Nevada Stonewall Statement on Today's Senate Votes

NSDC STATEMENT ON SB 180 FAILURE,

AND SB 331 & SB 368 PASSAGE

Contact: 

Andrew Davey, Secretary & Political Director

(702) 806-1340/ atdnext@gmail.com

Chris Miller, President

(702) 569-6744/ chrisisademocrat@gmail.com 

We at Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus (NSDC) were encouraged today by the passage of SB 331 and SB 368 in the Nevada State Senate today.  If these bills become law, they will represent significant progress in the fight for LGBTQ equality here in Nevada. SB 331 addresses and moves to remedy public accommodations discrimination against transgender Nevadans, and SB 368 addresses housing discrimination that is still allowed against any LGBTQ Nevadans.

However, we were disappointed by the painfully narrow failure of SB 180 today. If passed, this bill would have penalized dangerous and abhorrent hate crimes against transgender Nevadans. No one deserves to be violently attacked for who one is, but this regularly happens to far too many transgender Nevadans. And until our state hate crimes statute is revised to include anti-transgender hate crimes, far too many people in this state will still be vulnerable to such unjust brutal attacks.

As the 76th Session of the Nevada Legislature continues, NSDC will continue to watch what happens in Carson City, advocate for bills that advance LGBTQ equality, and work for a fair & sensible budget that works for all of Nevada’s working families. And despite today’s disappointing loss on SB 180, we are hopeful that Senate passage of SB 331 and SB 368 are the start of further progress on ending discrimination, advancing civil rights, and ensuring all in our community can access quality education & health care.

###

Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus was founded in 2005. Our membership consists of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Nevadans and our straight allies. We will lobby and educate members of the Nevada State Legislature to protect the rights and advocate on behalf of Nevadans who are routinely discriminated against because of their sexuality and gender identity. 

@NVStonewallDems 

nvstonewalldems@gmail.com

Good Day for Equality: AB 211 Passed Assembly

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

Here's some actual good news to come out of Carson City today: AB 211 passed!

OK... So? So... This.



As of today, it's still "legal" to fire transgender people from work for no good reason. AB 211 will change that if passed and signed into law. We're now about 1/3 of the way there with Assembly passage, so now we need full Senate passage, then preferably a signature from The Governor. (If Sandoval vetoes, then we need at least 2/3 support from each house of The Legislature to override.)

So now is the perfect time to contact your State Senator and let them know you want AB 211 passed.

ELECT, NOT APPOINT

By Chris Miller, President

If citizens electing representatives is the bedrock of our democracy, then why is there a bill in Carson City to change all of that. AB548, currently in the Assembly Education Committee will take away our rights as Nevadans to elect members of the State Board of Education. This bill, if passed, will make those 9 positions appointed. Why, because lawmakers want to control policy, reward friends and make you think it is in our best interest – it is NEVER in our best interest to let them take away our right to vote!

Some other points to note:

1. AB548 would be taking away the right of the citizen voter for elected representation by REGION.
2. Most appointed positions are given to white males and are not reflective of demographics. Current board is comprised of 5 women and 4 men. Ethnically, there are 2 African Americans, 3 Hispanics and 5 Caucasian members.
3. AB548 would give the Governor a 'rubber stamp' Education Board to make curricula. textbook and policy decisions.

The last is important because last year in Texas, the conservative Texas State Board of Education approved new textbooks. Among the changes form the old books: Students would be required to learn about the “unintended consequences” of Title IX, affirmative action, and the Great Society, and would need to study conservative icons like Phyllis Schlafly, the Heritage Foundation, and the Moral Majority.

The slave trade would be renamed the “Atlantic triangular trade,” American “imperialism” changed to “expansionism,” and all references to “capitalism” have been replaced with “free enterprise.”

The role of Thomas Jefferson – who argued for the separation of church and state – is minimized in several places, and the standards would emphasize the degree to which the Founding Fathers were driven by Christian principles.

The politicized textbooks would be a problem just inside Texas, but economic factors have given the state a huge influence over textbooks throughout the country. Unlike many other states, Texas makes the decisions on a state level on what books local school districts can buy. So when the state makes a decision on what books to purchase for its 4.7 million high school students, publishers take notice. The only bigger market for textbooks in the country is California, a state whose budget is in such disarray, it announced that it won’t be buying new books until 2014. In the meantime, an anonymous industry executive told Washington Monthly, “publishers will do whatever it takes to get on the Texas list,” even if that means caving in to right-wing activists.

Needles to say, if Gov Sandoval gets the right to appoint individuals instead of the electorate exercising it's rights under a democracy, we could be next here in Nevada.

This bill may be voted out of committee as early as today. Please take a moment and call members of the Assembly Education Committee and tell them why you oppose this bill.

Assembly Education Committee

Chair:
David P. Bobzien (Home) 775-393-9709 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8559 dbobzien@asm.state.nv.us

Vice Chair:
Marilyn Dondero Loop (Cell) 702-556-0224 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8833 mdonderoloop@asm.state.nv.us

Paul Aizley (Home) 702-361-8262 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8821 paizley@asm.state.nv.us

Elliot T. Anderson (Home) 702-733-4073 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8835 eanderson@asm.state.nv.us

Olivia Diaz (Home) 702-501-8994 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8553 odiaz@asm.state.nv.us

Lucy Flores (Wk) 702-437-0587 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8583 lflores@asm.state.nv.us

April Mastroluca (Cell) 702-286-8568 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8855 amastroluca@asm.state.nv.us

Harvey J. Munford (Cell) 702-375-0601 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8545 hmunford@asm.state.nv.us

Dina Neal (Home) 702-738-5870 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8587 dneal@asm.state.nv.us

Ira Hansen (Cell) 775-221-2502 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8851 ihansen@asm.state.nv.us

Randy Kirner (Home) 775-852-3857 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8848 rkirner@asm.state.nv.us

Richard McArthur (Home) 702-396-1065 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8829 rmcarthur@asm.state.nv.us

Lynn D. Stewart (Cell) 702-370-2185 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8823 lstewart@asm.state.nv.us

Melissa Woodbury (Home) 702-762-3110 (Leg. Bldg.) 775-684-8503 mwoodbury@asm.state.nv.us

Do Not Support Hate and Bigotry

The following individuals responded to the Nevada Concerned Citizens Group Values Voters Guide. This group is an organization that we would consider Religious Right Zealots. The only thing we can say is that to even agree to complete their questionnaire and seek their endorsement would mean they support Hate and Bigotry.

We truly applaud the candidates NOT on this list.

Boulder City
Council Linda Graham
Council Rodney S. Woodbury
Mayor Linda G. Strickland
Mayor Roger Tobler ENDORSED

Henderson
Council 1 Edward Hamilton
Council 2 John Simmons
Council 4 Ron Hubel
Council 4 Michael Mayberry ENDORSED

Las Vegas
Mayor Larry Brown
Mayor Katherine Duncan
Mayor Joe Falco
Mayor Larry M.Jeppesen
Mayor Christine Montez
Mayor Marlene Rogoff
Mayor Steven D.Ross ENDORSED
Mayor Anthony Wernicke

Council 1 Margarita Rebollal
Council 3 Tony Liker ENDORSED
Council 3 Carlo Poliak
Council 5 Randy Voyard

Mesquite
Council Leo Black Jr.
Council Kraig Hafen ENDORSED
Council Allan S.Litman
Council Justin Ludvigson
Council Robert Smith

North Las Vegas
Council 2 CarlGatson ENDORSED
Council 4 Wade Wagner ENDORSED

Henderson Municipal Court
3 William M.Waters

Las Vegas Municipal Court
2 Marco Angioni II
2 Sonny Bonaventure Chose not to have answers published
2 Robert Kurth
2 Susan Roger
2 George Trachtman Chose not to have answers published

North Las Vegas Municipal Court
1 MarshaKimble-Simms
1 Catherine Ramsey

Why Don't These Local Candidates Value Our Local LGBTQ Families?

SDCSN & NSDC ASK: WHY DON’T THESE LOCAL 

CANDIDATES VALUE OUR LOCAL LGBTQ FAMILIES?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2011

Contact: 

Chris Miller: President, Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus 

(702) 569-6744/ chrisisademocrat@gmail.com 

Derek Washington: Chair, Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada 

(702) 576-4978/ derekisademocrat@gmail.com 

Andrew Davey: Political Director, Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada

Secretary & Political Director, Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus 

(702) 806-1340/ atdnext@gmail.com

As we at Stonewall read through Nevada Concerned Citizens’ (NCC) candidate questionnaire, we were saddened to discover that even more Southern Nevada municipal candidates agree with radical, anti-equality, serial campaigner Richard Ziser that Nevada’s LGBTQ families deserve no civil rights. Just to be clear, the candidates supporting Item #6 are saying LGBTQ families deserve no legal recognition and no human dignity. The candidates opposing Items #7 and #12 want our schools to do nothing as LGBTQ kids to be bullied to death, often literally. Basically, the candidates who are standing with Richard Ziser agree to carry out his agenda to attack many thousands of Southern Nevada families just for who they are.

In Henderson, Republican City Council candidates John Simmons (Ward 2), Ron Hubel (Ward 4), and Mike Mayberry (Ward 4) all support Item #6 and oppose Items #7 and #12. In addition, candidate Ed Hamilton (Ward 1) opposes Items #7 and #12, and would not commit to an answer on Item #6. Do not be fooled by what these candidates say about “valuing Henderson families”.  These candidates’ answers to Richard Ziser indicate that they do not value many thousands of Henderson families, as they seek to take away our domestic partner rights and encourage bullying against innocent children in school. Mike Mayberry is especially of concern, as he is the one Henderson candidate to actually earn Nevada Concerned Citizens’ endorsement. This means that Mayberry essentially endorses the same brand of extreme anti-LGBTQ bigotry that defines NCC, and that he does not share the same true family values as most Henderson voters.

And if that were not troubling enough, North Las Vegas Republican City Council candidates Carl Gatson (Ward 2) and Wade Wagner (Ward 4) also support Item #6 and oppose Items #7 and #12. Again, this means Gatson and Wagner stand with the NCC extremists in taking away LGBTQ families’ domestic partner rights and encouraging bullying against innocent children. Apparently, this was also sufficient for Gatson and Wager to earn NCC’s endorsement. North Las Vegas families certainly deserve better than this.

Families throughout Nevada truly deserve better than this. Our families have suffered alongside everyone else in this state during this recent recession, and local governments are better served focusing on economic recovery than legislating hatred and bigotry. For Henderson City Council candidate Mike Mayberry and North Las Vegas City Council candidates Carl Gatson and Wade Wagner to seek, and then earn, NCC’s endorsement, they had to demonstrate that they care more about promoting hate than encouraging sound economic development. All of the other municipal candidates in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and elsewhere who wasted time answering NCC’s questionnaire and supporting their extreme positions also demonstrated a troubling lack of judgment.

We at Stonewall believe equality under the law is not a Democratic, Republican, or Independent issue. Rather, it is an American and Nevadan issue of justice. We are disgusted to see Nevada Concerned Citizens again push local candidates to pledge to waste local government resources on bigotry, and we are equally disgusted and disappointed by all the local candidates who took NCC’s bait.

Steve Ross and Larry Brown Support a Repeal of Nevada Citizen's Rights

By Chris Miller
President, Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus

As President of the NSDC and a member of the Nevada State Democratic Party Executive Board it is my job to proudly support Democratic candidates at all levels of government. As a leader in Nevada's LGBTQ community it is my job to call out those who are not supportive of LGBTQ rights.

Last night, March 30, 2011, I attended a mayoral forum hosted by Si Se Puede, the Latino Democratic Caucus. There were 4 Democratic candidates present to answer a variety of questions that effect Hispanic citizens of Las Vegas. Because of a response by some of the candidates to a recent endorsement questionnaire by the Nevada Values Coalition, there was a question asked concerning Nevada's current Domestic Partnership law during this forum. The 4 candidates were asked if they would support a repeal of the Domestic Partnership law that was enacted 2 years ago. Here are there responses:

Katie Duncan said "NO".

Chris Giunchigliani said she would never even answer any questionnaire from an organization that would be in favor of such a thing. "NO"

LARRY BROWN AND STEVE ROSS BOTH SAID IN ONE WORD ANSWERS, "YES".

In the 2009 Legislative Session, Sen. David Parks courageously introduced SB283, The Domestic Partnership Act. A host of LGBTQ and Straight Ally organizations lobbied the Nevada Legislature to pass this bill and to then override Governor Gibbons Veto. We were successful.

On a side note, I will never forget the historic night sitting in the gallery as the Nevada Senate passed this hugely important civil rights legislation.

Now, 2 years later, how we can have 2 Democrats running for Mayor of Nevada's largest city saying they would support a repeal of this bill is unfathomable. These 2 candidates want to remove rights from their citizens. To this I say...NO WAY!!

You can all make up your own mind on whom to vote for, personally, I will not support Larry Brown or Steve Ross for Mayor of Las Vegas.

Chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party

by Chris Miller

As most of you know, this coming Saturday, March 26, 2011, The State Central Committee of the Nevada State Democratic Party will meet in Reno to elect a new Chair. The two candidates are Chris Wicker and Roberta Lange. The NSDC has reached out to both candidates and asked for letters to share with our members.

After a flip of a coin, here is Roberta Lange's letter.

Members of Stonewall Democrats

I am proud to be a long-time ally of the LGBTQ community. During my tenure as Chair of the Clark County Democratic Party, I've worked closely with Stonewall Democrats and our allies -- nationally, locally, and statewide -- on a wide range of issues of importance to LGBTQ Nevadans.

I celebrated in 2009 when our State Legislature overrode Governor Gibbons' veto to pass the Domestic Partnership Responsibilities Act of 2009 allowing gay and lesbian couples their rights and official recognition of their love and commitment. In a historical blink of an eye, Nevada helped move the national goalpost from what once was considered impossible to what I believe, with our unrelenting efforts, to be inevitable: full marriage equality.

Transgender people experience some of the most extreme and pervasive problems of any group within the LGBT community. While our LGB citizens are already protected statewide from discrimination in employment and public accommodations as well as being included in our state's Hate Crimes law, I believe we must extend these protections to Nevada's transgender citizens as well.

As a former teacher, I strongly believe we must strengthen our ability to fight against the epidemic of LGBT bullying and discrimination in our public schools, both through educating the public and passing anti-bullying legislation.

I will continue to be a strong advocate of educating Nevadans
about all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression in order to build a better life for all of our state's citizens.

Roberta Lange
Candidate for Chair on the Nevada State Democratic Party



And here is the letter we received from Chris Wicker via Angela Brooks:

Dear Angela

Thank you for your request for information about my candidacy for Chair of the State Democratic party, which will be distributed to Stonewall members statewide.

One question you had is how I felt about GLBT issues. I would like to answer that in part by relating some of my history. My practice has been primarily business and commercial litigation since my arrival to Nevada in 1983. I remember in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, that many GLBT people did not feel they could be open about who they were. In the late 1980’s or early 1990’s, there was a gay rodeo in Reno for a few years. For various reasons the sponsors of the gay rodeo tried to move it to private property in Churchill County. There was opposition to the gay rodeo in the local community culminating worth the District Attorney of Churchill County trying to shut it down. I volunteered with ACLU to represent the gay rodeo to try to allow it to take place. The District Attorney obtained Temporary Restraining Order, which would have the effect of closing the gay rodeo for that year. These were highly publicized occurrences and when I undertook to represent the gay rodeo, I had at least one District Judge and one Supreme Court Justice (neither of whom currently hold office) suggest to me that it was not in my professional interest to be associated with the gay rodeo, particularly because I had business clients and worked a prominent law firm. I ignored those suggestions and represented the gay rodeo before the Nevada Supreme Court, which was headline news the next day. I’ll never forget when I was arguing that the gay rodeo was protected under First Amendment as an expression of gay pride one of the Justices interrupted me and said, “What is this gay pride you are talking about? I have never heard of it” A majority on the Supreme Court refused to overturn the Temporary restraining Order and the gay rodeo in Nevada was effectively destroyed.

Sometime later I was representing a major oil company in litigation that had the attention of the Executive Vice President. One of the employees I worked extensively with disclosed to me, after he found out about my work with the gay rodeo, that he was gay. Subsequent to that, the in-house attorney and I supported him when he came out that he was gay to sis supervisors in the company. He later became the head of diversity for the United States subsidiary of the oil company. Subsequently moved to Pennsylvania to become head of diversity for a major food corporation. Subsequent to his coming out to the oil company, the in-house company attorney retired and at the conclusion of litigation, I was never retained again by that company.

I relate these stories to demonstrate that I have supported GLBT issues through action for over two (2) decades. In Washoe County I am proud to say that we have had many officers who were members of the GLBT Community. Perhaps more importantly, I believe that it simply is never an issue within the Democratic Party whether somebody is a member of the GLBT Community, everybody is simply activist Democrats. We still have work to do in the larger community.

I campaigned for and gave money to members of the GLBT Community that ran for public office. Over the years, I actively opposed the anti-gay marriage initiatives in Nevada.

No matter who is elected as State Chair, I am fully confident that the GLBT Community will continue to be fully integrated in the party, and the GLBT Community issues will be taken on as other issues important to the Democrats are.

In my opinion, the more important issue facing the GLBT and Democrats in general is the rise of the extreme right wing and the fact that Republican politicians seem to be afraid to even sneeze without obtaining the permission of their extreme right wing. This extremist element is hostile to many things important to Democrats and is clearly hostile to the GLBT Community. It is therefore critical that a strong chair is elected who understands this danger and is capable of fighting those dangerous extremist elements.

If I am elected Chair, I look forward to working with Stonewall Democrats as I will with all of our diverse organizations.
Thank you

Sincerely,

W. Chris Wicker