Stonewall Democrats, the largest grassroots network of LGBT activists in the nation, has publicly dropped its support of the Democratic Party's LGBT fundraiser scheduled for next week. The Stonewall Democrats join a growing list of high-profile individuals who have decided not to support the event in anger over the Department of Justice's disturbing defense of DOMA brief.
The Stonewall Democrats have an additional complaint however. They say that while the Democratic Party has offered them financial support in the past, they were unexpectedly cut off from funding this year.
Wrote the board members to DNC finance director Tom Petrillo:
"[W]e are incredibly disappointed that the DNC has made a decision to
withhold any financial support to National Stonewall Democrats this
year but is in turn asking us to help raise money for the DNC in a
difficult financial environment. The DNC has historically supported
National Stonewall through sponsorship of the annual Capitol Champions
event. This year, we did not receive any support. The DNC has
traditionally provided materials for the many Pride parades and
festivals around the country to help educate the LGBT community about
why the Democratic Party is the Party for full LGBT equality. This year
we were informed that we would not be receiving any materials or
support for producing materials for the various nationwide Pride
activities. These decisions were very disappointing."
Ben Smith has more of the emails at Politico.
Andrew Sullivan has called for an end to donations to the Democratic Party until action is taken on issues of importance to the LGBT community.
Writes Sullivan: "We need actions to highlight the administration's betrayals,
postponements and boilerplate. We need to start confronting the
president at his events. We need civil disobedience. We need to tell
him we do not want another fricking speech where he tells us he is a
fierce advocate for our rights, when that is quite plainly at this
point not true. We will not tolerate another Clinton. No invites to
these people for dinners or fundraisers. No cheering him at events
while he does nothing to follow up on his explicit promises.
Of course these things can be done. If anyone high up in the Obama
administration or the Pelosi-Reid Congress gave a damn, much would have
been done."
UPDATE: Former co-chair of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council Stampp Corbin has dropped out of the fundraiser as well. His post.
Previously…
Democratic Party LGBT Fundraiser Tainted by DOMA Brief [tr]
Two More Drop Out of LGBT DNC Fundraiser Over DOMA Brief [tr]
