The Democratic National Convention will feature the highest number of gays in history, drawn by party’s support for the LGBTQ community and a big list of gay-themed events at the Philadelphia confab set to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton as the nation’s first female presidential nominee.
Some 600 of the 4,765 delegates to the convention are gay, or well more than 1 in 10, breaking the 2012 record of 550.
“LGBT political power is stronger and more visible than ever – with an unprecedented number of LGBT candidates this election cycle, and a robust presence of LGBT elected officials at the Democratic National Convention,” said the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.
That group said that having solid numbers of gay politicians and lawmakers helps to influence and change the approach to their issues by straight politicians and lawmakers. In fact, during the convention in the City of Brotherly Love next week, the group said it would release research “showing straight lawmakers who vote on pro-LGBT legislation are heavily influenced by their LGBT lawmaker colleagues. The research demonstrates the importance of LGBT representation in advancing equality.”
The Visit Philadelphia website celebrated the gay focus.
“July 2016 is shaping up to be a monumental month for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents and visitors in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Philly kicks off the month by loving freedom during the weeklong Independence Day celebration Wawa Welcome America. Next comes qFLIX, a festival of groundbreaking homegrown and international films. And later in the month, the Democratic National Convention (DNC), welcomes the largest-ever group of LGBT convention delegates to Philadelphia, which coincides with dedication ceremonies for two historical markers honoring LGBT pioneers and Equality Forum, the nation’s oldest LGBT rights summit,” it said.
Republicans have long struggled with the gay vote, that is overwhelmingly Democratic. In his GOP acceptance speech Thursday, Republican nominee Donald Trump reached out to the LGBTQ community twice, and noted that the party didn’t shout him down.
In Philly, there will be several events focused on the community. From the city’s official Visit Philadelphia site:
— The 2016 Democratic National Convention expects record numbers of proud LGBT delegates. How much of a record? Predictions are well in excess of the 550 openly LGBT delegates who attended the 2012 DNC. July 25-28.
— Equality Forum, the nation’s oldest LGBT rights summit, supplements the Democratic National Convention with offsite panels on law, politics and the future of the movement. Forum founder Malcolm Lazin has planned discussions with state representatives, journalists, humanitarians and other newsmakers to focus on state and federal workplace equal protection and transgender equality. July 25-28. National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East.
— The finale to Equality Forum, the LGBT Champion Awards Ceremony recognizes activists and allies of the LGBT civil rights movement. Two awards include the 21st annual International Role Model Award, the nation’s longest-standing honor to activists and straight allies who have advanced LGBT civil rights, will go to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. (Previous honorees include Gavin Newsom, Edie Windsor and Barney Frank.) Next is the Frank Kameny Award, named after the co-founder of the Annual Reminders and leader in the fight to end the federal government’s prohibition on employing gays and lesbians. This award will go to Ed Rendell, former Pennsylvania governor and Philadelphia mayor, and chair of the Philadelphia Host Committee. July 28, 4:30-6 p.m. National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
