Equality Press

Inclusive Legislation Provides Protections for Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Matthew Shepard Act:

“We applaud the United States Senate for approving the Matthew Shepard Act. This inclusive piece of legislation correctly addresses sexual orientation, gender identity and disability within federal law. By passing this bill with comprehensive language, this legislation will provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to fully prosecute bias motivated crimes. We urge President Bush to stand with the American people, who have demonstrated their strong support for this legislation, and ultimately sign this bill into law once it reaches his desk.”

- Jon Hoadley, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats

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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Find out more at www.stonewalldemocrats.org.

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A bad speaker but good message…

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC - Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats released the following statement in praise of Stonewall Democrat Mark Ferrandino, who was elected on Wednesday night to the Colorado House of Representatives:

“We are thrilled that Mark Ferrandino was elected to serve the people of Colorado. As a local chapter leader and national board member, Mark embodies the work of Stonewall Democrats to create national change through our efforts on the state and local levels. He understands that Democrats can win by clearly conveying our values, and we know he will do just that as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.”

- Laurie McBride, Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats Board of Directors.

Mark Ferrandino was elected as the new Colorado House Representative for District 2 (Denver) last night by the Vacancy Committee for House District 2. The vote by the Vacancy Committee was 23-3 in favor of Ferrandino. Doug Williams, the other candidate considered, also happened to be gay. Ferrandino will serve until January of 2009. He is able to run for election to a full term in November 2008. Ferrandino joins the Colorado House of Representatives as the only openly-gay member. Democrat Jenniefer Viega, who is openly-gay, is a member of the State Senate.

Mark Ferrandino is the former Co-Chair of the Colorado Stonewall Democrats. He currently serves as a Board Member of the National Stonewall Democrats Board of Directors. Newly announced NSD Executive Director Jon Hoadley is in Colorado today to meet with members of the Colorado Stonewall Democrats as well as Representative Ferrandino.

Ferrandino replaces former Representative Mike Cerbo, a Democrat, who resigned on September 10, 2007 in order to take a position with the Colorado AFL-CIO. Under Colorado law, vacancies to the state House of Representatives are filled by a District Vacancy Committee of the party which previously controlled the seat.

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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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