GLBT Community Taking Issues to Super Duper Tuesday

For a primer on the caucuses for all Minnesota's political parties, check out my article titled, Super Duper Tuesday in Minnesota: How does it work?.

Also, the GLBT Caucus Training starts tonight, so be sure to check out OutFront Minnesota's website for information.

Minnesota groups are joining a new movement to train people supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues to get involved in the political caucus process.

Over the next several weeks, OutFront Minnesota and the Human Rights Campaign will host a series of trainings throughout the state, marking the first coordinated effort to create a strong voice for GLBT issues at the major political party events. The trainings, called "Our Issues - Our Democracy: GLBT People and Resolutions at Caucus Night" will be held throughout the month of January.

On Feb. 5, Minnesotans will join voters in 24 other states for the Super Duper Tuesday primaries and caucuses.

"To achieve equality for GLBT Minnesotans, it is imperative that supporters of GLBT rights are politically engaged," said Monica Meyer, public policy director for OutFront Minnesota. "The caucuses provide an opportunity for supporters of GLBT equality to help shape the priorities and agenda of the parties by passing issue resolutions, becoming party delegates and endorsing candidates."

The caucus trainings are open to anyone, especially those involved in a political party. "Supporters of GLBT rights can also get involved in the GLBT organizations of the political parties -- the Lavender Greens, Log Cabin Republicans and Stonewall DFL," said Meyer. Those organizations provide the best opportunity to learn about the respective parties and their positions on GLBT issues. "By getting involved in the parties, GLBT and allied people can ensure that the parties promote equality for all Minnesotans," said Meyer.

The Rev. Laurie Crelly, a field organizer for the Human Rights Campaign, said the training is nonpartisan and is open for anyone who wants to learn about the caucus.  "It isn't just for GLBT people, but parts of the training will be focused on those issues." Crelly said the hope is that the training will encourage openly GLBT people to become delegates for their respective parties. The training will also provide instructions on creating resolutions and will even provide pre-formatted resolutions regarding GLBT issues that can be introduced at the caucus. Those resolutions could eventually become part of the party's platforms.

The trainings, held mainly in houses of worship, will be held in Duluth, Anoka, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, St. Peter, and in several locations in the Twin Cities and its suburbs. "A lot of community organizing happens in churches and places of worship," said Crelly. "Many people are moved by their faith to fight for equality and inclusion."

The DFL Party, Republican Party of Minnesota and Independence Party of Minnesota will all hold caucuses on Feb. 5, while the Green Party of Minnesota will hold their on March 4.

To search for a training location or to register for a training, visit www.outfront.org.