There are some very distinct improvements over even the last convention in that there were daily messages given to the state delegations via closed-circuit TV, slides at each caucus meeting, and credentials to get inside given out much later in the day.

Adding to this year’s excitement was the Convention of the National Stonewall Democrats, held several days before the Party’s National Convention, and marking a definite maturity of an organization I helped found less than a decade ago.

I took the one-hour flight to Providence. As I climbed aboard the airport van which was to take me to the Providence Westin, site of the Stonewall Convention, I ran into an old DC friend, who had been my guest at the beach only 2 weeks before.

That night we went to a reception at Tazza, a bar in the older part of town and met Terry McAuliffe, Chairman of the Democratic Party. This is quite an affirmation by the Party of the role the Stonewall Democrats can play.

Friday, July 23, I had time to be a tourist before we got into some business a bit after noon. We were greeted by openly gay Mayor David Cicilline. Three members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation also spoke with us during the course of the weekend, including Senator Jack Reed, and Congressman Patrick Kennedy who announced he would support gay marriage. Delaware Stonewall presented a must-see documentary Tying the Knot, which followed several gay couples and showed their commitment and the need for gaining full recognition. It was quite touching and brought tears to a few eyes.

On Saturday we heard both Mark Seifert, GLBT coordinator for Kerry-Edwards, and Eric Stern, GLBT coordinator for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and Nancy Wohlmuth, the highest ranking lesbian in the Labor movement. She said we need to defend marriage—from domestic violence, divorce, etc.

Other presentations during the day told about Stonewall’s efforts to send people to swing states and to develop a Stonewall Student Network. Some very impressive young GLBT youth addressed us. We are also coordinating with such groups as—and you will not believe these groups actually exist—the League of Pissed-off voters and the League of Hip-Hop voters.

Sunday, July 25, was the transition day from Providence to Boston. A 45 minute train ride got us to South Station. A short cab ride got me to the dorm at Suffolk University on Tremont St., which was to be my home for 4 nights. There was no TV, and we all shared bathrooms. Most of the people staying there were students working for the DNC.

There was a welcoming reception for delegates and alternates aboard a boat, and then a follow up reception for guests at a law firm with officers at Boston Harbor. It was my chance to meet up with leaders and activists in the GLBT community for many years. I then walked over to the Children’s Museum where both the DC and Delaware delegations were having receptions. Having lived in DC for over 30 years, I used the opportunity to introduce members of one delegation to the other. The DC people wanted to talk about the lack of voting rights, and I made the proper connections. I then went with the Delaware delegation to Boston’s City Hall. Having no credentials at all, provided no problem, as I boarded the delegation bus without anyone asking anything. At the plaza by City Hall, a monstrous building, we heard the O’Jays and other groups before Keith Lockhart came on stage, in tight-fitting jeans (but I digress) and led the Boston Pops in a concert which lasted about an hour and a half and included, in addition to patriotic songs, some fun things such as the theme from Cheers, YMCA, and MTA.

Visiting with the Delaware delegation at the Park Plaza, I once again freely entered the Hotel and got into the suite where the delegation had an office. I spent time with Emily Falcon, the first openly gay person ever elected as a delegate from Delaware, and later introduced her to some national figures when we attended the GLBT caucus. As the Delaware delegates were leaving to help out at a homeless shelter, John Kerry’s brother was entering the hotel. We all stopped for photos.

At the first session of the GLBT caucus, where they cut the room in half, following the Latin-American caucus, the room was standing room only. There were 255 identified GLBT delegates present and many others in the room. The second time the caucus met, they converted the room to its full size. A roll call of the States found that 48 of the 50 states (as well as DC, Puerto Rico and Democrats Abroad) had sent delegates, a remarkable achievement. There were seven transgender delegates, as well.

That evening there was a reception at Avalon, a club in the warehouse section, right across the street from Fenway Park. There was a very small protest, with about a dozen people outside the club to protest the cancellation of Margaret Cho’s appearance, but that did not deter the revelers.

The second day of the Democratic Convention I attended a panel discussion held by People for the American Way (PFAW) reminding us how important it was to vote Democratic in 2004. This has been the longest period ever between Supreme Court appointments and with the age and frailties of some of its members, the next President is likely to appoint members. The GLBT community will likely suffer with just one more vote of a Scalia/Thomas type of jurist, as suggested by Bush as his ideal jurist. It was here where Malibu met the Potomac as the host of the panel was Alec Baldwin.

On that same Tuesday, I realized that since I did not have credentials to get into the Fleet Center, nor a TV in the dorm where I was staying, I could go from bar to bar, hotel to hotel and watch TV and catch some of the speeches.

Then, that night, there were several more speakers including Congressman Barney Frank and the actor, Robert Gant of Queer as Folk. It was there that Sparky the Insult Dog, of Late Night with Conan O’Brien showed up and stuck a mic in my mouth. I hope no one sees the interview.

Wednesday’s GLBT caucus was definitely more Hollywood than Washington. While James Carville and Donna Brazille (who I have known for 20 years) were busy signing books outside, our caucus met again, this time in a full room where about 500 people attended. Among the speakers were Rob Reiner, Ben Affleck, Robert Gant, and Steve Buscemi of the Sopranos.

Teresa Heinz showed up with two of her sons and declared she wanted us to consider her a mother. I thought it inappropriate to call her "Mother Teresa," thank God she settled on Mama T.

Our own lesbian member of Congress, Tammy Baldwin, also addressed the caucus. Emily Falcon was particularly thrilled to meet Tammy, I was stunned at how many cameras focused on me.

Four years ago, and four years before that, the caucuses were brief, disorganized, and it was difficult to find speakers. So much has changed as people were fighting to get in to talk with us. This year I left the Convention feeling that our Party was organized, our cause just, and our community well accepted.