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EqSD Successful in Plank & Resolution Adoption at SD Dem Convention

Thursday, 17 July 2008 18:09

The SD Democratic Party adopted as part of its platform a plank that calls for the addition of sexual orientation & gender identity as protected classes under state employment and housing discrimination laws.  Equality South Dakota introduced the adoption of this plank which was unanimously approved by the Party's Human Rights Sub-Committee and then unanimously adopted by the convention as a whole.   It needs to be noted that one of the co-chairs of the Human Rights Sub-Committee was Todd Epp who is chair of Equality SD Political Action Committee.  Equality SD board members Lawrence Novotny of Brookings and Curtis Price of Rapid City were members of the Human Rights Sub-Committee which consisted of 10 members.

Equality SD members introduced a resolution that calls for South Dakota's Congressional Delegation to pass an inclusive federal ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act).  The resolution was unanimously approved by the Human Rights Sub-Committee, then approved by the Resolutions Committee and unanimously adopted by the convention.

The Democratic Party carried forward from 2006 the resolution opposing the addition of any discriminatory language to the State Constitution.  In 2006, Lawrence Novotny was successful in having the Democratic Party approve this resolution as a statement against Amendment C (the marriage amendment) that was on the 2006 ballot.  The Resolutions Committee believed that the discriminatory language resolution is still applicable.

HUMAN RIGHTS PLANK

The South Dakota Democratic Party recognizes that we are a global and multicultural community.  We recognize that each individual brings a special gift to the community.  We believe in the principles of dignity, self-determination, justice and a decent quality of life.  In order to promote a more civil society, we support the following:

[There is a listing of 14 planks.  Only two of them are reprinted here.]

6.  Treat HIV/AIDS and all STI's (sexually transmitted infections) as health issues and not as legal issues.

13.  The South Dakota Democratic Party believes in the dignity and human rights of all of its citizens.  Therefore, the SDDP supports the addition of age, sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under state employment and housing discrimination laws, namely SDCL 20-30-10 and 20-30-20.

WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION RESOLUTION (L)

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Democratic Party believes that workplace discrimination is wrong.  It further believes that such discrimination is harmful to individuals, to businesses, to the economy, and to the country;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Dakota Democratic Party urges South Dakota's Congressional delegation to support passage of an inclusive federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to provide legal protections to all citizens, including lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender Americans who work to support their families and conmmunities.

RESOLUTION (T) DISCRIMINATORY LANGUAGE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party is opposed to adding any discriminatory language to the State Constitution.