Category Archives: LGBT

YDA Executive Director endorses marriage equality in DNC platform

Posted by rsnyder on February 22, 2012 Comments Off

Today, Young Democrats of America’s Executive Director Emily Tisch Sussman joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and more than 13,000 voters around the nation in endorsing language proposed by Freedom to Marry as part of its Democrats: Say I Do campaign calling on the national party to include a freedom to marry plank in the national Democratic party’s 2012 platform.

“As the Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, I represent young people, and the way we connect young people back to Democratic politics is by speaking out for what is right and taking action,” Sussman said. “Polling shows that 70 percent of voters 18-34 support the freedom to marry, and for many of our members, it’s a cause that goes to the core of why they consider themselves Democrats. It is time to realize that marriage is no longer an effective wedge issue; it is a cause that we as Democrats should be leading on.”

The proposed plank language is as follows:

The Democratic Party supports the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.

“As a constitutional lawyer with a background in LGBT family law and someone who worked on ending military discrimination under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I am proud to have signed onto Freedom to Marry’s petition and urge my fellow Democrats to do the same,” Sussman continued. “It’s time for our Party to make it official, and say ‘I Do’.”

Public opinion data from 2011 shows that 69 percent of Democrats support the freedom to marry, as well as 59 percent of Independents (Gallup, May 5-8). A National Journal Political Insiders Poll conducted in July 2011 showed that 84 percent of Democratic party professionals believe their party should embrace marriage. Multiple states have already included planks in support of marriage in their state platforms.


Statement from the YDA LGBTQ Caucus on the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Posted by rsnyder on September 20, 2011 Comments Off

My Fellow Young Democrats,
Today marks a bright moment in American History as we remove a discriminatory law from the US Statutes. Many of you have fought for this change for many years and because of your tireless efforts, the dream has become a reality. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is officially repealed as of 12:01AM this morning (Tuesday Sept 20, 2011).

This legislative change doesn’t come without its somber moments. Many soldiers have had to hide who they are or face dishonorable discharge from our military because of whom they love. That all ends TODAY!

No longer will men and women who want to protect our nation have to feel ashamed of who they are. Gay & Lesbian service members will be able to serve openly and with the dignity and respect they deserve. To all those men and women whom have served in silence, I thank you for your sacrifice. To the over 13,000 men and women who served and were discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation, I thank you and sincerely apologize for any negative impacts that you’ve had because of the discharge.

Today and into this evening, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Parties are going to be held across the nation. Young Democrats of America has partnered with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) to host these parties. If you’d like to get more information on where you can attend one in your local area, please visit the website for SLDN http://www.sldn.org/RepealDay.

Thank you again for your tireless efforts in getting Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repealed. Our job for equality is not done, but we are one step closer!

Sincerely,
Kristian Cosme
Chair
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Caucus
Young Democrats of America
http://www.yda.org/lgbtq

YDA Caucus Chairs Voice Support for NY Marriage Equality

Posted by rsnyder on June 27, 2011 Comments Off

Additional reactions to Friday’s historic marriage equality victory in New York:

“The LGBT Caucus of the Young Democrats of America congratulates our friends in the Empire State for winning the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.  Our thanks go out to all the coalition partners involved in this important victory.  In particular, our thanks to the state and local Young Democrats chapters in New York and their members who stood shoulder to shoulder with their friends in the LGBT movement — and other progressive constituencies — to secure the passage of marriage equality legislation in the State House, controlled by Democrats, and the votes of 29 Democrats and 4 Republicans in the State Senate.  Our gratitude goes out to Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo for leading the charge and not resting until gay and lesbian New Yorkers have the freedom to marry.”

- Kyle Bailey, YDA LGBT Caucus Chair

“The labor movement fought for equality, civil rights, and social justice. Today was a banner day for all of those core principles. In my home state of New York, both houses of state government have voted in affirmation of the Marriage Equality Act of 2011.  This bill, which was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, gives same sex couples the fundamental right to join in matrimony and enjoy all the legal protections that come with their union. While soon-to-be the 6th state to have enacted this law, New York now becomes the largest state to have done so and the only one with a branch of state legislature controlled by Republicans.  I stand together with my LGBT brothers and sisters in the happiness that New York has Marriage Equality and hope more states and indeed the nation will follow suit.”

- Michael Corbett, YDA Labor Caucus Chair

New York State Young Democrats Celebrate Marriage Equality

Posted by rsnyder on June 25, 2011 Comments Off

Last night, the New York State Young Democrats celebrated the historic vote on marriage equality.  NYSYD President Kevin Lawrie released the following statement on the important role that Young Democrats played in ensuring a favorable outcome for the legislation:

Tonight, we have helped make history. New York will soon become the 6th State in the US to legalize same-sex marriages after the bill passed the State Senate during an extended session in Albany. With your hard work, we have again achieved real results. From campaigning to flip 2 no votes into yes votes in November until the recent push to call your State Senator and either confirm or convince them to get on the right side of history, this would not have happened without any of your dedication and diligence.

Click here to read the full statement from the New York State Young Dems.