UPDATE: The following is an email from Jim Nimmo
(Posted 6-7-02)

Invitation to all Oklahoma Democratic Candidates

The Oklahoma Stonewall Convention invites all Oklahoma Democratic candidates or their representatives to meet and greet, at 9:30am, Convention attendees prior to the Convention starting time of 10:00, Saturday, June 8, at the Krumme Center.

Candidates may also have an opportunity to address the Convention briefly during the beginning of the formal agenda.

For further information call James Nimmo, treasurer, Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats at 405-843-3651, or e-mail:  violadamore2@yahoo.com

 

UPDATE: The following is an email from Jim Nimmo
(Posted 6-4-02)

Newly elected, openly gay, city councilman from Norman, Oklahoma, David Ray, will be the guest speaker at The Oklahoma State Stonewall Convention this Saturday, June 8, 10:00am. This will be Mr. Ray's first address to an openly gay political event in Oklahoma. As a faculty member of the Political Science Department at OU, Mr. Ray will bring an insider's view of politics, both in theory and in practice. Ask Mr. Ray how the gay viewpoint can change politics to help bring equality and inclusion to Oklahoma. Don't miss the premier Stonewall Democrats Convention.

 

The following are emails from Jim Nimmo
(Posted 5-21-02)

As treasurer of Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats and a member of the nominating committee for the State Convention, I want to personally invite all progressive Democrats, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification to this historic event on Saturday, June 8, from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the State Democratic Party HQ, located at NE 41 and N. Lincoln, in the Krumme Center.

This Convention will allow the State Democratic Party to officially recognize Stonewall Democrats as a club of the State Party.  There was a time, not so long ago in Oklahoma political history, when an active group of gays/lesbians would not have received the positive attention that so many have worked for over the years.  The Republican Party still treats gays/lesbians as unwanted guests, as gate-crashers to their private enclave of exclusive decision-makers, an enclave that cares only for concentrating political power, not sharing it.

The modern Democratic Party is serious about the inclusion of minorities into the mix of Democratic decision making in order to advance the needs and ideas of gays/lesbians and to share the power that is guaranteed to all citizens of the USA by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For gays/lesbians, the Democratic Party is where the real political progress is happening.

In order to keep the Party and the progress going we need to have a slate of active officers elected at our Convention on June 8.  The State Stonewall chapter is separate from the OKC Central Oklahoma chapter and it is important that the duties be shared among as many different people as possible.  This is a premiere moment in Oklahoma to launch a gay/lesbian political movement aimed at exclusively promoting gay/lesbian equality across the state.  I want to invite you to consider placing your name on the ballot for any of the four offices:  male co-chair, female co-chair, treasurer, secretary.

Even if you chose not to seek an office, we need your body and opinions at the Convention.  Party registration and Stonewall membership will be available at the Convention to allow you to immediately qualify to vote for officers and resolutions presented at the Convention.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please call me at 405-843-3651, or e-mail at violadamore2@yahoo.com

 

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Readers,
Thanks to the generosity and foresight of Paul Barby, founder of Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, board member of National Stonewall Democrats, and Secretary of the Oklahoma State Democratic Party, to name just three of his accomplishments, there will be a Silver Table for Stonewall Democrats of Oklahoma at the Fred Harris Democratic Party Fundraiser Dinner, on Saturday June 8, starting at 7:30, at Oklahoma City Community College.  OCCC is located at 7777 S. May. 

Tickets are $40 each and proceeds from ticket sales for the Stonewall table will be seed money for the treasury of the new Stonewall Democrats state-wide chapter.  

The honoree of the dinner, Fred Harris, has held several important positions with the State and National Democratic Parties, including national chair of the DNC.

Undoubtedly, at the dinner, the Gold, Silver, and Bronze tables will be recognized from the podium, so this will be our opportunity to announce both the formation of the new State Stonewall chapter and to shine the rainbow.

If unable to attend, donations in any amount will gratefully be accepted and applied towards the Silver Table fund.  Checks should be made payable to "Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats."  Let me hear from you ASAP.

For further information or questions, call me at 405-843-3651, or e-mail at violadamore2@yahoo.com
If attending or donating, my address is 2406 NW 59th Street, OKC, 73112.

If you want to attend and money stands in the way, contact me and I will in turn contact an anonymous donor to help. Confidentiality maintained.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Fundraiser
An Evening with Fred Harris
Dinner: 7:30p.m. Saturday, June 8
Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S. May Ave., Oklahoma City