Trans Grandparent, Political and Societal Activist, DNC Executive Committee Member
Trans Grandparent, Political and Societal Activist, DNC Executive Committee Member
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
I’vespokenbefore about the extreme differences between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party as regarding LGBTQ rights in General and transgender rights in particular, but in this election year, 2016, the extreme is pushed to the limits.
Despite the efforts of the few social moderates who remain with a voice, the 2016 RNC Convention Platform has apparently reached a new nadir in fostering hate and discrimination in their platform by also encouraging torture of LGBTQ youth by embracing conversion therapy, supporting North Carolinas HB2 and similar State legislation, and rejecting same sex marriage. (See the report in Time.)
The 2016 DNC Convention Platform is poised to be the most inclusive and positive for transgender Americans ever. The Rules for the Convention, the “Call” is the most inclusive and as of a week before the Convention begins, we have now identified 28 out Transgender Delegates who have been elected or appointed, a whopping 100 percent increase over the record 14 of 2012. Although the overwhelming majority are first time delegates, and come from states who are sending trans delegates for the first time, it is a very diverse group reflecting the overall demographics in the Democratic Party’s umbrella. Youth, Seniors, People of Faith, Labor leaders, progressive activists, Educators, Small Business entrepreneurs, Veterans, NGO employees, long term Democratic Party officials.
Advertisement
In alphabetical order
Superdelegates:
1.Laura Calvo -DNC Member -Oregon, LGBT Caucus Vice-Chair, this is her 2nd Convention
2.Barbra Casbar Siperstein-DNC Executive Committee Member-NJ-This is her 4th Convention
Delegates, Alternates, Committee Members:
3.Janice Covington Allison-NC-Credentials Committee, this is her 2nd Convention
4.Q Taylor Banister-CO-Alternate-1st time
5.Brandi Bowers-NE-Delegate-1st time
6.Joanne Carroll-PA-Delegate-1st time
7.Kimi Cole-NV-Delegate-1st time
8.Sharron Cooks-PA-Delegate-1st time
9.Monica Paige DePaul-FL-1st time
10.Mara Glubka-MN-Delegate-1st time
11.Anita Green-MT-Delegate-1st time
12.Sophia Jean Hawes-Tingey-UT-Delegate-1st time
13.Mara Keisling-DC-At-Large Platform-1st time as officially part of Delegation
14.Jennifer Long-NJ-Delegate-1st time
15.Wendy May-NC-Alternate-1st time
16.Merrick Moses-MD-Delegate-1st time
17.Teresa Ninneman-WI-Delegate-1st time* (unable to attend)
18.Danielle Jessica Pellett-TX-Delegate-1st time
19.Lesley Rebecca Phillips-MA-Delegate-2nd time
20.Cole Richardson-OR-Delegate-1st time
21.Mia Satya-CA-Delegate-1st time
22.Tessa James Scheller-OR- Delegate-1st time
23.Nico Serra-OR-Delegate-1st time
24.Melissa Sklarz-NY-Delegate-4th time
25.Jeanne Smith-IN-Delegate-1 Time
26.April Spilker-CA-Delegate-1st time
27.Lou Weaver-TX-Delegate-1st time
28.Tiffany Woods-CA-Delegate-1st time
Stunning is the number of 1st time delegates and the number of states sending delegates for the first time, such as CA, MT, FL, UT and NV!
States with multiple delegates are Oregon with 4, California-3, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and the host state, Pennsylvania each with 2.
The actual platform when approved at the Convention will be the Strongest ever for LGBT non discrimination and full inclusion!
Indications are that the LGBT Delegation will be the largest ever as a percentage of the total delegate representation.
Advertisement
The DNC Convention July 25-28 will be extraordinary!
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.