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Posts tagged ‘Nebraska’

The 2012 Elections Are Going To Heat Up!


OMAHA, NE – With the 2012 elections beginning to heat up, its important for members of the LGBT Community and Democrats to be out volunteering and doing what they can for the candidates who will do the most for them. This election cycle, with Barack Obama, Bob Kerrey and John Ewing on Nebraska 2nd Congressional District ticket, we have, arguably, the most progressive ticket we have ever had and will most likely see in a while.

Barack Obama, who has supported LGBT issues from the onset, has helped pass LGBT inclusive hate crimes legislation, repealed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and now openly supports Marriage Equality is at the top of the election ticket again. Obama has also helped pass other legislation that will benefit the LGBT Community, especially the Affordable HealthCare Act.  If you, as a member of the LGBT Community want to keep the rights we have won, the healthcare we deserve and have the best chance of more legislation to come, we need Obama in the White House for another 4 years. Don’t expect Romney to support LGBT issues, he will to try repeal everything we have accomplished in the last 3 years. Romney is too busy hiding his tax returns to care about LGBT people.

Bob Kerrey, candidate for US Senate, is also a supporter of LGBT issues and has made statements publicly in the past.  Most recently, he aligned himself with Obama on the issue of Marriage Equality.  Bob Kerrey has also been vocal about the need to reach across the aisle. We need someone like Bob Kerrey if we are going to convince any more Republicans to come to our side of the fence on our important LGBT issues.  Deb Fischer is too busy signing too many pledges to care about reaching across the aisle, and she is to worried about her entitlements to welfare ranching to care about LGBT issues. I’ve always thought there was something fishy about that Deb Fisher!

John Ewing, candidate for US House of Representatives, is another big supporter of LGBT issues. If you are not sure of his stance, I would definitely suggest you try and speak to him at his office if you can catch him there.  Otherwise, I can tell you, I have a spoke to him, and he is a supporter. In fact, I am very confident that we as a community can get him to sponsor at least a bill or two (especially bullying)  if elected to Congress, but first, we have to get him there. John Ewing attended Heartland Pride on that very hot Saturday and distributed flyers showing LGBT issues he supports. John Ewing also supports HealthCare reform, and received a very special endorsement from the Obama, “Have His Back“. This means whatever legislation Obama supports going through Congress, John Ewing will support it so we can finally get rid of this do nothing Congress and get things done in DC!!    Lee Terry is too busy nodding his head to big oil, telemarketers, and other big corporations to worry about Omaha’s little LGBT community.

John Ewing's Flyer at Heartland Pride

John Ewing supports LGBT issues.

What I’ve just shown you are reasons to register and vote, but just as important is helping out these campaigns by volunteering when you have time, canvassing when you can, phone banking when you can.  Help our supportive candidates get to a place they will need to be to do our community the most good!

The Obama For America (OFA) campaign has to very good offices, one in Council Bluffs at 1851 Madison Ave . The Council Bluffs OFA office is open M-F 9am-10pm, Sat 9am-7pm and Sun throughout the course of the day.                                                                                                                                                   The Omaha OFA office is by 343 N 76th st, that is near 76th and Cass, behind the KwikShop. That office is open M-F 10am-8pm and Sat 1pm-8pm.

The Bob Kerrey office is located by 145th and F. The office is open from 10am-8pm M-F. The John Ewing office is right next door to the Omaha Obama for America office and is manned from about 10am-8pm M-F.

The Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats is a group organizing to help LGBT candidates in the our area win their elections.  If you have questions or would like be involved please contact the group’s Facilitator Ken Riter at 4O2-686-6389, please leave a message.

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Announcements, Elections, Statements

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LGBT Democrats Go For Gwen Howard.


Gwen Howard

Gwen Howard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

OMAHA, NE – On April 22nd the Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats had their most productive meeting so far.  The group of people in attendance discussed many things to move the group forward, including attending the Douglas County Democratic Convention to formalize the LGBT Caucus at the County level, including writing bylaws to establish the group in the County party and most importantly to put a priority on getting Gwen Howard to the November election. It was decided to organize events around Gwen Howard’s campaign and two events that came out of the discussion is a table for Gwen at the bar scene and marching with Gwen’s campaign in the Cinco de Mayo parade.

The first event is the Cinco de Mayo parade, Saturday May 5th.  Instead of marching as a separate group, the LGBT Democrats will march with the Howard campaign. It will be a great time to meet Gwen as well as members and volunteers of her campaign.  The Cinco de Mayo parade starts at 10am, but the lineup will begin at 9:30am near Highland Park, 25th and D.  Also, Gwen Howard WILL BE at the parade event!

The other event, LGBT Democrats for Gwen Howard, is at The Max, 1417 Jackson St on Friday, May 11th from 7pm to 10pm. It is a very important event because it is the Friday before the May 15th Primary and is a great chance to find out more about Gwen’s positions on issues that concern our LGBT Community.

On Gwen Howard’s campaign website is important information on her stance on various issues affecting the US, including the LGBT Community. Gwen points out that “she has introduced more successful legislation in 7 years than Congressman Lee Terry has in 7 terms“. We need a capable person who supports LGBT issues so we can finally get legislation passed like ENDA and the repeal of DOMA.  With at least 7 people running for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd District, Gwen Howard is the only candidate who even acknowledges the issues of LGBT Nebraskans. On her campaign site she says. “We should respect the rights of all Nebraskans, including members of the GLBT community.  These Nebraskans should be treated as equal members of our society and allowed to contribute and participate fully in our economy and community. Gwen Howard will vote to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repeal DOMA.”

Not only does Gwen Howard support direct LGBT issues, she also supports legislation that affects women, working families, students, and housing for example. These aren’t primarily LGBT issues, but they definitely affect those in the community.

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The Time for Greater Omaha LGBT Political Organizing is Long Overdue.


OMAHA, NE – The time for Greater Omaha LGBT Political Organizing is long overdue.  So what do we do?  Sit on our thumbs and hope for the best?  NOPE!  We are going to get together as one group, one voice and make our issues known. Our issues as members of the LGBT Community have been ignored for far too long.  We, as a people, can do something about that.  For example, have you ever looked at the make up of the current leadership of the Douglas County Democrats?  Well, have a look right here on the Douglas County Democrats Leadership page.  Notice how men, women and even those of racial minority backgrounds are represented?  There are even positions specifically labeled Minority Representatives.  Also, the bylaws dictate that if one Minority rep is male, the other must be female.  If the Chairman is male, the Vice-Chair must be female. This is how they ensure both men and women are represented in the party.  Here is the link to the Douglas County Democrats Bylaws to find out more. I am confident that if we, as Greater Omaha area’s LGBT Community, put our heads together, we can create some space for ourselves.  A space that will allow us the power to ensure that Democratic Candidates in our Greater Omaha area will be people who are considerate supporters of our precious and delicate LGBT issues.  But that can only happen if we participate in the political party that has long stood up for our issues on the National stage.  Its up to us to make sure the Democratic Party in the Omaha area is up to that task right here.  Its takes participation to create those seats to fill, it takes participation to be heard politically.

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Statements

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Welcome to the new Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats Blog.


OMAHA, NE – Welcome to the new Greater Omaha LGBT Democrats Blog!  Its the dawn of a BLUE day in Omaha’s LGBT Community.  Its time for Omaha’s LGBT Democrats and their ever important Straight Allies to rally for political action for civil rights protections, marriage equality, economic justice and fairness for all!  In this election year in 2012, we see many of the same hurdles rising up to block our fight for progress.  As Ben Gray is about to reintroduce civil rights protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, anti LGBT and big government forces rise up to block such legislation in the Nebraska Unicameral with LB912.  If we can unite as one political force, we can push back the tide against us, but it takes participation in our democracy.  It means taking the time to email, call, mail, whatever you can do to let our politicians know that we are here, we are strong and we want our voices heard.  We need to support the politicians who openly support our community, that is how we will help get into a position to further equality legislation and directives.   More to come…….

Rainbow flag. Symbol of gay pride.

Image via Wikipedia

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