Stonewall Democrats Hit The Red States

We were lucky enough to attend a National Stonewall Democrats training and meeting in Oklahoma City this past weekend. NSD's new Executive Director, Jon Hoadley, is making an effort to bring the national force to local chapters, and in places that are traditionally Republican.

The weekend began with a reception at the host hotel, Hilton Skirvin. The hotel in downtown OKC is one of the nicest places around, and was home to many past oil meetings of course. At the reception, we heard from Jon, as well as openly gay officials in Oklahoma. Yes, they exist, and yes they are on the state level, unlike in Texas. We heard from State Representative, Al McAffrey, who is not only gay but a member of the Choctaw Nation. We also heard from Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth (a former Oklahoma County Commissioner), who was appointed to the position by Governor Brad Henry. We also had a brief impromptu appearance by former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh, who was speaking at another meeting down the hall. Also in attendance among the many Stonewall members, was openly gay Colorado State Representative Mark Ferrandino of Denver. After the reception, we got to experience the gay nightlife of OKC. Let us just say that it was less podunk that we first expected, and OKC has a lively gay community.

Saturday treated us to media training from GLAAD. Afterwards, we all visited the Oklahoma City Memorial where the Murrah Building once stood. It is a very moving sight in the evening, with 168 chairs lit up, representing the lost lives. At each end stands a gate, with a reflection pool down the center. Afterwards, the Oklahoma Young Stonewall Democrats hosted us for some drinks as well.

Now back in Texas, it doesn't stop there. Tomorrow night, February 25 from 7-9PM, National Stonewall Democrats will host an LGBT Presidential Town Hall at the S4 nightclub in the Rose Room, on Cedar Springs Rd in Dallas. NSD Executive Director Jon Hoadley will conduct the town hall with Obama's LGBT Campaign Adviser Tobias Wolff and Clinton's LGBT Campaign Director Mark Walsh. This event will discuss how each campaign will affect the LGBT community. If that interests you, be there with bells on!