LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Liberty Fund Takes Action |
by Kelli Steele |
Proactive not reactive is how one member describes the Delaware Liberty Fund. All across America, gay men and lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons are working harder than ever to secure human rights. The Delaware Liberty Fund was formed in 1999 to mobilize and educate the GLBT voters, to elect state and local candidates who support our community, to promote legislation that is important to the GLBT community in Delaware, and to provide a forum to meet candidates and discuss our concerns. Approximately 50 people gathered for an informational cocktail party hosted by the DLF on Saturday, June 10th at the Harbeson farm of Phil Cross and Preston Watkins. "We want to introduce us (DLF) to everyone, hand out brochures, hopefully get it in the press and make people aware that we exist," said Cross, a DLF Steering Committee member. "As far as I know, we've never done a political action committee at this level in the state of Delaware." Cross explained that a previous PAC, Eleanor's Voice, was started a few years ago in reaction to the legislature's passage of the Defense of Marriage Act. "For one reason or another it never became anything...people were busy and they just couldn't keep up with things," Cross said. Keeping up with things and getting support doesn't seem to be a problem for DLF. Everyone who attended the cocktail party seemed to either already be involved in the DLF or eager to find out how they could become involved. Cross pointed out that, "The Delaware Liberty Fund was formed to be proactive and not reactive. There's currently so much going on in the legislature and with the gay and lesbian community, it's time to get started." The Delaware Liberty Fund will survey candidates for state and local public office on the issues which we are concerned about, endorse those candidates who will publicly support us, publish the results of candidate surveys in the form of a voter guide and make financial contributions to the campaigns of endorsed candidates. Lisa Oursler is the president of DLF. "We've already spoken to the campaign managers for gubernatorial candidates Ruth Ann Minner, William Swain Lee and John Burris," she said. "The feed-back has been very positive and encouraging." "DLF will conduct a survey this summer and we're going to send it out to as many legislators as possible to gain a sense of where they are on gay and lesbian issues such as non discrimination in employment, housing, insurance, legalizing gay unions and adoptions, and outreach for gay students in schools." Oursler said. "If one of the candidates for governor is the 'right' candidate, then great. If not, the Delaware Liberty Fund will throw its support somewhere else." The DLF's primary goal for August and September is to raise funds to support favorable candidates. According to Oursler, "It is our intention to raise at least $15,000 this year to contribute to campaigns throughout Delaware." Membership in the DLF is $100 or more per year. Members receive the DLF Voter Guide, invitations to forums, events and parties, periodic updates on issues of importance to Delaware's GLBT community, an invitation to attend monthly Steering Committee meetings and the annual meeting, at which time members will elect the Steering Committee. For information, call 302-633-6635. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 7, June 16, 2000. |