Stonewall DFL to Screen Large Number of Candidates

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender voters in Minnesota are positioned to influence the outcome of the 2008 elections, as this weekend's Stonewall DFL candidate screenings will show unprecedented turnout by candidates. A shift of GLBT voters to the suburbs and growing acceptance in those areas are part of the new dynamic this year.

Minnesota's Stonewall DFL will hold endorsement screenings for candidates for federal office this weekend and the slate is larger and more geographically diverse than previous years. Candidates for Senate and Congress will appear before the screening committee, which will carefully examine each candidate's commitment to issues important to the GLBT community.

The Stonewall DFL -- the party's lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and friends caucus -- is named after the Stonewall Inn riots, which were seen by many as the birth of the GLBT rights movement. The caucus has its roots dating to 1972, when the DFL became the first major political party to support marriage equality.

This year will see major outreach into suburban districts.

"We're excited about the addition of congressional districts three and six to our process this year and we're proud that our caucus, our community, and our voices will be a part of the discussion in these two competitive, suburban seats," said Joe Carlile, chair of the Stonewall DFL.

Bob Olson and Elwyn Tinklenberg are seeking Stonewall endorsement in the 6th District. Neither Patty Wetterling nor Tinklenberg sought the endorsement there in 2004. In the 3rd, all three candidates vying for DFL endorsement -- Ashwin Madia, Terri Bonoff and Jim Hovland -- are seeking Stonewall endorsement.

"I am impressed that we are getting all the candidates in both the 3rd and 6th screening," said former Stonewall chair Megan Thomas. "In the past that might not have been the case but my guess is that they are starting to see the GLBT community out in their areas."

Thomas says that GLBT issues are being raised as more people supportive of the community and who live outside the core cities are more vocal. "A former Stonewall chair lives in Elk River with his partner and the 3rd has the whole Reitan family raising the issue so it's not so alien to think of it being a positive pull anymore." Phil, Randi and Jacob Reitan, of Eden Prairie, have become a statewide and national voice for GLBT people and are currently featured in a film, "For the Bible Tells Me So," on the short list for an Academy Award nomination.

In addition to congressional candidates, the screenings will include senatorial candidates Mike Ciresi, Al Franken and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

Thomas said it is big progress seeing candidates from outside the urban core seeking endorsement.

"I am pleased that our caucus has increased both the number of federal candidates screening, and the geographical diversity of the races involved," said Carlile.

The screenings for Stonewall DFL are open to the public and will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.