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DNC Chair Howard Dean talks with Leah Daughtry, the lead convention planner, at Invesco Field in Denver. Obama is scheduled to deliver his acceptance speech at the stadium on Thursday. (Photo by Ed Andrieski/AP)
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Covering the convention
The Blade is sending two reporters to Denver to cover next week’s Democratic National Convention. Be sure to check washingtonblade.com for daily news updates.
Gay events scheduled throughout convention
Sunday, Aug. 24
• Reception by National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, 6 p.m. at
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe St. Tickets required.
• Reception by Matthew Shepard Foundation and National Stonewall
Democrats, 7:30 p.m. at Westin Tabor Center, 1672 Lawrence St.
Tickets required.
Monday, Aug. 25
• Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus meeting, noon at Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. Open to the public.
• Luncheon by Global AIDS Alliance, noon at Hotel Monaco, 1717 Champa St. RSVP required.
• Tea party by National Stonewall Democrats, 2 p.m. at Grand Hyatt’s
Pinnacle Club, 1750 Welton St. Tickets required.
• Reception for gay people of color by Human Rights Campaign and
others, 4 p.m. at Westin Tabor Center, 1672 Lawrence St.
Invitation only.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
• Luncheon by U.S. Reps. Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin and others, noon at Sheraton Denver Hotel, 1550 Court Place. Invitation
only.
• Reception by Gill Action and others, 4 p.m. at Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. Invitation only.
• HRC Rock to Win Concert, 7:30 p.m. at Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St. Tickets required.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
• Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus meeting, noon at Colorado
Convention Center, 700 14th St. Open to the public.
• Reception by Democratic National Committee Gay & Lesbian
Leadership Council, 2 p.m. at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 950 13th
St. RSVP required.
Source: Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: CHRIS JOHNSON COMMENTS
 
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convention itself” to identify his running mate. In 1988, then-Republican presidential candidate George H.W. Bush didn’t announce that his running mate would be Dan Quayle from Indiana until after the Republican convention started.
The Obama campaign’s decision to send out the name of Obama’s vice presidential pick by text-messaging supporters would cause “a media frenzy for a couple of days” after the announcement had been made, Pinello said.
The gay caucus meetings for the convention, where delegates will meet to discuss gay-related issues, are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday.
Rick Stafford, chair of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) gay caucus, said the caucuses were “kind of a celebration of our community.” The caucuses make the gay community more visible and show it has “a very valuable part in the nominating process and we have a seat at the table.”
“It also will be a time for us to celebrate some of the victories we had … over the past four years,” he said.
Stafford said the caucuses would also highlight the inclusion of gay-related items in the Democratic platform, which will be given final approval during the convention.
The platform calls for an end to discrimination based on gender identity and a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which prohibits openly gay people from serving in the military. Unlike the 2004 platform, the 2008 document does not mention the words “gay” or “lesbian.”
Gay speakers during the caucuses will include Jared Polis, a businessman who on Aug. 12 secured the Democratic nomination for a congressional seat in Colorado. Steve Hildebrand, Obama’s deputy campaign manager, also is set to make an appearance.
Straight speakers who have expressed interest in making an appearance at the caucuses include Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and DNC chair Howard Dean, Stafford said.
Gay leaders and organizations are planning a number of additional events during the convention directed at gay attendees.
The National Stonewall Democrats has scheduled a reception Sunday with Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, a gay man who was murdered in 1998 and whose name is attached to the hate crimes legislation pending in Congress.
On Monday, HRC, the National Black Justice Coalition and other organizations will host a reception for gay people of color.
Frank and Baldwin will host a luncheon for gay delegates on Tuesday. HRC and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund also will participate in the event.
On the same day, HRC will host the Rock to Win Concert. Featured performers include Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright and Margaret Cho.
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