DSYD’s new executive board is made up of Communications Director Michael Maldonado, from left, Community Services Director Michael Tijerina, Membership Director Clint Thomson, Vice President Justin “JT” Williams, Treasurer Jason Wallace, Political Director Stewart Stimson, President Jared Pearce and Secretary Solomon Arreguin (not pictured). (Chance Browning/Dallas Voice)
Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats elected its 2011 officers Tuesday night and passed a resolution condemning Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Ramos for his recent anti-gay remarks, according to a press release from the group.
The new DSYD officers are President Jared Pearce, Vice President J.T. Williams, Secretary Solomon Arreguin, Treasurer Jason Wallace, Political Director Stewart Stimson and Community Services Director Michael Tijerina.
According to the press release, the new DSYD executive board will focus on gathering support for endorsed candidates in the upcoming municipal elections and continuing the Light Up Oak Lawn campaign launched last year, which seeks to reduce crime in Oak Lawn with more street lighting.
“I’m thrilled to take on the role of president for this incredible organization,” Pearce said. “Everyone on the executive board is looking forward to the great things DSYD is going to accomplish in 2011.”
Pearce penned an open letter that he emailed to Ramos with DSYD’s unanimously approved resolution attached. View the resolution here and read Pearce’s letter after the jump.
OPEN LETTER TO:
Dan Ramos, Chair
Bexar County Democratic Party
VIA E-Mail: dramos458@yahoo.com
Dear Mr. Ramos,
Please see attached a resolution unanimously passed by the Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats (DSYD) at our monthly meeting last night calling on your immediate resignation. The bigotry expressed by your recent comments does not deserve to be repeated as they are offensive at all levels to not only LGBT individuals, but also to African Americans and those with disabilities. DSYD is an organization comprised of hundreds of young LGBT individuals, many of whom are still struggling to come to terms with who they are as individuals, and comments such as yours are of such a bigoted nature that often leads to high rates of bullying and suicide of members of our community.
The Democratic Party has consistently stood for equality for all, as was engrained in the very documents that founded this Nation. Your comments reveal personally held beliefs, expressed publicly, that are not only inconsistent with the Party, but also with the views held by an overwhelming majority of Americans AND Texans (see “The Equality Poll”, also attached).
Any response from you to the recent events short of your immediate resignation as Chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party would simply be unacceptable. You have brought great division to the Party and the movement and you have lost your ability to be an effective leader and advocate for the Party ideals. Now is the time to finally do the only just and right thing, and resign.
Sincerely,
Jared A. Pearce, President
Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats
President@DallasSYD.org
Congrats to Clint, JT, Jared and the rest of the new board!! I’m proud to see that our generation is stepping in to fill the shoes of those before us. And to the Voice….of course thanks for your support as well, but the headline….? Just because they’re cute doesn’t mean they’re just a pretty face. I’m totally not an uber-sensitive bleeding heart (liberal, I’ll take), but would a similar headline be considered acceptable for a group of females? I think not. I constantly hear criticism from our gay forefathers about how the younger generation isn’t involved, doesn’t appreciate or understand the struggle that the O.G. Stonewallers faced, and then you turn around and reduce an honorable group to the lowest common denominator. It’s not a beauty competition, or a night out at BJ’s. Give respect where it’s due, please.
*Steps off soap box
If I could like this comment, I would :). I agree with you but a pretty face never hurts as far as reaching the masses. I wish all the guys luck.
The lovefest between Wright and Stonewall is thick. Is this the same group that endorsed a friend over Angela Hunt? The woman who has vast experience and has been a friend to the LGBTQ community for years. Is she not cute enough for you?
How many Vodkas had this group had before they were elected?
*Steps onto soap box.
Lighten up TyHo, you can kindly come down out of your ivory tower now! You’ve gotta appreciate a headline that catches the eye. Otherwise who wants to click on an article about ANY newly elected executive board members? Not me, that’s for sure!! And don’t pretend that everyone in that pic isn’t flattered by the headline. Take ya high horse and clear.
I am very excited about our new leadership! We are already hitting the ground running.
@Anon, The bitter tone of your comments is unfortunate. First, not all of those in attendance at endorsements from DSYD voted for Nowlin. Second, it is also unfortunate that you make a prejudicial judgment that those who did support James did so because he was a “friend”, or “cute”. That shows an unfortunate ignorance as to who are members are, their intellect and dedicated commitment for their community. Simply, that was not the case. Good arguments were made at the endorsement meetings on both sides. Finally, the vodka comment only serves to infuse more ignorance into a situation. Let’s debate, but let’s do it respectfully and without prejudice (the LGBT community should be extra sensitive about this). Afterall, tones like that and with that many unfounded comments only serve to weaken any argument.
The cute comment came from your major supporter John Wright. I have a right to my opinion and viewpoint. Tell me how your group decided that Nowlin was better for our city than Hunt? First DV promotes free drinks for a selction of board members for a political group, then post photos the next day asking which one is cure. As far as the tone of my comment. I did not use the words “ignorance” “prejudicial” “more ignorance” and then add a direction to be speak “respectfully”.
I don’t think people who see a different version of this story to be ignorant.
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas applauds the new leadership of DSYD.
I have had the opportunity to work with the Young Stonewall group at countless events, fundraisers, and conventions. They genuinely care about our community and are always working towards improvements.
It is so exciting to work with young men & women who care so much about their own community as well as of others. Anytime I have called upon their leadership for help with anything, they are always ready to serve. They are to be commended for their constant call to service, and their help in our fight for equality.
Only together do we prosper to achieve our goals. Thank you DSYD.
Omar Narvaez
President
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
They’re all just as cute as can be! But the two Michaels on the left and Jared on the right are the cutest guys out there. I’m an OLD Democrat — wish I could have been around years later as a youngster! Good work for these young men.
Anon, I was a supporter of Hunt as well- she won and the race is long over now. Let’s move on, ok?