New Jersey Stonewall Democrats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Friday, May 08, 2009

  Contact: Babs Siperstein
 (732) 887 8189, mobile 
babsc@aol.com 

Edison, NJ - Yesterday, the NJ Stonewall Democrats released the following statement in response to the signing of marriage legislation in Maine:

"NJ Stonewall Democrats (NJSD) commends Democratic Governor John Baldacci for signing legislation into law that offers the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. Local supporters and Democratic leaders built the momentum necessary to pass this bill and we are proud of them. This legislation will provide legal security for families in Maine and put them on an equal footing economically with other Mainers.  NJSD believes that the time is now for New Hampshire Democratic Governor John Lynch to follow the example of his neighboring state and sign the final version of marriage legislation when it reaches his desk. NJ Stonewall Democrats supports all the work local advocates in Maine and New Hampshire contributed to support the freedom to marry in the platforms of the Democratic Parties of both of those states. Democratic support was a critical part of the broad coalition of advocates who are moving marriage equality forward in Maine and New Hampshire and soon in New Jersey."  - Babs Casbar Siperstein, President, NJ Stonewall Democrats.

“Democrats in the Garden State need to look to our New England and Midwestern neighbors, who have set an example of equality for all. NJ STONEWALL applauds Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Iowa and New Hampshire. Now is the time for New Jersey leaders to act. Progressive citizens must encourage our legislators to be as fair-minded, brave and bold as their visionary counterparts. It is time to end the inequality of civil unions and replace them with marriage for same sex couples in the Garden State” - Ed Zipprich, Red Bank Councilman and Vice President of Development, NJ Stonewall Democrats.

 Earlier this week, Democratic Governor John Baldacci signed LD 1020, "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom." That Act had been sent to his desk after it received passage from the Democratically controlled Maine Senate and then the Democratically controlled Maine House of Representatives.  “In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”  Last month in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Senate voted to approve legislation allowing same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Similar legislation had already been approved by the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Once finalized, the bill will go to the desk of Democratic Governor John Lynch who has not yet indicated how he will act on the bill.  NJ Stonewall Democrats together with National Stonewall continues to build support for freedom and other pro-equality issues. In Wyoming, the national Stonewall organization worked with the newly-formed Wyoming Stonewall Democrats this year to help Democrats stop an anti-marriage ballot initiative introduced in the Wyoming legislature. In Massachusetts, the Bay State Stonewall Democrats played a key role in building Democratic support for marriage legislation enacted in 2004. Last month, two Stonewall Democrats - Kate and Trish Varnum - won a landmark decision by the Iowa Supreme Court (Varnum V. Brien) that recognized the rights of all Iowans to Marry. Stonewall Democrats is continuing its work in Iowa by aiding statewide advocates like One Iowa to build support for the Democratic Leadership of the Iowa House and Senate who continue to stand against an onslaught of special-interest attacks from the far right. And last month in Vermont, Stonewall Democrats initiated a campaign that contributed to three Democratic lawmakers switching their previously anti-marriage votes in order to override a gubernatorial veto and enact marriage legislation in that state.  With more than 120 local chapters the Stonewall Democrats is the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied Democrats. Stonewall Democrats works to elect pro-equality Democrats to public office and improve the Democratic Party on issues important to pro-equality Americans.  

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New Jersey Stonewall Democrats – 2008 Recap

New Jersey Stonewall Democrats were busy in 2008. It was a high-energy election year focused on the Presidential race, and Stonewall Democrats were engaged in many ways working in local campaigns and running for office, among a host of activities.

2008 began with Executive Vice President Randy Bishop being sworn in as the Mayor ofNeptune Township. Rounding out a successful political year for NJSD members, on November 4 Vice President for Development, Ed Zipprich, was elected to his first term on the Red Bank Borough Council.

Several Stonewall members filed to run as delegates for presidential candidates to the Democratic National Convention, which was held in late August in Denver, Colorado. As delegate candidates, their fate was determined on February 5, the day of the Presidential primary in New Jersey.

About 35 members and prospective members attended Countdown to a New America on January 20, 2008 at The Den in Somerset. A candidate caucus was held, at which participants caucused with a group supporting their presidential candidate of choice. The outcome was evenly divided between supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, and former Senator John Edwards.

2008 was the year for election of officers at the NJSD Annual Meeting, held on February 29. NJ Senator Joe Vitale and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein attended and expressed their appreciation for the involvement of Stonewall Democrats in various political affairs in the state. Entertainment was provided by Solidarity Singers. Elected for two-year terms were: President Barbra Siperstein; Executive Vice President, Randy Bishop; VP for Development, Ed Zipprich; VP Political and Legislative Affairs, Ann Baker; Treasurer, Bob Koska; and Secretary, Steve Alterman.

New Jersey Stonewall Democrats were very active and visible at the June 1 Pride Festival in Asbury Park. President Babs Siperstein introduced Josh Lautenberg, speaking for his father, U. S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, during the program, and the membership committee staffed a table to distribute material about New Jersey Stonewall Democrats, and the New Jersey Democratic Committee.

NJSD members were joined by the Executive Director of National Stonewall Democrats, Jon Hoadley, at the annual strategic planning retreat on July 27. Jon’s participation was extremely helpful as we developed plans for 2009.

Our annual Summer Bash was held on July 29 at Racioppi’s in Red Bank, attended by more than 40 people.

NJSD was well-represented by several members at the National Stonewall Democrats Convention, held in Denver immediately before the Democratic National Convention. Our NJSD delegates to the Democratic convention that nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden were Babs Siperstein, Randy Bishop, and Steve Alterman. All had been elected as Clinton delegates back on February 5.

Mayor Randy Bishop of Neptune made the motion at an early New Jersey delegation meeting that New Jersey cast all 127 delegate votes for Barack Obama. His motion passed by acclamation.

At a meeting of the LGBT Caucus at the DNC, Babs Siperstein presented an award to the Caucus chair, Rick Stafford, for his leadership at the Democratic National Committee on behalf of the inclusion of the Transgender community in the Committee’s LGBT advocacy within the party.

As with most organizations, NJSD sprinkles parties throughout the year so that we have opportunities to socialize. The presidential campaign offered such opportunities, and we held Debate Parties on October 2 for the Vice-Presidential Debate, and October 7th and 15^th for the Presidential Debates. They were held at the Sun Tavern in Fanwood, and each party saw a growing number of excited Democrats show up. These events were attended by Assemblywoman Linda Stender, running for Congress, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green, and Plainfield Mayor Sharon Briggs-Robinson.

On October 11, President Babs Siperstein was part of a panel hosted by GAAMC, the Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County, in preparation for the election

Finally the Big Day arrived – Election Day, 2008. As a state organization, we did not make any endorsements in the federal campaigns for President and Congress. But many of us had spent hours volunteering in various campaign offices, and the election night events for President-elect Obama, Senator Lautenberg, and several congressional candidates were a reward for our individual efforts.

2009 will be an important year for New Jersey Stonewall Democrats. The state will be electing a Governor and 80 members of the NJ State Assembly. NJSD will be examining records and interviewing candidates leading up to the Primary on June 2, then throwing our energy into electing a Democratic governor and members of the Assembly. We encourage your involvement with us. Please use the link to become a member and get involved with New Jersey Stonewall Democrats.

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