David Mariner: Howard Dean Lied About Firing DNC Gay Director

This is a post from AmericaBlog. Normally I don't repaste them, but this is really important information and I thought it was important to put the whole thing here for discussion and consideration:

Hi there,

I read through most of the above comments and skimmed through others. I'd like to clarify things.

A number of people have criticized Howard Dean's decision to eliminate the GLBT Outreach Director position at the DNC, myself included. I don't think any of those folks ever suggested this was about Donald Hitchcock, but rather this has always been about the staffing levels at the DNC.

Howard Dean's Predecessor, Terry McAullife, had Two LGBT Outreach Staff, and Two LGBT Fundraising Staff. Howard Dean has increased the number of LGBT Fundraising Staff (Brian Bond, Corey Johnson, and Tom Petrillo - although Brian and Corey's exact titles have not yet been announced) and eliminated the LGBT Outreach Staff.

Donald's title at the DNC is still written as plain as day on the DNC website. He was hired to be the Director of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council - the LGBT Fundraising Team. (https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute/gllc)

Now the DNC was trying to make the argument that Donald was also hired to be the LGBT Outreach Staff, but his job description and org chart at the DNC help clarify that little piece of misinformation.

I criticized the elimination of these LGBT Outreach staff positions, but I went out of my way to clarify that I was in no way criticizing Donald, who I greatly respect. None of us expected Donald to take on the full responsibilities of these two staff positions in addition to his role as Director of the Leadership Council. It would be ridiculous to expect one person to do jobs previously assigned to three people.

This was ALWAYS a question of staffing. Why were the two LGBT Outreach positions eliminated, while an LGBT fundraising position was added?

Sadly, the DNC is not nearly as prepared as they should be to Get Out the LGBT Vote in 06. This is not about asking the DNC to fight our battles for us. This is about them coming to their senses and realizing that LGBT voters are vital to their success in 06. This is about them figuring out that if they stick their heads in the sand and ignore the marriage debate it's going to come back to haunt them at the polls.

LGBT folks can contribute more than money, we can deliver votes. But there has to be a plan and a commitment on the part of the DNC to help make that happen.

For those who want more info, Out for Democracy blog posts on the DNC staffing issue are archived at:

http://www.outfordemocracy.org/dnc.htm

Also, our report 'More Bang for the Buck: LGBT Voters & The DNC' documents why specifically the DNC needs full time LGBT Outreach Staff:

http://www.outfordemocracy.org/d...ocs/ dncmemo.pdf

For the record, I and the other folks I'm aware of who brought this issue up directly with the DNC made it perfectly clear that this was NOT an issue with Donald, but rather with the elimination of LGBT Outreach staff positions. I went out of my way to make the point that I greatly respect Donald and his work in support of our community both professionally and as a committed volunteer.

Finally ... I think we MUST get away from this all-or-nothing mentality where we are so desperate to get Democrats elected into office that no dissent whatsoever is allowed.

Let me be clear, walking away from Howard Dean's DNC does NOT mean walking away from the Democrats or the 2006 election.

You can still give your time and money to Democratic Candidates you believe in directly. You can still support the Stonewall Democrats to make sure Rick Santorum and Marilyn Musgrave don't return to Congress.

There are a million ways we can support Democrats without supporting Howard Dean's DNC. And sadly, I believe at least for the time being, that is what we need to do.

Let's focuses on strengthening and supporting other Democratic organizations until the DNC can find their way back.
David Mariner | Homepage | 05.03.06 - 9:38 pm | #

Though I doubt the DSCC or the DCCC old guard will ever show as much enthusiasm for human rights as Dean.

You'll notice my post from today is sinking fast.

People wonder about the blind faith some have in Bush? Whats that old expression "people that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

nothing here saying that. a lie is a deliberate statement made with the intent to deceive.

musta missed it.

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And it was Dean who ordered the DNC statement to be issued.