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(Thursday, September 14, 2006)
Washington, DC - Today, the Black Caucus of the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement regarding the life of Tyrone Garner:

"This week the GLBT community lost one of it's most courageous heroes. Tyrone Garner was not your traditional activist, he did not march in rallies or raise funds for political candidates. However, in his own silent existence he was one of the titans of our movement.

Tyrone Garner like countless numbers of GLBT Americans longed to live a quiet life of serenity and comfort with his life partner John Geddes Lawrence. However, when the thunderous roar of oppression and discrimination was thrust upon him, he did not cower in retreat, instead he stood to face it with conviction and honor. Because of his efforts, the Supreme Court ruled that homophobic sodomy laws could no longer be used to marginalize and oppress GLBT Americans." - Jasmyne Cannick and Ramon Gardenhire, Co-Chairs, Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus

Opt Ed By Jo Wyrick, Executive Director
National Stonewall Democrats

Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once stated, “the best disinfectant is sunshine.” Our ongoing discussion as a collective LGBT movement regarding our accomplishments, challenges, and failures, in particular as LGBT Democrats, can be compared to that sunshine. Exposure to sunshine sometimes stings, but it remains beneficial to our growth.

The Democratic National Committee recently met in Chicago to approve delegate selection rules for the 2008 Democratic Convention. National Stonewall Democrats was there to ensure that the committee passed an amendment to the rules which requires state parties to take remedial action to correct the under-representation of LGBT Americans at previous conventions. It was adopted with unanimous consent.

With the results of Tuesday's Primary election, New Yorkers are given a truly historic state ticket with Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo both supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples. This is the most supportive state ticket seen in several years. Mix with that US Senator and presumptive 2008 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the top of the ticket is smashing. This mix is sure to bring about alot of energy this Fall for the Democrats as the Democrats fight to regain he Governor's mansion and to take over the State Senate.  The top of the Democratic ticket in New York is:

US Senate: Hillary Clinton
Governor: Eliot Spitzer
Lt. Governor: David Paterson
NYS Comptroller: Alan Hevesi
NYS Attorney General: Andrew Cuomo

May the Fall election season begin!!