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

Nashville Pride Political Roundup

Despite the heat, thousands turned out for Nashville Pride today. Channel 5 offered some coverage. The Tennessean's coverage was more political with several folks interviewed talking about the 2009 Metro non-discrimination ordinance, the Don't Say Gay bill, and the birth certificate bill.

It was a good day for politicking. State Representative Mike Stewart was making the rounds. Candidate for State House district 58 Steven Turner and candidate for State Senate district 21 Jeff Yarbro were busy engaging voters. Newly announced candidate for Metro Council district 6 Pete Westerholm (an outgoing TEP board member) was busy working the TEP table and meeting people. I was pleased to see that the Tennessee Democratic Party also had a table busy with volunteers.

Volunteers at the TEP table registered voters, surveyed festival goers about discrimination, and increased awareness of the upcoming State Primary. All in all, it was a great day to build the movement for equality.