Up Against the Wall? Wyoming's First Stonewall Democrats Chapter Debuting Soon!

Over the past several months, dedicated local activists have been working diligently to create Wyoming's first Stonewall Democrats Chapter, marking a poignant increase in gay political infrastructure in the state. As our fledgling chapter of such a respected and influential national organization draws toward the selection of its first officers, I thought it pertinent to provide a few details about this truly significant organization and what it has done to support the national gay rights movement.

Founded in 1998 by openly-gay Representative Barney Frank, Stonewall is a national grassroots network uniting LGBT activists across the country in supporting gay-friendly legislation, candidates and campaigns. According to their website:

"We focus on creating change in three ways: educating the LGBT community about the differences between the political parties; mobilizing the LGBT community to get out to vote on Election Day for fair-minded Democrats; and standing up when Republicans attack our families and our civil rights while we lead the Democratic party to continue improving its record on issues important to our community"

More than just an office of political groupies, Stonewall does the dirty work in pursuing LGBT-favorable election results. They are in the trenches with legislators, on the streets with candidates, standing at the doors of voters. And now, they're in the trenches of wyoming as well and,given the recent failed marriage bill, Stonewall's timing couldn't be better.

According to the Casper Star-Tribune, said marriage bill, HJR17, made it as far as it did thanks to Focus on the Family. This christian fundamentalist organization, based in Colorado Springs, has for years provided the financial and political clout behind anti-gay initiatives throughout the country. In Wyoming, they incepted an expansive phone campaign urging legislators and their constituits to support their bill. According to Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response for Focus on the Family Action, the group felt it necessary to contact Wyoming voters because "marriages between men and women are the best foundation for society and provide the best environment for raising children"(Trib, 1/21/09). Clearly, Wyoming has become their latest target in a national campaign to curtail civil liberties, and Stonewall will likely be among our strongest protections against their influence.

For LBGT rights to gain a foothold in Wyoming, we need to establish an expansive and easily-mobilized infrastructure of activists and activists willing to protect our rights. Welcome, and thanks, to National Stonewall and the Wyoming chapter of Stonewall Democrats for becoming our best newest defense against out of state organizations who would subvert us.


For more information on National Stonewall, visit 111.stonewalldemocrats.org, and for info on the local chapter, contact the blogger.