Friday November 24, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 47 |
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Monday, Oct 06, 2008
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Letters |
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| A REAL DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY REALIZED IN WASHINGTON Dear SGN, For the last eight years, an ad hoc organizing committee has come together to plan a party and raise funds to help build a real Democratic majority for our Washington State legislature for support on issues of importance to our GLBT and AIDS community. Recently, we have worked for a real Democratic majority in the State Senate to ensure equity for GLBT people with funds shared equally with the State House and Senate Democratic leadership. Once again on November 2nd the great party and celebration was held. Most of the money was already raised by the generous donations given to be listed as a sponsor of the event on the invitations. Donations ahead of time ensured that well over $40,000 was in the hands of the Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown for them to give to key campaigns that would help on our issues. The money is given as having come from the LGBT community and is a powerful voice for equality. This year, the money was well used and our new state House and Senate members will be much more receptive to our needs than in the past years. Kudos go to the organizing committee for running an event that did waste the money of the donors putting on the event, as many parts of the event were donated. At the same time, it was a great political party at the home and studio of Roy McMakin and Mike Jacobs and featured good wines, fine food and a great location. It has become the place to be -- prior to an election -- to catch up on the very best political gossip. This was made clear by the master of ceremonies, Senator-Elect Ed Murray, because the GLBT voice is made stronger by open Gay / Lesbian financial support of the Democratic leadership of the Washington State House and Senate. I will leave it to the social writers to tell about the folks present, but the leadership and many members of both houses of the legislature were on hand to greet new member Jamie Pedersen and other Gay members of the legislature. The effectiveness of the GLBT money and support can be seen in the new Democratic makeup of the state Senate (31-18) and House (62-36). We need to take these new margins and advance the needs of the GLBT community, and your voices need to be heard to help shape legislation. It is now clear to all that both the grassroots work and financially able GLBT voters can make a major difference in an election. When your hear about Fighting for the Majority next year, recall the powerful help that it gave to bring this victory into reality and join in by making a donation to become a sponsor. It will be good to have Sen.-elect Ed Murray, who will be the only Gay member of the Senate, able to carry-on his leadership in the higher body as we wish Jamie Pedersen the best in his new seat in the legislature. Sincerely, Don Moreland Co-Chair Fighting for the Majority THANKS SGN Dear SGN, Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's "Party at the Mansion" a smashing success. Over 400 guests attended the high-style gala at the Rainier Club, and I am pleased to report that the event raised nearly $120,000 for local HIV/AIDS organizations. Net proceeds from the event will be distributed as grants at our World AIDS Day event at the W Hotel on December 1. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide over $35 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. Starting with volunteers from fashion, furnishings, architecture and interior design, DIFFA supporters now come from numerous fields and disciplines. The Seattle chapter was formed in 1993 and has granted nearly $400,000 to local HIV/AIDS organizations. We are proud to consider you a partner in the fight against AIDS. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, John Stevens Board President DIFFA/Seattle THANKS SEATTLE [The following is an open letter to the people of Seattle from Reichen Lehmkuhl, author of Here's What We'll Say: Growing Up, Coming Out, and the US Air Force Academy.] Please accept my sincerest thanks and appreciation for the way you all worked together to make my and Lance's trip to Seattle a more-than-memorable occasion. From transportation to meals to honoring us at your community's most important establishments, we can't believe how well we were received. I've looked at the hundreds of photos that were sent to me after the event and it was obvious how happy we and everyone else was over our two days in Seattle. Besides all the fun we had, it was great to meet everyone who worked to make it happen on an individual basis. We were lucky to spend some time with some really impressive people. Seattle was, no doubt, our most welcomed stop on this on-going book tour. Thanks for believing in me and what I'm looking to accomplish by lifting the ban on Gay people in the military and by keeping myself visible to the general public while I do it. Any and all support you have given is a gift to me. All Love, Reichen |
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