Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff and his staff better watch their backs. The National Stonewall Democrats are, like, totally pissed the weekly paper published emails between DNC’s Brian Bond and an anonymous Stonewaller. Those emails, which we also published, accused DNC Chief of Staff Leah Daughtry, as well as other prominent black leaders, of homophobia and a racialized bunker mentality. Read the Wallers’ wails, after the jump.
Dear Editor,
Everyone at National Stonewall Democrats was concerned by the emails from 2006 we saw in the Washington Blade story titled “DNC Lawsuit Reveals Black vs. Gay Rivalry”. The hurtful and personal attacks in these emails do not represent the views of our organizations or the people we work with. We apologize to Rev. Leah Daughtry, Gov. Howard Dean, and others for these emails. We have already taken corrective action throughout the organization to ensure that it is not repeated.
We’re disappointed that the Washington Blade article leaves the impression that we currently do not have a positive relationship with the Democratic National Committee, and does not discuss substantial body of work produced to increase the prominence of LGBT Democrats, and especially LGBT Democrats of color. We appreciate the work of Gov. Dean and Rev. Daughtry, especially Rev. Daughtry’s most recent work to include LGBT people in the convention planning process, her longstanding work on HIV/AIDS policy and funding, Gov. Dean’s historic incorporation of our community, and the other positive collaborations under his tenure.
We look forward to working with the Democratic National Committee, Rev. Daughtry and Gov. Dean, other progressive organizations, and LGBT Democrats across the country to promote our shared investment in true equality.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Sincerely,
Jon Hoadley
Executive Director
National Stonewall Democrats
Stephen Driscoll and Laurie McBride
Co-Chairs
National Stonewall Democrats
M Shane Walsh
The story altogether is convoluted and not really consistent Imay just be confused) First of all, it seems odd that Hitchcock would be fired for letters by his lover criticizing Dean, and further that Leah Daugherty would be charged as the respondant.. The claims about her by coworkers, Dean etc. say nothing defensable about her. Why on earth would anyone with authority & the least brains say that they made a decision” because their church says so”. They then turn around and have her defending speaking in tongues, which seems a little churchy(& strange) to me.I would suspect anyone who started speaking in tongues of anything. It is pretty unprofessional for Dean to be saying that someone with a contention is “dispicable.” Gaud forbid!
While the Blade says that a “Stonewall” official sent the e-mails to Bond, the Stonewall reply never explains that connection(did they fire him or what?) Why would he (Mr. e-mail) equate getting his position by discriminating agaist blacks with hers. I don’t think that anyone says that Daugherty got her position by descriminating against gays, only that she used it to decriminate.
While the situation is disturbing, they don’t really say (Blade) what Brazile’s position with regards to delagate affirmative action should be.
In all, it’s not clear how much of anyone got anywhere in the intrique. It seems that the Blade could have done better reportage- you ‘re right , they should watch their backs if they don’t put together clearer stories . Am I missing something?
M Shane Walsh
Aside, there is a problem with the avidity of liberal intentions with Affirmative Action in hiring. While I don’t seem to have any problem with finding pretty clear headed Blacks on the streets, just rubbing elbows, some people both in government and private industries put people in administrative positions who are in no way qualified. I think that there may be some tendancy for people who are not educated and have prety provincial religious backgrounds to look for those jobs where someone is despirate for anyone who seems submissive or something. You might note that about Ms. Daugherty, people working with her, naturally sing her praises (would they tell the truth if it was contrary?)
Her invovement with AIDS means virtually nothing about queers, and the only thig that people say is that she is noyt homophobic: well she would be really stupid to run around a liberal headquarters yelling “fags: burn em'”.
seitan-on-a-stick
The Washington Blade has lost it’s grip on journalism since American Smeardia took over and I went to a Stonewall Democrats meeting a while back and this ugly troll came onto me and he’s in every group at the NYC GLBT Center. My dick is not a Gas Nozzle when I want to exercise my political muscle. There is a time and place, Gap Troll! Like, the AOL chatrooms with the other trolls.
M Shane Walsh
It appears that the Blade was so despirate for a story that they thought that with obfuscation they could give the impression that there was something besides some unauthorized dimbo creating a hassle where their is none and moreover creating a conflict which may not be real (the court will decide).
That’s just irresponsible reportage.
R. Wood
The Blade article is just another example of the so-called gay media doing nothing to further the work of LGBT rights activists and choosing instead to belittle and undermine the work of dedicated activists. The unfortunate correspondance of two years ago is behind us and it raises questions about what the Blade hoped to achieve by printing such a story. In this election cycle we should be supporting the organizations and leaders who are most likely to open doors to full equality rather than trying to damage the reputations and working relationships of those groups.
david
During my AIDA activist days, Paul Yandura had a reputation for being a bigger obstructionist in the White House for HIV and LGBT activists than any of straight people or President Bill Clinton for that matter. Such as sharp and curious switch to becoming a self rightgeous activist.
Dean was the main force behind the rules change to include LGBT people amongst the numerical diversity goals when states choose delegates to the 2008 convention. Dean also appointed a record number of openly LGBT people to convention committees. To be fair Dean did do some TERRIBLE things. For instance when he became party chair he implemented the 50 State Strategy. All of the standing beltway consulting contracts were cancelled and beltway consultants were hired on a short term as needed basis. The money was instead directed at State Parties and community organizations that would turn out the vote locally. Though it did help us win seats it did piss of a lot of DC consultants. Notice how Dean’s biggest critics also have lucrative consulting businesses.
Why didn’t the Blade ask Paul Yandura if Yandura + Scott Consulting had their standing 6 figure contract with the DNC cancelled when Dean became chair?