Group will honor founders, including Michael Milliken, Al Daniels of Dallas
From Staff Reports
Michael Milliken, left, and Al Daniels
The Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus marks its 10th anniversary as the officially recognized LGBT caucus of the Texas Democratic Party at the 2010 Texas Democratic Convention, which is expected to attract 8,000 delegates, alternates and visitors, including hundreds of LGBT delegates, to Corpus Christi June 24-26.
The anniversary events begin Thursday eve-ning, June 24, with a reception at Desiree’s By The Bay Restaurant at the Art Center, 100 Shoreline Blvd. The reception will feature a full buffet, cash bar, anniversary cake and presentation of the Founder’s Awards.
Co-founders Michael Milliken and Al Daniels of Dallas, who served as TSDC’s first president and treasurer respectively, first vice president Nancy Russell of San Antonio and first secretary Jonathan Westerman of Houston will be honored, as will Ron Ennis, who got TSDC chartered with National Stonewall Democrats, and Molly Beth Malcolm, a straight ally who was chair of the Texas Democratic Party at the time.
On Friday, June 25, the TSDC will hold its Biennial Caucus Membership Meeting at the American Bank Center before the business of the State Democratic Party begins. More than 350 delegates and visitors from around the state are expected to attend.
Current President Dan Graney of San Antonio and current Vice President Erin Moore of Dallas are seeking re-election. A new secretary and treasurer will be elected. Candidates and elected officials will be invited to address the group.
Milliken, Daniels and Ennis teamed up with other LGBT Democrats in Texas to found TSDC in January 2000 as the successor organization of the Lesbian/Gay Democrats of Texas. At the Texas Democratic Convention in Fort Worth in June of that year, Milliken successfully petitioned the convention delegates to approve adding TSDC as an “add-on” organization of the State Democratic Executive Committee, thus giving TSDC two LGBT seats on the SDEC, the governing board of the state party between conventions.
Since then, both the president and vice president of the TSDC have served as voting members at SDEC meetings.
At the time of TSDC’s founding, there were only three Stonewall Democrats chapters in Texas. There are now 10.
For more information, go online to TexasStonewallDemocrats.org.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 18, 2010.