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SD Dems adopt EqSD's Language and Candidate
Sunday, 29 June 2008 09:58
Breaking News: SD Dems add LGBT language to party platform and select gay delegate to attend the National Convention in Denver!!!
Todd Epp writes: The South Dakota Democratic Convention in Oacoma passed without opposition EqSD's plank in the party platform to include age, gender identity and sexual orientation protections to the state's employment and housing laws. It also passed without opposition EqSD's resolution urging our Congressional delegation to pass an inclusive ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act).
I think this is huge and shows not only the hard work of our groups but how attitudes are changing in our state.
Curtis Price, Lawrence Novotny and I served on the Human Rights sub-committee.
Thank you for your input and encouragement on these issues.
Best regards,
Todd Epp
Chair-EqSD PAC and
Board Member-EqSD
Sharon Ludwick-Warner writes: Martin Yeung of Rapid City was just selected Obama At Large Delegate at the South Dakota Democratic Party convention in Oacoma. Martin is also on the Board of Directors of Equality South Dakota PAC.
Martin's selection meets a new provision in the Democratic National Committee's 2008 Rules requiring State Parties to adopt and implement inclusion programs for LGBT Americans and persons with disability to achieve the full participation of these groups in the delegate selection process. Such programs may, as is already the case in a number of states, include setting goals.
Between Martin's selection and the adoption of LGBT language in the SD Democratic Party platform, it has been a great day for equality in South Dakota!
Sharon Ludwick-Warner
Vice-Treasurer EqSD PAC
PFLAG Chapter Launches in Aberdeen
Thursday, 26 June 2008 09:33
Article published Jun 24, 2008 in Aberdeen American News
Alone no more in Aberdeen
Chapter established to help support gays, lesbians, their friends, families2008-06-24 Twenty years ago, when Heidi Houghtaling's sister told her she was a lesbian, Houghtaling said she prayed for God to change her sister. God's answer wasn't what Houghtaling expected. "He didn't change her; he changed me," said Houghtaling, of Aberdeen. "He helped me to be loving and accepting and understand her."
Still, when her daughter Melissa came out as a lesbian 10 years ago, it was not something Houghtaling was fully prepared for. "Our love for her didn't change," Houghtaling said. But she and her husband, Curt, had to readjust the vision they had for their daughter's future. Plus, they feared for her well-being, she said. "What was life going to be like for her?" Houghtaling said she wondered. "What kind of discrimination would she face in the future?" Today, those fears for Melissa Houghtaling, now 28 and an attorney in Minneapolis, are gone. "We couldn't be more proud of her," Heidi Houghtaling said.
California legalizes gay marriage, what it means for South Dakota
Sunday, 22 June 2008 08:46
California legalizes gay marriage, what it means for South Dakota
Posted: June 20, 2008 06:02 PM on KOTA Territory News
Reporting - Lela French
It was a day thousands of gay couples have waited a long time for, California legalizes same sex marriages.
"A lot of my friends were really excited. And I was happy for them, but at the same time it goes against my beliefs," said Lacey Uhre, opposes gay marriage.
"As far as freedom goes, it's their right to be married just like it's my right to be married. I didn't marry him because he's a man. I married him because he's a wonderful person," said Cindy Fleming, supports gay marriage.
But the majority of South Dakota voters don't want the law in their state.
In 2006, by a margin of 52 to 48 percent South Dakota voters passed an amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.
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