
Housing Urban Development funding to
comply with state and local anti-discrimina-
tion laws that protect LGBT individuals
• Adopted transgender recommendations on
the issuance of gender-appropriate pass-
ports that will ease barriers to safe travel
and that will provide government-issued ID
that avoids involuntary “outing” in situations
requiring ID, like hiring, where a gender-ap-
propriate driver’s license or birth certificate
is not available
• Extended domestic violence protections to
LGBT victims
• Extended the Family and Medical Leave
Act to cover employees taking unpaid leave
to care for the children of same-sex partners
• Issued guidance specifically to assist
LGBT tenants denied housing on the basis
of sexual orientation or gender identity
• Issued a National HIV/AIDS Strategy
• Issued guidance to 15,000 local depart-
ments of education and 5,000 colleges to
support educators in combating bullying
• Led the fight that reversed a 2010 UN vote
removing sexual orientation from the list of
things people should not be killed for
(List compiled originally by Andrew Tobias,
treasurer of the Democratic National Com-
mittee).u
January 2011
News
Briefs
General Meeting
The January Meeting of the Stone-
wall Democrats of Dallas will take
place at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan.
18, at Ojeda’s Restaurant, located at
4617 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219.
We will deputize voter registrars.
Please arrive at 6 p.m. for social
time. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
DCDP Executive Committee Meets
Dallas County Democratic Party will
hold its Executive Committee Meet-
ing at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8,
at the CWA Hall, located at 1408 N.
Washington Ave., Dallas, TX 75204.
All precinct chairs must attend.
Membership
Last month, 12 folks either joined
or renewed with the Stonewall
Democrats of Dallas: Susan An-
derson, Laila Crosby, Dr. Theresa
Daniel, Al Daniels, Pam Gerber,
Hon. Katy Hubener, Elaine Laroa,
Larry Lozon, Tony McMullin, Joseph
Miller, Kat Truitt and Hon. Tina Yoo.
Membership is only $35, which
includes memberships for the Texas
Stonewall Democratic Caucus and
National Stonewall Democrats. To
join, visit www.stonewalldemocrat-
sofdallas.org.
Nationwide Democratic Phone Call
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 11:30
a.m. (Central Standard Time), the
Democratic National Committee,
Organizing for America and National
Stonewall Democrats are hosting a
nationwide call to discuss progress
made over the last two years. The
current proposal to repeal the Afford-
able Care Act (Healthcare Reform) is
among the topics to be covered. All
Stonewall affiliates and members are
encouraged to join the call. The dial-
in information is: Operator Assisted
Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (888) 527-
0604, Conference Code # 37834221.
Operator Assisted International
Dial-In Number: (706) 634–7735,
Conference Code # 37834221.u
January 2011
President’s Lobby Day set
Corner for March 7
by Omar Narvaez, President
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
Happy New Year Stonewall! I would
like to thank the membership for having
the faith in electing me as your new
president. Our founding members
cleared the brush, and our past admin-
istrations paved the way. I’m ready to
drive us down the road into what will be
the next great chapter of Stonewall.
I’m proud to inform everyone that our
Holiday Party raised enough funds to
again cover the cost of the event and
for the first time split proceeds with
a very deserving group: Youth First
Texas. YFT will receive $800-plus.
Also, Legacy Founders Cottage re-
ceived hundreds of dollars in donations
and necessary items for their clients.
Our members’ generosity always goes
above and beyond for those in need!
In 2010, we saw Democrats win a
three-peat sweep of Dallas County
wide elections, and some losses in the
legislature. However, we must stay fo-
cused on the bright side and know that
the 2012 campaign begins now. We’ll
get back our lost House seats! We also
saw President Obama sign the repeal
of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” We still need
to work on a fully inclusive Employee
Non Discrimination Act and the repeal
of the Defense of Marriage Act.
I have sat down with the 2011 board of
directors and laid out our goals:
• elect an LGBT friendly Dallas mayor
and city council (hopefully support an
LGBT candidate in one of those races);
• recruit and train 30 LGBT election
judges and precinct chairs;
• grow membership to 300-plus;
• register 500 voters;
• and diversify our membership to at
least 33 percent minority, women and
young adults by December.
In order to help achieve more civil
rights for our community, we must work
with other communities. We must work
and interact with other LGBT organiza-
tions. Together we can achieve civil
rights for ALL people. I’m ready to lead,
and I’m ready to help do my part to DE-
FEND CHANGE one voter at a time!u
The Stonewall Advocate
Texas Stonewall chapters
to hold convention in Austin
prior to legislative visits
By Jesse Garcia
On Jan. 11, the 82nd Texas Legislature
convened and already six major pro-equal-
ity bills have been filed. LGBT activists are
prepared to engage legislators to make
them aware that LGBT voters are found in
every part of the state and demand full civil
rights.
Equality Texas
“Lobby Day” is being organized by state-
wide LGBT-rights organization, Equality
Texas, and is set for Monday, March 7.
Equality Texas encourages every LGBT
person to come and meet their state rep-
resentative and state senator to advocate
for bills that protect an LGBT person’s
safety in school, a study on current hate
crimes state law, an employment discrimi-
nation ban, an insurance discrimination
ban, the right for gay couples to be listed
on a child’s birth certificate, and the repeal
of the outdated sodomy law from Texas
books.
On March 7, LGBT activists will meet
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Austin.
Equality Texas invites participants to meet
at First United Methodist Church Family
Life Center, located at 1300 Lavaca St.,
Austin, TX 78701. After an orientation, ac-
tivists will head over to the capitol, located
at 1100 Congress Ave. Advanced registra-
tion is required in order to match each reg-
istrant to his or her legislative offices. You
may register at www.equalitytexas.org.
Free breakfast and lunch will be provided.
As of Jan. 15, the following pro-equality
bills have been filed:
• House Bill 665 by state Rep. Mike Villar-
real, D-San Antonio: Relating to prohibition
of employment discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation or gender identity/ex-
pression.
• Senate Bill 245 by state Sen. Wendy
Davis, D-Fort Worth: Relating to bullying,
including cyberbulling, in public schools.
• House Bill 172 by state Rep. Marc
Veasey, D-Fort Worth: Relating to a study
regarding the effectiveness of the James
Page 3
Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Act.
• House Bill 208 by state Rep. Roberto
Alonzo, D-Dallas: Relating to prohibition of
certain insurance discrimination.
• House Bill 415 by state Rep. Rafael An-
chia, D-Dallas: Relating to the information
on the supplementary birth certificate of an
adopted child.
• House Bill 604 by state Rep. Jessica Far-
rar, D-Houston: Relating to the repeal of
the offense of homosexual conduct.
“Lobby Day provides a rare opportunity for
us as LGBT people to have face-to-face
time with our legislators or staff members
and to make our voices heard on issues
that matter to us,” said Texas Stonewall
Democratic Caucus President Daniel
Graney of San Antonio. “Second, we need
to go to Austin to show support for our
Democratic allies left standing in the state
legislature. Their ranks have been deci-
mated since the November 2010 election
and we need to communicate our support
for those who want to help rebuild our
State Democratic Party.”
TSDC Biennial Statewide Conference
Coinciding with the Lobby Day event is
the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus’
Second Biennial Statewide Conference.
Stonewall members from all over Texas
will meet at the Hilton Garden Inn in down-
town Austin the weekend of March 5-6.
“There will be motivational speakers,
workshops and plenary sessions and
awards will be presented. The theme
of the conference is ‘The New Political
Landscape In Texas: Where Do We Go
From Here?’” said Graney. “We encourage
LGBT Democrats and their allies to come
to Austin so that we can network and learn
best practices on helping to rebuild our
party in our local communities.”
The registration fee for the conference is
$75. For information about the conference,
sponsorship opportunities and a tentative
schedule, please visit www.texasstone-
walldemocrats.org. Stonewall members
that plan to attend need to book their hotel
reservations at the discounted group rate
no later than Feb. 10.
Stonewall organizations are found in Aus-
tin, Denton County, the lower Rio Grande
Valley, San Antonio and Tarrant County.
Two chapters are located in both Dallas
and Houston since each of these cities
have active Stonewall Young Democrats
chapters in addition to the regular chap-
ters.u
January 2011
Stonewall
Spotlight
featuring Don Maison
What are the biggest issues in America
in your opinion? Fascism, and a failure
to learn important lessons from history.
Intolerance, including racism, homophobia,
anti-immigrant hysteria and sexism.
What do you do for a living? For living,
I love to travel. I enjoy studying Spanish
(I’m a perennial student). I enjoy being with
my friends, old and new. I enjoy read-
ing (Publications: The Nation, The New
Republic, The New York Times and The
Texas Observer. Blogs: Joe.My.God, Towl-
erroad, Americablog, Crooks and Liars and
Daily Kos). For “a living,” I’m fortunate to
have a job that could be best described by
Matthew: 25.
Tell us about AIDS Services of Dallas,
where you serve as President and CEO.
AIDS Services of Dallas is the assumed
name of our nonprofit organization, which
is PWA Coalition of Dallas, Inc. Most
people don’t know what a PWA Coalition
is, and most are now defunct. PWA Coali-
tions were founded by people living with
AIDS in the 1980s; ours actually began as
an unincorporated association in 1983 and
emerged from an organization called “Oak
PO Box 192305
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 506-DEMS
stonewalldemocratsofdallas.org
The Stonewall Advocate is a monthly publication of
the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. To contact the
publisher, e-mail Jesse Garcia at jesse@jessegar-
cia.org. No portion of this newsletter may be repro-
duced without permission.
President Omar Narvaez
Vice President Michael Wetter
Treasurer Mike McCue
Secretary Phyllis Guest
SDD Annual Memberships:
$35 General Level
$120 Truman Level
$300 Jefferson Level
$600 Kennedy Level
$1,200 Roosevelt Level
The Stonewall Advocate
Stonewall Member Don Maison serves as
president and CEO of AIDS Services of Dallas.
Photo courtesy of David Taffet, Dallas Voice.
Lawn Mail & Message Service,” which
provided employment opportunities for
people diagnosed with AIDS (these were
days before we knew what HIV was). Our
mission is housing and the services that
accompany that: medical case manage-
ment, home care, transportation, food
service and volunteer coordination.
How can one help with your agency?
We always need money and because
grants don’t cover all costs. And grants fre-
quently don’t pay for basic amenities of liv-
ing, like transportation to the grocery store.
We have more than 1,000 volunteers in 62
or more “Supper Clubs” that bring evening
meals to residents at Ewing, Revlon and
Reminder: January General Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 18
6 p.m. Social & 6:30 p.m. - Meeting
at Ojeda’s Restaurant
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Tuscon, Arizona.
Get well Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords!
Page 4
Hillcrest. We maintain a food bank for the
residents of Spencer Gardens.
Who was the first Democrat you voted
for? The first Democrat I actually voted for
was Hubert Humphrey in 1968.
Why are you a Democrat? I’m proud of
the Democratic Party for all the important
changes in our society that have ben-
efited our nation: Social Security (FDR). I
am proud to be a member of the party of
FDR, who rescued this country from the
Great Depression and stopped fascism in
Europe; I proud to be part of a party that
integrated our Armed Services (Truman).
I proud to be in a party that championed
and passed The Civil Rights Act of 1964
(Kennedy/Johnson). I am proud to be a
member of the party that championed
health care for Americans. Thanks to OUR
party, young people will be able to stay on
their parents’ insurance plan until they are
26 --and by then, the insurance companies
will not be able to say “no” to them. I am
proud to be a member of the party of Rob-
ert Francis Kennedy, who fought for the
poor and disenfranchised. I am proud to
be a member of the party of the late Sen.
Edward M. Kennedy, who championed
those who were without hope.
If you could tell President Obama one
thing, what would it be? Damn it! I gave
you a lot of money and you’ve never even
invited me to dinner!u