NYC LOVE BALL TRAILER, FUNDRAISER NEWS and SLDN PROTEST VIDEO!

June 27, 2009
Nearly a million dollars was raised by the Democratic National Committee's LGBT Leadership Council banquet at the White House Thursday night, where the plates cost $1000+ each, in spite of a highly publicized (but half-hearted) boycott.

DNC Chairman Virginia Governor Tim Kaine photo

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To the Party’s credit, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement before the fundraiser (June 26, 2007) in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots:
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"Forty years ago at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, gay and lesbian Americans fought injustice from persecution and discrimination, bravely leading the charge in what has become the defining spark that began the gay rights movement around the world. Four decades later, we as a people have come a long way and should be proud of what we have accomplished since that day in promoting equal rights for all Americans–yet there is much more to do." ==continued below photo==
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Openly gay Rep Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis) outside fundraiser June 25, 2009 photo

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"With a President and majority in Congress committed to equality for all, our country can take more steps toward achieving the Democratic Party’s commitment to fulfilling that promise by passing such laws as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, adopting a national HIV/AIDS strategy, enhancing the safety of our military and our national security by eliminating ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell', and by repealing the Defense of Marriage Act." ==continued below photo==

Protesters outsite White House DNC LGBT fundraiser June 25, 2009 photo

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"With the courage and defiance of those individuals at Stonewall Inn still in our hearts and minds, the Democratic Party reaffirms its commitment to the march towards equality for all and second class citizenship for none."

Even the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), who picketed the banquet, sent two members inside to take part, although they reportedly were planning to vocalize their impatience with the administration from within the fundraiser.

VP Joe Biden addresses the fundraiser, pledging high priority for LGBT rights

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Inside the banquet, Vice President Joe Biden told the attendees that the administration has appointed 60 LGBT people, including nine that require Senate confirmation. He promised gay and lesbian concerns will not be “delayed, put off or not end up on Obama's plate” despite the fact that he is dealing with so many other issues.

He pledged that the White House would take up the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the passage of the Lieberman-Baldwin bill on health benefits, a ban on workplace discrimination, adoption rights for all, and an end to the HIV travel ban. Biden received multiple standing ovations as he spoke. Read the full story at politico.com.

Watch this Washington Blade video report on the SLDN protest outside the affair:

Photo of Times Square promo for June 27, 2009 Love Ball dance party at the Nokia Theater commemorating Stonewall

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Gavin Creel and other cast members from HAIR, shirtless sailors, and sexy dancers, will be featured in this Saturday's the Saint at Large Love Ball dance party (benefiting Heritage of Pride) at the Nokia Theater in New York City as part of Gay Pride Weekend.
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Photo of Times Square promo for Saint-at-Large Love Ball dance party to commemorate Stonewall

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Check out the above photos from a sneak peak performance they gave in Times Square on Thursday. And watch a trailer for the Party:

There was an interesting OP-ED piece in The New York Times yesterday entitled, “The Real Mob at Stonewall” by Lucian K. Truscott IV, the author of Dress Gray. He was a writer for the Village Voice at the time and he covered the story as it happened. He rebuffs several myths surrounding the riots. Check it out!

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==copyright 2009==