04-04-2008, 02:30 PM
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DNC lawsuit reveals black vs. gay rivalry
"Straight" from a gay publication...
DNC lawsuit reveals black vs. gay rivalry
Quote:
A gay man’s lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee has revealed allegations of bitter, behind-the-scenes disputes that appear to pit black DNC officials against gays.
In a fiery e-mail exchange obtained this week by the Blade, a senior official with the gay partisan group National Stonewall Democrats denounces a top DNC staffer, Leah Daughtry, for allegedly inciting anti-gay prejudice.
“Imagine what [DNC Chair Howard] Dean could do if people like Leah were confronted for their bigotry and fired,” writes the Stonewall Democrats official. The author’s name is redacted on the e-mails obtained by the Blade. The e-mails were sent in 2006.
Referring to Daughtry, the official says, “I think Samuel L. Jackson said it best when he said ‘I’m sick of these mother fuckin’ snakes on this mother fuckin’ plane.’ It may be time to drive the snakes from the DNC.”
The Stonewall Democrats group works closely with the DNC.
Dean responded to the comments in a written statement sent Wednesday to the Blade.
“Anyone who truly knows Leah and her values appreciates her deep commitment to fighting for fairness and equality for everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, and any insinuation otherwise is irresponsible and despicable,” he said.
“The DNC has consistently refrained from commenting on ongoing litigation out of respect for the legal process and to protect the interests of everyone involved. It is disappointing that the plaintiffs are using dishonest smear tactics in order to try their case outside the courtroom.”
John Marble, a Stonewall Democrats spokesperson, declined to comment on the messages.
Daughtry, who is black, is a longtime party operative, Dean’s chief of staff and overseeing the party’s upcoming national convention in Denver. She was unavailable for an interview this week, but a gay coworker defended her performance at the DNC.
“I do not consider her in any way, shape or form homophobic,” said Philip McNamara, the DNC’s director of party affairs. “She is a good, caring person.”
Daughtry was deposed last week in a lawsuit filed by former DNC gay outreach director Donald Hitchcock, who was fired shortly after his domestic partner, Paul Yandura, criticized Dean in a 2006 letter to gay Democrats.
The lawsuit alleges Hitchcock was discriminated against and treated differently at the DNC because he is gay. It also alleges the DNC “threatened, interfered with and retaliated against” Hitchcock because he advocated for gay issues...
...Documents in Hitchcock’s lawsuit reveal another incident in which blacks and gays apparently clashed.
Yandura’s open letter to gay Democrats in 2006 came shortly after reports surfaced that some members of the DNC Black Caucus opposed a proposal by gay DNC member Garry Shay of California to add gays to the party’s affirmative action guidelines for selecting delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
According to documents obtained by the Blade, Daughtry allegedly led a vigorous effort to thwart the plan.
In transcripts of Bond’s deposition, Hitchcock’s attorney asks, “Do you recall ever calling up Mr. Yandura in July of 2006 to talk to him about a senior staff meeting in which, in your words, Leah Daughtry was stirring up black constituents and caucus members against gays?”
Bond replies, “No.”
Hitchcock’s lawyer later asks, “Do you recall a conversation in which you told [Yandura] that [Daughtry] was stirring up black constituencies to oppose language for mandatory guidelines in the delegate selection?”
Bond responds, “No, I did not.”
Hitchcock’s lawyer then asks, “Did you ask him to reach out to … the executive director of the NAACP, to tell him that Leah Daughtry was using him and his organization against the gay community?”
Bond replies, “I don’t recall that.”
The attorney for Hitchcock then presents Bond with a series of e-mails on the topic. In one message bearing the subject “NAACP,” Yandura tells Minyon Moore, a longtime Democratic operative, he needs help.
“Unfortunately, I have heard again from several sources that it is Leah inside the DNC which has decided to make this a black vs. gay issue and not the gay caucus or black caucus leadership. This [is] a big problem and I have reached out to the NAACP leadership and need your help.”
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race fights...gender fights...now sexual orientation fights...
The "all-inclusive" party may not be all black, but they're definitely showing their colors... 
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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd
Last edited by cnredd; 04-04-2008 at 02:33 PM.
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