Dear TNDP Executive Committee: Less is not more

Disclosure: I'm a member of the Affirmative Action Committee of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

Earlier in the week, Sean Braisted alerted us that the diversity goals of the delegate selection plan for the 2012 Democratic National Convention were in danger and that includes the goals for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender delegates.

The new draft plan is to be voted on tonight by the TNDP's Executive Committee.

There's really never a good time to lower your standards, but now happens to be a really bad time. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people were among the groups heavily attacked during the recently concluded legislative session. Our community and our allies are pretty angry right now. Democrats ought to be offering a life line rather than kicking us when we're down.

If the whole moral thing isn't appealing, here's some information that some Ds know and others don't. TEP PAC volunteered and/or raised money for 12 of your House candidates in 2010. From a practical point of view, you really should consider how you could grow that number.

Lowering your goals for inclusion of our community won't inspire anyone to try harder for you.

-Chris Sanders