Stonewall Democrats

[Amy Martin]

The National Directory of LGBT Democrats
STONEWALL DEMOCRATS

There are LGBT Democratic groups across the US that work to elect pro-LGBT Democrats in federal, state, and local elections, serve as a bullhorn for LGBT governmental issues, and supply LGBT voters to ballot boxes.

I'd like to know what the Stonewall Democrats have against gay men? Just checked their endorsements and their endorsement for Ward 3 is John Litten over an openly gay candidate, Jeff Wise.

[Michael Deneen]

I'd like to know what the Stonewall Democrats have against gay men? Just checked their endorsements and their endorsement for Ward 3 is John Litten over an openly gay candidate, Jeff Wise.

Good question. It would be understandable to endorse a straight candidate over a member of the LGBTQ community if said candidate were a conservative republican (for example Milo what's-his'-name).

However, Jeff Wise has a long and distinguished history of fighting for gay rights.
He came out during his adolescence. As a student, he formed a gay-straight alliance at conservative Ashland University. The administration denied official recognition of the group. Members of the group risked getting into trouble if they met on campus.
Jeff is happily married. He is a responsible, hard working member of the community. He's exactly the type of person one would think the Stonewall Dems would proudly promote.

Instead, they endorse John Litten.
Litten has an undistinguished tenure on council (one term) with no history of LGBTQ advocacy.

CSD defenders (if they respond to this at all) will say, "John earned the endorsement by bringing more people to the endorsement meeting. If you don't like it, join the club (i.e. "give us money") and support your candidate".
That is nothing more than a lame sales pitch...it doesn't address the underlying flaws in the endorsement process.

I really have to wonder if the majority of CSD's members could tell the difference between Harvey Milk and Harvey Keitel.

[Bridget Conant]

Amy

Thank you for staying on top of this.

As I posted in the other thread, this complete dismissal of a capable, politically active LGBTQ person in favor of an undistinguished establishment candidate, with no record of even supporting LGBTQ rights, throws literally all of the CSD “endorsements” into the “don’t bother” category.

[Bill Call]

I suspect it's all about the money. The County has a vested interest in seeing certain candidates elected. They dangle promises of financing for organizations or projects to get what the candidate they want. Where does the promised money come from?

Some say that the private foundations created with Lakewood Hospital money are part charity and part political action committee.

[Amy Martin]

I would like to challenge John Farina to explain to us on this forum why the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats chose to endorse John Litten over Jeff Wise.

There needs to be an explanation, especially in light of Jeff's contributions to the gay community and John Litten's lack thereof.

[Amy Martin]

Also, as an employee of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, does John Litten support LGBTQ rights, including marriage?

Even if he does privately, he may not be able to say so publicly due to his employment status. So - why did CSD endorse John Litten?

[Bridget Conant]

Also, as an employee of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, does John Litten support LGBTQ rights, including marriage?

Even if he does privately, he may not be able to say so publicly due to his employment status. So - why did CSD endorse John Litten?

The Catholic Diocese’s actions show they do not approve:

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/loc ... y-marriage

In Medina, the Diocese has concerns over LGBTQ non-discrimination legislation. They feared “religious discrimination” would result:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.clevel ... utType=amp

[Michael Deneen]

Also, as an employee of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, does John Litten support LGBTQ rights, including marriage?

To be fair, many (if not most) Diocese employees don't buy into the anti-gay dogma.
I was raised Catholic and attended ten years of Catholic school....I can honestly say I was never brainwashed or coerced into hating gays.

However, I'm sure some folks will look at Amy and Bridget's comments and think "The gays and their allies are persecuting John Litten for his Catholic faith!".
Team Summers will try to have it both ways.... depending on the audience, they will claim to be either supported or persecuted by the gay community.

[Amy Martin]

Mike, I know that most employees of the Catholic Diocese do not buy into the anti-gay dogma of the Catholic Church, but they must sign a form, as a condition of employment, denouncing many things, including LGBTQ rights. My neighbor teaches at a Catholic School and had to sign a "morality" clause stating that she could be fired for attending a gay wedding.

Having been raised a Catholic, I understand the polarity of many of these "moral" issues.

My point - did Cleveland Stonewall Democrats actually ask John Litten about his position on actual LGBTQ issues? If so, what were his answers? If not, why did they endorse him over an openly-gay candidate who has made actual contributions to the LGBTQ community?

[Dan OMalley]

My point - did Cleveland Stonewall Democrats actually ask John Litten about his position on actual LGBTQ issues? If so, what were his answers? If not, why did they endorse him over an openly-gay candidate who has made actual contributions to the LGBTQ community?

Of course. The stonewall endorsement process is rigorous and there are no exceptions. Each candidate must fill out a thorough questionnaire, be interviewed by a panel of members, and then also has the opportunity to speak to the full membership before the endorsement vote.

This is nothing against Jeff Wise of course, but when people ask what John Litten has done for LGBTQ rights, could the record be any clearer? In the last four years we have passed the most comprehensive LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance in the state of Ohio, passed a ban on conversion therapy, ensured trans-inclusive health benefits, and much more. John Litten has been a total ally for us in the LGBTQ community as a councilperson.

[Amy Martin]

Guess I just can't understand why a gay candidate wouldn't be considered a better ally of their own community, especially by a gay advocacy organization.

[Michael Deneen]

This is nothing against Jeff Wise of course

Yes, Dan, it is against Jeff Wise. CSD snubbed his lifetime of advocacy in favor of one of the "insiders". Don't try to sugar coat it.

In the last four years we have passed the most comprehensive LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance in the state of Ohio, passed a ban on conversion therapy, ensured trans-inclusive health benefits, and much more. John Litten has been a total ally for us in the LGBTQ community as a councilperson.

Litten's votes are not a "Profile in Courage". The 2016 Anti-Discrimination Law, for example, was unanimously passed (correctly so).
Any council member who voted against the law would have immediately been questioned by the media and condemned by voters. (and rightly so). It was a no-brainer.
The Days of Ryan Demro are long since passed (that's why he moved out years ago).
I'm sure Litten actually believed in the legislation (what reasonable person wouldn't?), but let's not make him out to be a hero.

Jeff was working for civil rights long before it was mainstream in the Democratic party....back when there was open backlash and consequences. That's the type of action that I consider heroic.

[Dan Alaimo]

How many voting ( for endorsements) do the Stonewall Democrats have?

[Dan OMalley]

This is nothing against Jeff Wise of course

Yes, Dan, it is against Jeff Wise. CSD snubbed his lifetime of advocacy in favor of one of the "insiders". Don't try to sugar coat it.

Just for the record I was referring to my comments, which were simply in defense of John’s excellent record on LGBTQ equality.

[Bridget Conant]

Jeff Wise has long worked for LGBTQ rights.

Jeff Wise is a progressive Democrat.

Jeff Wise should have received the endorsement of the CSD.

Dan, you seem to be implying that whoever lobbies hard enough gets the endorsement. Certainly Litten has the money behind him.