Michigan Democratic Party’s LGBTA Caucus 
The April 10 Tea Party Express rally in Lansing. Governor Granholm’s stated willingness to consider a non-enumerated anti-bullying bill. Lack of a state-wide employment non-discrimination law. There is a lot of work to be done in Michigan. Participation of LGBT persons and allies in the Michigan Democratic Party Early Endorsement Convention April 17 at Cobo Hall in Detroit is critical if we are going to elect supportive candidates this fall. Recognizing their courageous stands on issues of social justice and equal treatment, the Michigan Democratic Party’s LGBT & Allies Caucus has endorsed candidates Jocelyn Benson (Secretary of State) and Richard Bernstein (Attorney General). Both face tough floor fights if they are to win the party’s endorsement in the August primary. The Caucus asks all Democratic party members who are LGBTQI or allies to meet with the Caucus at 8:00 a.m. in room W2-64 to discuss floor vote strategies. Participation is open to anyone who was a registered member of the party by Friday, March 19.
This is the first time that LGBT people will have had strong, organized input into candidates’ campaigns in Michigan. The Caucus has been working with both Benson and Bernstein to support their pro-LGBT policies and their convention floor strategies. Both need the presence of every qualified Democrat at Saturday’s convention.
For the first time Michigan can elect a Secretary of State and Attorney General willing to work with the Caucus and the LGBT community. Benson agreed a year ago to include the need for a transgender supportive driver’s license policy that had been put forward by the Caucus. When attacked for this position, she stood by it and the LGBT community. We believe Jocelyn is a strong candidate who will work to ensure that the rights of each and every citizen are fully protected, regardless of sexual identification or orientation.
Bernstein “has a record of doing the right thing and continues to prove himself a fighter for social justice and what’s fair for all residents. His commitment to civil rights has earned our admiration and respect,” explains Phil Volk, Caucus Chair. Currently a Southeast Michigan lawyer, Bernstein, who is blind, says he has specialized in cases for clients who have the odds stacked against them. Bernstein said he would continue that effort if he becomes Michigan's next attorney general. His priorities if elected would include cracking down on Internet child pornography, health insurance companies that deny coverage, abuse in nursing homes and utilities that overcharge.
Marilyn Vogler

Kalamazoo Ord 1856 passes 65% yes 35% no

By Adam Taylor

Join the Caucus as we raise and glass--and money!--for our continued work for equality for LGBT Michigan residents. 

Join us for lunch on Saturday, November 14, 11:30 am to 1:20 pm at the Ann Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor.

It's not just a fundraiser--it's a fun raiser!

October 9-12, 2009. Over 100 Michiganders from Sault Ste. Marie to Kalamazoo joined together with the Michigan Democratic Party’s LGBT & Allies Caucus for a ten hour bus ride to make the journey to fight for LGBTQ Rights in the Nation’s Capital at the 2009 National Equality March. Many of those on the trip were students from around the state participating in a national event for the first time. Representatives from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Lansing Community College, Lake Superior State, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College as well as members of PFLAG came together to experience a trip of a lifetime!

            After the long bus ride we finally arrived at our destination and everyone was able to have a free day to explore the sights and sounds of D.C. Many took time to visit the many national museums and memorials, while others participated in one LGBTQ focused events throughout the day. Adam Taylor of Kalamazoo and Will Calhoun of Mount Pleasant watched on as the LGBTQ community honored the service of the U.S. military (especially those who cannot be open about being LGBT under the U.S. policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”) by having a wreath placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers’ at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Cody Hebden of Lansing and Derrick Chamberlain of Midland/Sault Ste. Marie attended a workshop on Civil Disobedience, which was put on by Soulforce, which is a foundation that promotes “freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance" (www.soulforce.org). As the day turned into night, many Michiganders explored the nightlife of our nation’s capital, especially in the District of Columbia’s gay district known as DuPont Circle.

Sunday October 11, National Coming Out Day, was the big day and the main reason why we traveled over 500 miles to march for our rights as Americans, LGBTQ Americans!  The National Equality March had an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Americans marching for the rights of the LGBTQ community. The March started at McPherson Square with a fired up crowd anxious for equality, then proceeded past the White House and ended at the West Steps of the United States Capital Building where the National Equality Rally. The march itself was so rich in spirit and energy with people from all ages, races, religions, genders and sexual orientations waving rainbow flags, chanting “Gay Rights are Civil Rights” and same-sex couples expressing their love for each other by holding hands.

 After the 2.3 mile March, the National Equality Rally began at the U.S. Capital. Speakers ranged from Politicians such as Utah’s openly homosexual state Senator Scott McCoy to Hollywood star Cynthia Nixon to movement leader Cleve Jones. One of the largest crowd pleasers was bisexual international superstar Lady Gaga, who stated “It isn’t equal when it is sometimes.” Also present were Milk screen writer and Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black fired up the crowd by saying “that we are fighting for full equality, from sea to sea, and not equality in some places and not others, and not equality in some distant future!”

Not everyone however was so excited about the March. Congressman Barney Frank, from Massachusetts said that the National Equality Marchers would only be “putting pressure on the grass" and suggested we keep the battle at home. Well, I believe that this March was not a waste of time. For many of the Michiganders this was not only their first march, but their first involvement in the LGBTQ movement. . Not only was this an emotional release but this March has inspired so many to take the fight back home, and we need equality in Michigan! We need to spread the message to every Michigander, “GAY RIGHTS ARE CIVIL RIGHTS.” We should have the right to marry, adopt, not be fired from are jobs for being LGBTQ and simply live our lives happily without fear of harassment. It is time for Michiganders and all Americans to be treated equal ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST SOME TIMES!

Derrick Chamberlain

MDLC Upper Peninsula Regional Chair

Join the Caucus for a rally for full LGBT equality on Sunday, October 11 from 10 to 11 am at the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, DC.  Then, we'll join the National Equality March!