The following report is based on information provided by Victor Gorin & Jim Nimmo
(Posted 6-11-02)

Oklahoma's Stonewall Democrats were officially welcomed into the Oklahoma Democratic Party on Saturday as part of their first statewide convention. The convention was held in order to create a statewide Stonewall Democrats organization, thus qualifying it for recognition as an official Oklahoma Democratic Party organization. Part of this process was adopting by-laws and electing officers. Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats' first statewide officers are Paul Thompson and Rhonda Rudd, co-chairs; Victor Gorin, secretary; and James Nimmo, treasurer.

In addition to creating a statewide organization, convention attendees got to meet several Democratic candidates, and listen to a keynote speech by Oklahoma's first openly-Gay elected official, Norman City Councilperson David Ray. Oklahoma Republican Party chair Chad Alexander's recent statement regarding the Oklahoma Democratic Party's GLBT constituents was read at the convention. Jay Parmley, himself, felt that the GOP statement was not worth taking seriously, and the best response was to show up in his official capacity as ODP chair to welcome the Stonewall Democrats into the Party.