Say California's Stonewall Democrats |
Compiled By GayToday Los Angeles, California—The Stonewall Democratic Club, California's largest Democratic Club has unanimously endorsed Vice President Al Gore, Jr. to succeed Bill Clinton as President of the United States, becoming the first Democratic organization in the country to endorse in the 2000 presidential race. In a jam-packed room of activists, Stonewall President Eric Bauman presented the unanimous recommendation of the Stonewall board to endorse Gore. As the vote was called "all those in favor of endorsing Albert Gore, Jr. to be the Democratic Nominee for President in 2000, say aye," a loud, cheering chorus replied "AYE!"
Bauman continued, "Gore's record on the issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans is unsurpassed. From his own hiring of openly-gay staff, to his standing at-the-ready to cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Al Gore has been a constant champion of gay rights. "What other American political leader has delivered a major speech that included and focused on gay rights to a Baptist church in Tennessee? And who has lead the charge to make Medicaid available to those who are HIV-positive but not yet diagnosed with AIDS? When it comes to our community, Al Gore not only talks-the-talk, he walks-the-walk." In conclusion, Bauman said, "Gore's record of trend-setting on the technologic, information age and environmental issues we face in the next decade, coupled with his stewardship in the fight to improve education, preserve social security and medicare and make the federal government work for America, make him the leader America needs as our Nation faces the daunting challenges that lie ahead." Stonewall Community Vice President Alan Zimmerman said, "As an HIV-positive man, I believe my future depends on electing Al Gore the next President of the United States. Not one of the Republican candidates for President has HIV/AIDS on his or her agenda, except as a divisive wedge-issue . "Without the continued focus that Al Gore brings to the fight against HIV, tens-of-thousands of HIV positive Americans may suffer as government sponsored research and treatment programs cease to be a major focus of federal health policy." Stonewall Administrative Vice President Anne Marie Staas noted, "Al and Tipper Gore's work on behalf of healthcare, especially for parity in the treatment of mental health disorders, has been outstanding. As president, I know Al Gore will finally make healthcare a basic right for all Americans, including those with mental-health disorders. Stonewall Communication Vice President Laurence Zakson said, "Al Gore's approach to reinventing government is the kind of fresh idea our country needs to confront the issues of the 21st century. As Vice President, Al Gore has been a champion for civil rights and our members believe that no potential Democratic candidate can match his record." The Stonewall Democrats will be implementing a comprehensive campaign that will include voter registration, a major vote-by- mail program, a direct mail persuasion campaign, print media advertising and a massive grassroots get-out-the-vote program, designed to reach hundreds-of- thousands of lesbian and gay Californians. |