Welcome To The DCDP LGBTQIA Caucus Website and Blog

Posts tagged ‘lgbt issues’

Creating a Caucus to Protect WorkPlace Equality.


OMAHA, NE – On April 16th, 2013, a group of LGBT Democrats in Omaha met to discuss some issues that need to get done before the May 14th General City Elections. Among the topics discussed were getting LGBT people registered to vote, volunteering for the Suttle Campaign and forming an LGBT Caucus for the Douglas County Democrats to create a solid LGBT voice in the County level party.

Volunteering for the Suttle campaign is an important issue for the General City Elections on May 14th, Mayor Jim Suttle not only signed the Workplace Protections Ordinance into law, but he is also credited with getting a key swing vote to support Workplace Protections on the City Council!!!  The Suttle Campaign has many opportunities available for volunteers; canvassing, phone banking and data entry are the main ones.  You can call the campaign office at 402-933-0500 to find out more information.  The office is open from 10am-8pm Monday -Thursday, 10am-5pm on Friday and 12pm-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.   The Suttle Campaign office is located at 347 N 76th St Omaha, NE 68114, which is near 76th and Cass, behind the KwikShop there.  The Firefighters are also hard at work canvassing for Jim Suttle’s campaign, meet them this Saturday, April 20th at 10am at the FireFighters Union Hall near 60th and Grover.  Here is the FaceBook Page for their event.

Another very important topic discussed is getting voters registered.  There will be voter registration applications available at Rebel Interactive on April 21st from 3pm-6pm. Here is the FaceBook Event Page.  They are located at 1217 South 13th St, just a couple of blocks south of 13th and Pacific.  Another opportunity for voter registration applications is the Milo Bail building at UNO, on April 24th, 11am-1:30pm.  If you cannot make those events there are many other opportunities where you and your loved ones can register to vote.  You can register at any public library and at the DMV until April 26th.  You can register in person at the Douglas County Election Commission until May 3rd.  Remember the election is May14th!!

Another item discussed is forming the LGBT Caucus.  The Douglas County Democrats adopted an amendment in November 2012 that made the county level party more LGBT inclusive, as well as creating the opportunity for minority communities to create county level caucuses. The adopted changes also added a Diversity Representative to the Executive Board, allowing a potential LGBT voice in the County party’s executive body.  We need participants for the actual caucus, we must have at least 10 people agree to be a part of it.  We need people to step and run for the office of chair.  Once we have 10 members and an elected chair, we can go to the Central Committee of the Douglas County Democrats and ask for approval and certification.  We must keep 10 members in the Caucus, the chair must attend all Central Committee meetings. The chair will have a vote in the Central Committee. If the Caucus falls below its membership requirements, and/or the chair doesn’t fulfill their duties the Caucus can become decertified and we would have start over again.

The Mission of the Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats:

1. To sensitize Democratic candidates and officeholders to the political needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
2. To promote the Democrats’ message of economic justice and social progress in the LGBT community.
3. To encourage LGBT community participation in the campaigns of Democratic candidates and at all levels of the Democratic Party.
4. To facilitate the election of Democratic candidates to public office by maximizing the Democratic turnout in the LGBT community.
5. To educate voters concerning fundamental information about LGBT issues, with the purpose of encouraging them to vote for LGBT supportive candidates.

We need volunteers to help out with campaigns of LGBT friendly candidates.  We need LGBT friendly candidates in office to defend the protections we have won, and to vote for and sponsor new legislation! We are looking to bring in a county or state level chapter of the National Stonewall Democrats!!!  Until we formerly organize and elect a chair, Please contact Ken Riter at 402-686-6389 for more information.

Additional items discussed:  Getting the group to attend the Douglas County Election Commission’s Deputy Registrar classes so we can conduct official voter registration drives as well as know everything we need to know about registering to vote in Nebraska.   Organizing an event to galvanize and motivate LGBT voters with a MILK viewing is also an option discussed.  A couple of people said they would discuss the possibility with Aksarben Cinema, FilmStreams and Flixx Lounge about viewing the movie at one of those places. Additional suggestions are welcome, please call Ken at 402-686-6389 for help with any questions or suggestions you have!

Category:

Announcements, Elections, Press Release, Statements

Tagged with:

Second Meeting Minutes from March 25th 2012.


OMAHA, NE – Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats held a second meeting, on Sunday, March 25th at 13th Street Coffeehouse. Just a few of us were there, but we discussed and went over some example bylaws and party platforms that we may use for helping to establish the bylaws and platform for our new political organization. We also discussed the necessity of forming the initial steering committee ASAP,as well as steering committee officers; Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.   What we really need right now are more members so we can fill the positions. So, if you are interested in helping to start a new political organization with the mission of forwarding LGBT issues on a political basis please come to a meeting.  You can contact the group’s Facilitator, Ken Riter at cell phone #4o2-686-6389 or email at omahamaverick(at)yahoo.com with the subject Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats with any questions you may have.  You can also check out the Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats FaceBook Page.

The next meeting is scheduled to be Sunday April 8th at 7pm at 13th Street Coffeehouse. To expand opportunities for members of the community to attend a meeting, additional meetings will be scheduled throughout the week. Additional meetings scheduled so far are Saturday April 7th at 6pm, or Friday, April 13th at 7pm all at 13th Street Coffeehouse.

Category:

Press Release

Tagged with:

First Meeting: 11 March 2012


OMAHA, NE – The Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats held their first meeting Sunday night, March 11th, 2012 at the 13st Coffeehouse.  An informal meeting was conducted, and informal minutes were taken, but I will summarize our discussion.  The meeting had 6 attendees, all males. We are definitely in need of a wider variety of attendees! I’d like to see all letters represented, including lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, as well as straight allies and any questioning types and intersexed individuals, if they are in the area.  Increased racial diversity would also be a plus.  If are going to stand up for LGBT issues, as many people as possible in the LGBT Community should be represented!  We discussed some of the things the group would be involved in, for example: voter registration drives, collectively choosing an LGBT friendly candidate and assisting those candidates with their campaigns. I also believe the group could become a very important source of information for the local LGBT Community for politics as well as educating the community in the democratic process.  The group could also be instrumental in organizing volunteers for our chosen candidates as well as doing work within the local Democratic Party.  I did mention that I would like to see the group grow into a local Stonewall Democrat Chapter, but that is NOT the primary goal.  Right now, we need to grow our numbers and network so each attendee agreed to bring 2 people with them at the next meeting which is scheduled for Sunday March 25th, 2012 at 7pm at 13st Coffeehouse.

Category:

Press Release, Statements

Tagged with:

Take our Poll, When can you meet for action on LGBT issues?


Please take the poll, I’d like to find out what days of the week will workout for anyone interested in getting involved.   Please pick the days that work for you and pick which time of day will also work for you, thanks in advance.

Category:

Poll

Tagged with: