News

Gertrude Stein Democratic Club elects officers for year 2004

(December 12, 2003)
Washington, D.C. - On Monday, December 8th at its monthly meeting the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club held elections for its Executive Committee at the John Wilson District building.

Elected as President is Mr. David Meadows. Mr. Meadows, a long time gay Democratic activist is currently an At-Large member of the DC Democratic State party. David is a past President of the Ward 6 Democrats and was a founding Board Member of Pride at Work, a LGBT constituency group of the AFL-CIO. David was elected as an openly gay Gore/Lieberman delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention. David has served on the executive Committee of Gertrude Stein since 1998. An Event Planner, David owns a home on Capitol Hill.

Elected as 1st Vice President for Political Affairs is Mr. Brad Lewis. Mr. Lewis is the current President of Gertrude Stein. Brad is a current At Large member of the DC Democratic State party. He is an Executive Committee member of the Ward 8 Democrats. Brad is a past Chairman of the DC Coalition for Black Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals Inc. Brad currently serves on the DC Real Estate Board. A former diversity trainer of GLOV, Brad is a training consultant for Total Learning Solutions. A native Washingtonian, Brad owns a home in historic Anacostia.

Elected as 2nd Vice President of Administration is Ms. Claire Lucas. Ms. Lucas an openly Lesbian Democratic party activist has worked on numerous political campaigns across the country and recently served as National Deputy Fundraiser for Howard Dean for America. Claire is an elected board member of the National Stonewall Democrats. She was instrumental in developing the DNC Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council of the National Democratic Committee. A fundraising consultant, Claire has worked on behalf of HRC, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and many other progressive organizations and Democratic candidates. Claire has just finished her PHD on the economics of AIDS in Africa. Claire owns a home in Ward 4.

Elected as Secretary is Mr. Mario Acosta-Velez. Mr. Acosta-Velez, a longtime civil rights advocate for the Latino and LGBT communities is a current Board Member of the DC Chapter of the ACLU. Mario serves as a member of the DC Commission on Human Rights. An owner of a diversity consulting business, MAVC Strategic Consulting, Mario currently lives in Ward 2.

Elected as Treasurer is Mr. Darrin Glymph. Mr. Glymph is the current Chairman of the DC Local Business Opportunity Commission. Darrin is an elected board member of Friendship house Association. He is also an elected board member of the Washington Very Special Arts. Darrin is a longtime Democratic Activist and a founding member of the Gay Men of African Decent (GMAD) Darrin is a Municipal finance Attorney practicing in Washington, DC and owns a home in Ward 4.

Kurt Vorndran, former President of Gertrude Stein who calls the officers DC's own Fab 5, said "With an upcoming election year, this dedicated group and their range of experience and diversity will serve the membership of Gertrude Stein and the LGBT community of DC greatly".

On Wednesday, December 10th, President-Elect, David Meadows testified to the DC Committee of Finance and Revenue in favor of the "District of Columbia Deed Recordation Tax Amendment Act of 2003". Legislation that will remove the tax penalty when a partner adds a Domestic Partner to an existing property title. The pro LGBT legislation, written by Chairman Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) at the request of Gertrude Stein and GLAA and was co-sponsored by the entire City Council and supported by Mayor Anthony Williams and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton.

Founded in 1976, Gertrude Stein Democratic Club is the City's largest politically active LGBT organization and is an affiliate of the National Stonewall Democrats.