DNC names Latina lesbian and Latino transman as at-large Democratic Convention delegates

This Friday, as a prelude to this years Democratic National Convention taking place this August in Denver, the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee selected 25 at-large delegates to the Convention as members of the DNC's standing Platform, Rules and Credentials Committees.

Of the 25 at-large delegates, seven LGBT individuals were named to the three different committees and the selection is striking in its diversity.

Of four LGBT individuals named to the Platform Committee - which is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the convention - two are Hispanic:

Ingrid Duran (above) is a Board Member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Chair of the National Hispana Ledareship Institute (NHLI) and Co-Founder and Principal of D&P Creative Strategies, which seeks to "increase the role of corporate, legislative and philanthropic efforts in addressing the concerns of Latinos, women and LGBT communities."

Previously Ms. Duran had served as President of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, as an officer of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and as a member of President Bill Clinton's Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS.

Diego Sanchez (right) is a transgender man who acts as the Director of Public Relations and External Affairs at the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. Mr. Sanchez has also served on the Board of the Human Rights Campaign and the Boston-based Latino grassroots organization Somos Latinos LGBT. In the past he was also named by Hispanic Business magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Latinos in Corporate America.

They are joined on the Platform Committee by Dr. Marjorie Hill, an African-American woman who is the current Executive Director of the New York's Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), and State Rep. Patricia Todd of Alabama.

In addition, Clare Lucas, Chair of the the DNC's Gay/Lesbian Leadership Council, and Evan Low - an Asian-American gay man who was elected last year to the Campbell City Council in California at the age of 23 - were named to the Rules Committee.

Bob Rogan, a Congressional Chief of Staff from Vermont was named to the Credentials Committee.

All at-large delegates were chosen at the recommendation of DNC chair - and former presidential candidate - Gov. Howard Dean, and will join hundreds of other delegates at the convention, including other LGBT individuals, selected by their states of origin.

UPDATE (Jan. 16, 2008): Here is the official DNC press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2008
DNC ELECTS RECORD NUMBER OF LGBT MEMBERS TO 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION STANDING COMMITTEES
Appointments Reflect Strength, Diversity and Energy of Democratic Party

DENVER - The Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee(DNC) unanimously elected DNC Chairman Howard Dean's nominations for the Chairs and members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees, including a record number of openly LGBT members. Dean's LGBT appointments include Dr. Marjorie Hill of the Gay Men's Health Crisis organization in New York, Diego Sanchez from AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, State Representative Patricia Todd of Alabama, and Ingrid Duran of Virginia to serve on the Platform Committee, along with Claire Lucas and Evan Low of California to the Rules Committee and Bob Rogan of Vermont to the Credentials Committee.

In addition to appointing a record number of LGBT standing committee members, Dean was also the first DNC chair to appoint a member of the transgender community to a Convention committee.

The Standing Committees of the Convention are responsible for reviewing Convention business and formulating recommendations for consideration by Convention delegates.

The Executive Committee's vote took place during the panel's recent meeting in Denver, site of the four-day Convention in August.

"The record turnout and enthusiasm we've seen for our Democratic candidates is a clear sign that Americans trust Democrats to bring much needed change to our country," said Governor Dean.

"These outstanding leaders reflect the great strength, diversity and energy of the Democratic Party, and I'm confident their efforts will ensure our Convention in Denver is reflective of our shared values and our nominee's vision for America."

The elections included the Chairs and 25 Party Leader and ElectedOfficial (PLEO) members of the three Convention Standing Committees:

Credentials, Platform and Rules. Each committee has a total of 186 members. An additional 161 members elected by each of the states' and territories' Convention delegations will join Governor Dean's appointments to the committees later this spring.

For a full list of and biographical information on the Chairs and PLEO members from each Standing Committee, visit
http://www.demconvention.com/a/standingcommittees.pdf .

Credentials Committee The Credentials Committee is charged with coordinating issues aroundthe selection of delegates and alternates to the Convention and will
likely meet in the summer. The committee will issue a report that is the first official item of business at the Convention.

Platform Committee The Platform Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a
proposed National Platform for approval at the Convention. After conducting hearings and forums to collect testimony on issues and policies to potentially include in the platform, the committee is likely to meet sometime in July.

Rules Committee The Rules Committee is responsible for proposing the Permanent Rules for the Convention, adopting the proposed Convention agenda and making recommendations for permanent Convention officers - all addressed as the second official item of business at the Convention. The committee will meet sometime in August, prior to the Convention.

UPDATE #2 (Jan. 18, 2008): Marti Abernathey of TransAdvocate provides some context.