Kaplan also told Windy City Times that she felt so much has changed for the LGBT community since 2000, and even in 2004, when same-sex marriage was used as a wedge issue.
"It truly felt like we were standing on the edge of history." "The experience then was very exciting, but the energy level was nothing compared to what it felt like to be in Denver last week," Kaplan said. Jackie Kaplan, a lesbian delegate, attended the DNC back in 2000, as well. I think she's committed 150 percent to electing Barack in November." Hillary speech was probably the highlight for me"and I'm an Obama delegate I thought she was unbelievable. The enthusiasm was certainly evident on Michelle was so articulate and so personable. Talking about speeches that took place earlier in the week, he said, "I thought Michelle was great and I thought Kennedy was poignant. Tom Tunney, alderman of Chicago's 44th Ward, spoke with Windy City Times at Invesco Field before Sen. "Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, gay, lesbian, transgender, old and young had come to hear the senator from Illinois," Gray said. She also felt pride because of the presence of powerful women such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, and because Obama became the first African-American man to accept a major party nomination. The presence of over 300 LGBT delegates wasn't the only reason Gray felt proud, she said. My pride is every day, and so it was at the DNC." "I love to smile and say that I do not have to wait for the last Sunday in June to have Pride. "The diversity that I saw every day in Denver was what brought tears to my eyes," Gray said. She was very moved by what she saw at the convention, as well. Lesbian delegate Vernita Gray attended with her mother. "I left with a sense of pride in my country, pride in my party and a renewed passion to keep our country from being run, yet again, by the wackos on the Republican ticket," he said. Openly gay Illinois delegate Mark Demich told Windy City Times that the DNC showed "how truly vast and diverse our country and our party are."ĭemich spoke of the emotions felt by many during the convention, in particular, during Sen. Overall, the local lesbians and gays who were out on the convention floor as delegates during the four-day Democratic National Convention ( DNC ) in Denver called it inspirational because of its inclusion and diversity, and a stark contrast to the Republican National Convention RNC ). This article shared 4324 times since Wed Oct 1, 2008