Newest chapter of national LGBT political network meets in Lewisville; 21 North Texas Democrats turn out for gathering
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| The first meeting of Stonewall Democrats of Denton attracted 21 people. The LGBT political group is the fifth member of the national association to form in North Texas. Jesse Garcia, president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, told the gathering that national leaders are excited about the growth of gay political chapters in Texas. |
Twenty-one people gathered in Lewisville on Aug. 12 for the first meeting of Stonewall Democrats of Denton County, Texas’ newest chapter of the national LGBT Democratic organization.
About half that number were gay Democrats from around North Texas who attended to show support for the new chapter.
Organizer and former Dallas City Council candidate John McClelland said he expects the new group to raise the visibility of LGBT people in Denton. The city has a large LGBT population, but it is largely closeted, and many view the city as inhospitable to openly gay people.
Denton had one gay bar for years, but it burned in March. Fire investigators ruled the fire an arson.
“Stonewall will be an outlet to provide visibility among the GLBT community in Denton County. I think it is important for the gay community to be part of the Democratic Party in Denton County and to come out of our closets whether you live in Dallas, Lewisville, Denton or any small town in the county.
“Together with the other local clubs, we will help to elect Democrats in Denton County for the first time in many years,” he added.
Jesse Garcia, president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas and a national Stonewall board member, attended.
Garcia told the gathering the national organization is “very excited that a fifth chapter is being formed in North Texas.”
“The NSD board of directors is amazed with the great things happening in Texas,” Garcia said.
“The Dallas chapter is very impressed with the passion of the Denton LGBT community that is ready to take its activism to the next level, and our fellow chapters Tarrant and Collin, along with Dallas, are committed to financially and emotionally support the growth of this new organization.”
Also attending the Stonewall Denton meeting were Texas Stonewall treasurer Al Daniels, Stonewall of Tarrant County President Sarah Garrett, Stonewall of Collin County President Judith Kaufman, Stonewall Young Democrats of Dallas President Russell Boaz, along with other officers of the Tarrant and Collin groups.
For more information on Stonewall Democrats of Denton County, call John McClelland at 972-890-3834 or e-mail him at johntarheel76@gmail.com. The steering committee will be meeting on Sunday Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Landmark Grill in Lewisville.
This article appeared in the August 17 edition of the Dallas Voice.