The Texas Democratic Party and Texas Stonewall Democrats invite you to join us at the Equality Forward Summit on April 5-7.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Summit, including a detailed schedule and registration information.
Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and Texas Democratic Party Announce Equality Forward Summit
Barney Frank As Featured Speaker
The Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus (TSDC) and the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) will hold an Equality Forward Summit in Austin, TX at the Airport Hilton from April 5th to the 7th. Former U.S. Representative Barney Frank will keynote the Summit’s Saturday evening event. Houston Mayor Annise Parker will introduce Frank, the openly gay former U.S. congressman from Massachusetts.
“I know some people want Texas to secede (again) but the opposite is happening – the trends of increasing support for Democrats nationally are moving Texas in the same direction as the rest of the country.” – Barney Frank
The TDP was the first Southern state party to endorse marriage equality, and this Equality Forward Summit continues the collaborative relationship between the TSDC and the TDP. The summit will inform and educate the Texas LGBT community on matters of politics and policies, and update the TDP on the issues most important to the LGBT community.
“Texas will take the lead in the South to advance equality. The Texas Stonewall Democrats and the Texas Democratic understand and are committed to work together because only then can Texas make a difference for all of its citizens.” – Eli Olivarez, President, Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus
Program Chair for the summit, Felipe Gutierrez, stated, “As we move forward on President Obama’s commitment to the LGBT community a strong coalition is vital to the process.”
“The Texas Democratic Party understands the importance of equality, and we stand with our LGBT brothers and sisters in the continued work to move Texas Forward.” – TDP Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa
The Summit will provide trainings by the TDP, TSDC and other expert and activist groups. A Frank Take on The Road Ahead will take place on Saturday the 6th at 7:30pm. Conference Details Here.
2012 TDP PLATFORM
• Marriage Equality
Texas Democrats join President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in calling for and affirming equal rights including marriage equality for all Americans. We, along with our President and Vice President, recognize that same sex marriages should be valid and legal in America.
Texas Democrats support President Obama and the United States Justice Department in recognizing that the Federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and in refusing to defend DOMA in any Federal Court proceeding. We call for the total repeal of DOMA. Eight states and the District of Columbia have now recognized marriage equality and have legalized same sex marriages. Texas Democrats support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our state, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act. We support the repeal of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, the Texas Defense of Marriage Act and the Texas Constitutional Marriage Amendment and oppose other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving same sex couples.
• Adoption
We support adoption of children by loving qualified parents regardless of marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or expression, and the rights of families created by those adoptions.
GET INVOLVED
LGBT LEADERSHIP
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Elias Olivarez • President, Texas Stonewall Democrats tel. 956.655.1687 Email Elias Olivarez |
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Jay Narey • SDEC COMMITTEEMAN tel. 214.207.4462 Email Jay Narey |
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Carol Cappa • SDEC COMMITTEEWOMAN tel. 817.306.8874 Email Carol Cappa |
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Glen Maxey • DNC COMMITTEEMAN tel. 512.656.6337 Email Glen Maxey |
