June 02, 2007
STEIN CLUB MOURNS PASSING OF RICHARD RAUSCH
Washington, DC - May 30, 2007 - The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), the largest LGBT political organization in the District, mourns the passing of Richard Rausch, a founding member and longtime leader of the Stein Club. Richard Rausch was one of only three individuals honored by the Stein Club as an "Honorary Life Member" of the Club. The other Life Members are Dr. Frank Kameny and Club Founder Richard Maulsby.
Richard Rausch was an advisor and confidant to Stein Club leaders for many decades and a force to be reckoned with within the Stein Club and the DC political community. He served as the first openly gay member of the Democratic National Committee from the District of Columbia, Vice-Chair of the DC Democratic State Committee, and Chair of the Ward Six Democrats.
"Our community, and the entire DC political community, has lost a valued friend, a wise advisor and most of all, a fighting progressive. We miss Richard already, but we re-commit ourselves to fighting for the values and causes he held so dear," commented Mario Acosta-Velez, Stein Club President.
Posted by DCadmin at June 2, 2007 05:35 PM
May 04, 2007
Stein Club Applauds Appointment of Clark Ray as Director of the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services
Washington, DC - May 4, 2007 - The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), the largest LGBT political group in the District, applauded today the appointment of Stein Club member Clark Ray as Director of the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services.
"We commend Mayor Fenty for selecting a member of the LGBT community to serve in such an important leadership role within the District's government. A long-term member of the Stein Club, Clark Ray has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving services for our community and our city. We congratulate Clark on this important appointment and look forward to working with him to continue our efforts to improve access and services for our community," said Mario Acosta-Velez, Stein Club President.
Posted by DCadmin at May 4, 2007 11:30 AM
Stein Club Congratulates Yvette Alexander, Muriel Bowser and Sekou Biddle on their Election Victories
Washington, DC - May 4, 2007 - The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), the largest LGBT political organization in the District, congratulates City Council Member-elect Yvette Alexander (Ward 7), City Council Member-elect Muriel Bowser (Ward 4) and Board of Education Member-elect Sekou Biddle (District II) on their victories in the May 1 special election.
"All the elected candidates have expressed strong support for and commitment to address issues important to the District's LGBT community. We have now a strong City Council that is supportive of LGBT issues and we are ready to work with all councilmembers to promote legislative initiatives that will improve the quality of life and civil rights for the LGBT community," said Mario Acosta-Velez, Stein Club President.
Posted by DCadmin at May 4, 2007 11:24 AM
April 27, 2007
Stein Club Supports Proposed FY 2008 Budget for Office of Police Complaints
Washington, DC - April 27, 2007 - The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), the largest LGBT political organization in the District, sent today a letter to Councilmember Phil Mendelson, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary of the Council of the District of Columbia, in support of the proposed FY 2008 proposed budgent for the Office of Police Complaints. The text of the letter is below:
April 27, 2007
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chair
Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20013
Dear Councilmember Mendelson:
On behalf of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), DC’s largest LGBT political organization, I am writing to express our support for the proposed FY 2008 budget for the Office of Police Complaints (OPC). The Stein Club views the OPC as an agency with a vital function of interest to the LGBT community as well as all citizens of the District of Columbia. As your Committee considers the funding request for this office, we urge that at a minimum you support the full requested amount including funding for three new investigators.
The OPC faces a growing workload. The speedy resolution of cases is essential to the mission of OPC to resolve citizen complaints as to actions of members of the Metropolitan Police Department. In our community in particular, trust and confidence between the public and the police force is needed to ensure cooperation and positive community relations.
Posted by DCadmin at April 27, 2007 04:45 PM
April 12, 2007
Stein Club Endorses Brown, Alexander, and Biddle
Washington, DC - April 10, 2007 - The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), the largest LGBT political organization in the District, held its Endorsement Meeting for Wards 4 and 7 of the DC Council, and District 2 of the Board of Education (Special Elections) on Monday, April 9, 2007. The Stein Club endorsed Michael A. Brown for Ward 4 DC Council, Yvette M. Alexander for Ward 7 DC Council, and Sekou Biddle for Board of Education.
The Stein Club held three endorsement votes at the April 9 endorsement meeting. A candidate for office must receive at least 60% of the vote of members present in order to receive the Stein Club's endorsement. All votes were conducted by secret ballot.
In the Ward 4 DC Council endorsement, Michael A. Brown received 67.21% of the vote (41 votes out of 61 total votes).
In the Ward 7 DC Council endorsement, Yvette M. Alexander received 60.34% (35 votes out of 58 total votes).
In the District 2 of Board of Education endorsement, Sekou Biddle received 64.10% (25 votes out of 39 votes) on a second ballot, run-off vote.
Posted by DCadmin at April 12, 2007 09:28 AM
April 03, 2007
Stein Club to Hold Endorsement Meeting for Wards 4 and 7 / School Board
Washington, DC - April 3, 2007 - The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (Stein Club), the largest LGBT political organization in the District, will hold its Endorsement Meeting for Wards 4 and 7 of the DC Council, and District 2 of the Board of Education (Special Elections) on Monday, April 9, 2007.
"All Democratic candidates in Wards 4 and 7, and all candidates for District 2 of the Board of Education have been invited to participate in the endorsement meeting," said Mario Acosta-Velez, Stein Club President.
The endorsement meeting will be a forum to learn about the candidates' positions on LGBT issues, and to mobilize the LGBT community to participate in the special election.
"We asked the candidates to submit a 250-word statement summarizing their positions on LGBT community and the District in general. We will make these statements available to our membership prior to the meeting," concluded Acosta-Velez.
Posted by DCadmin at April 3, 2007 04:15 PM
March 15, 2007
Stein Club Elects Sheila Alexander-Reid as Female Representative to the Democratic State Committee
Washington, DC - March 13, 2007 - At the March 12th meeting, the Stein Club elected Sheila Alexander-Reid as the female representative to the Democratic State Committee (DSC). The Stein Club currently has two seats on the DSC. Sheila joins Stein Club President Mario Acosta-Velez as the Stein Club representatives to the DSC.
"Sheila is one of the most active members of the Stein Club, serving during the last year in the membership committee. We look forward to Sheila's participation in the DSC and her contributions to enhance the Stein Club presence within the local Democratic Party," said Mario Acosta-Velez, Stein Club President.
Posted by DCadmin at March 15, 2007 11:48 AM
