Stonewall democrats new york

For decades, the activism she dedicated her life to helped create, shape and make possible the lives and freedoms we all as LGBTQ Americans. We all stand tall, and proud, on the shoulders of giants like Madeline, and will forever be grateful for her historic accomplishments and the lives she has made possible for us all. We continue the work in her memory, this Pride and always. In the late s, Bruce moved to Buffalo and became a part of our family.

During his career at the NYS Crime Victims Board, and his lifetime spent as an advocate of equality and justice for all communities, especially the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, Bruce never gave up the fight.

With every meeting attended, lobby visit made and heart changed, Bruce helped bring about the monumental progress the LGBTQ community has made in the last decades. Bruce never stopped being an advocate for those victims and pressing the issue of their justice. She introduced herself, saying that she was 57 years old before she fell in love and realized that she was a lesbian.

Although she had been a strong activist from early in life, when she found that she was now a member of a new community, she brought all her activist skills and passion to this new issue.

Most of us know about her dedication to education, and she used that talent to its fullest, meeting with students of all ages to help spread the message of inclusion and full acceptance of the LGBTQ community. More important, my recollection is of her exquisite ability to listen, to understand the persons who had come to her with problems or questions about their own sexuality.

She was always available to listen and suggest. I believe that was her greatest gift to Buffalo and the world beyond. She also carried her passion for equality and social justice to organizations that promoted our community, as speaker and board member. She and her wife, Camille Cox, could always be found at their fundraisers. Babs was not in the early movement for equality, but when she became aware of the movement, her reaction was swift and unique.

She was more of a quiet mover and shaker, but that did not diminish her power to create change, and she did so with grace and good humor. This is from one person who came to admire Babs for her wisdom, strength, and genuine interest in everyone she met. An essential part of Spectrum Transgender Group and board member of the Pride Center of Western New York, Patti supported our community in every way she could with a dignified grace that was all her own.

Rodney began his career in journalism in high school, working at the local radio station, WGGO, where he had his own talk show on Sunday afternoons. Rodney later moved to print journalism and began his work at the Salamanca Press, where he became City Editor, a position he held for several years.

Around this time, Rodney found his activist voice in the gay liberation movement of the early s joining Buffalo's Gay Professionals group and the Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier. He became the publisher of the Fifth Freedom, Mattachine's tabloid newspaper, and later the president of Mattachine. Over the past eight years of his life, he was instrumental in laying the groundwork and guiding the Silver Pride Project in collaboration with the Pride Center of WNY.

He was also appointed to serve on the Erie County Senior Services advisory board. An injustice to one is an injustice to all, and by repealing this law, this brings us one step closer to being equal citizens of NYS.

I am also equally proud that the Buffalo Common Council coalesced in support around our local trans community right here in the City of Buffalo. I stand in solidarity with transgender New Yorkers in repealing this regressive law. Getting this bill over the finish line is in sight, and I thank the countless advocates and organizations who have worked so hard to make this day a reality. There are numerous reported cases of individuals who were arrested simply because of how they dressed or how they looked.

Because of these well documented abuses, there is widespread support for repeal of this provision, including support from the District Attorneys association. This discriminatory law is nothing more than an excuse to profile and stop transgender New Yorkers, or people who are perceived to be trans, and presume they are attempting to engage in prostitution.

In this state and in this country, we should fight against any law that would stop people and accuse them of a crime due to how they look or who they are. This law has historically victimized especially women and transgender New Yorkers, and this action we have taken today will protect the civil liberties of all and prevents New Yorkers from being accused of crimes they did not commit.

The repeal of this law strengthens that by preventing what was legalized profiling. Any method of governing that leads to the disproportionate treatment of marginalized communities cannot continue. Dear Stonewall Democrats and Allies, Early voting begins today! We all know, all too well, that this is the most important election our country has ever seen. With this election, we have to keep doing all we can to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and end Donald Trump and the Republicans deadly, negligent and bigoted reign of terror.

Whether that is phone banking, doing safe lit drops or raising awareness about the most important election of our lifetimes wherever you can-- we thank you. We here at Stonewall hope you and your family are well. These times we are living in have been and continue to be the most trying and tragic. Any employee or agent of the Club may be removed with or without cause by a vote of the majority of Board Members present at a Board meeting where there is a quorum.

The Board shall strive to ensure appropriate representation in the officers of the Club, including gender, ethnic and racial parity. Board Members shall maintain the confidentiality of such lists and use them only for activities authorized by the Board. Violation of the aforementioned shall be cause for immediate Board membership suspension, pending dismissal. These minutes shall be available to all Members at the next regularly scheduled Membership meeting.

Each officer shall be elected by the Board and from the Executive Board in an open meeting. The regular term of each elective office shall be one year commencing with the first Board meeting following the Annual Meeting. If the office of the President shall become vacant during the regular term, the Executive Vice- President shall assume the role of President for the remainder of the term, with the consent of the Board at a special meeting called at the time of vacancy.

If the Board chooses, it may select one of the Vice-Presidents to be President for the remainder of the term instead of the Executive Vice-President. If there shall be a vacancy in any other elective office during the regular term of that office, it shall be filled by the Board for the remainder of the term.

Removal of Officers shall be done by the same procedure as removal of Members in Art. Unless it is done at the same time, removal as an Officer does not revoke Board Membership or membership in the Club.

No present candidate for elected office not including unpaid or party position such as District Leader, State Committee Member, or Judicial Delegate may be elected an officer of the Club. Any Club officer who declares a run for office must immediately take a leave of absence until the end of their campaign. The Board shall appoint an interim replacement until such time. If any officer is elected to office not including unpaid or party position such as District Leader, State Committee Member, or Judicial Delegate they must resign as an officer.

Any officers leaving a position shall make themselves available to their successor and assist in ensuring a smooth transition. All Club business checks must be endorsed by two authorized signers; for any electronic funds transfers that do not require signatures to be sent, transfers must be noticed to at least two authorized signers.

No individual shall be authorized to endorse checks alone. The President, subject to the approval of the Board or the Board on its own, may create ad hoc or standing committees as deemed necessary. Chairpersons of all committees shall be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Board. Committees shall only have the powers specifically designated to them by the Board. Club Members in good standing may serve on Committees.

There may be additional standing committees consisting of the membership, audit, campaign, policy, filling of vacancies on the Board, amendment, repeal or addition of by-laws, resolutions, and other committees as from time-to-time shall be deemed necessary. General Membership a. There shall be an Annual Meeting held during the month of January, at which regular elections shall be held for members of the Board.

Meetings of the general membership may be called at any time by the President, a majority of the Board, or upon written request by 30 members in good standing. There shall be at least nine meetings of the general membership, including the Annual Meeting, throughout the year. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Board Member who submits a signed waiver of notice whether before of after the meeting, or who attends the meeting with out protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice received.

All questions, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, shall be decided by a majority of those voting. Every Member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote, which must be cast in person and not by proxy.

Board a. There shall be at least nine regularly scheduled meetings of the Board in each calendar year on dates to be determined by the President, with the approval of the Board.

The President may call special meetings of the Board. All meetings for the purpose of transacting business shall be open to the general membership, except when the Board votes to go into executive session. One-half of the Board membership plus one of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All questions, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution shall be decided by a majority of those voting.

Every member of the Board shall be entitled to one vote, which must be cast in person and not by proxy. Endorsement of candidates for public or party office shall be made by the Regular membership at any membership meeting on the agenda of which the Board shall have determined to include such endorsement. Recommendations for endorsement for all elective positions may be made by the Board.

The Board may present its recommendations to the regular membership prior to the election. Nothing shall prevent a Member from nominating an alternate candidate. Endorsements shall be made in accordance with the by-laws of the club.

To become effective, any amendment so proposed must be approved and adopted thereafter by two-thirds of the members present at two meetings of the Club that shall be at least one week apart. The substance of the change to be affected by such proposed amendment or amendments must be included in the notice of each aforesaid consecutive meetings and the notice of the second meeting shall further state that final action will be taken upon amendment or amendments to this constitution.

Said amendment or amendments shall become effective as part of the constitution upon the date of final approval and adoption on such other date as the amendment or amendments shall specify.

Dues a. At every membership meeting the President shall report to the membership on all Board actions taken since the last membership meeting. Executive and At-Large Board Members shall participate in at least one club Pride event annually, as determined by a majority vote of the Board. Executive and At-Large Board Members shall participate in club campaign activities on behalf of endorsed candidates, as determined by a majority vote the Board. Tenured Board Members shall attend at least three Club events per year, which may include regularly scheduled meetings, fundraisers, formally sponsored campaign or parties.

Exceptions may be made with good cause. Tenured Board Members shall make every effort to attend Board meetings when possible and otherwise remain engaged in the activities of the club. A secret ballot may used for candidate endorsements at the request of any Member eligible to vote.

The ballot will take place after the Board has made its endorsement recommendations, if any, to the membership. In order to withdraw the endorsement, an emergency meeting of the Club must be held with at least 48 hours of notice by electronic mail. At said emergency meeting, an endorsement may be withdrawn upon a two thirds vote of a quorum of the membership. If a quorum is not present, the Board may withdraw the endorsement by a two thirds vote. Members shall rank the candidates in their order of preference.

If no candidate receives a majority of the first choice votes, the candidate with the least total of first choice votes shall be eliminated. The second choice votes from these ballots shall then be transferred to the other candidates. The ballots shall be recounted and candidates eliminated in this fashion until a winner emerges with a majority of the vote.

If requested, the Club shall provide an opportunity for individuals to address those in attendance at the Club Meeting in which endorsements will be considered, provided the considered candidates are not present during these remarks. Any officer may object to a proposed PAC expenditure within the 24 hour window, triggering a mandatory vote by all officers. To move forward, the expenditure must be approved by the majority of Officers 4 of the 6 officers. Board Members are expected to adhere to the following guidelines for conduct.

All Board Members must behave in an ethical manner and be of a character that is consistent with upholding the good reputation of the Club; this includes demonstrating an acceptable degree of professionalism, courtesy, and respect toward fellow Board Members. No Board Member shall intentionally bring public embarrassment or ill repute upon the Club, its Officers, and the Board.

Purpose A. Press A. Press Inquiries 1. All inquiries from the press should be directed immediately to the President. If a member of the press asks for a comment or information regarding Club business, Board Members are to state that they cannot speak for the Club and give contact information for the President. Under limited circumstances, the President may, at their discretion, delegate Officers or Board Members to speak on behalf of the Club.

The authorization must be specific and limited in scope to a particular topic or issue and should be for a limited duration. When acting as individuals, Board Members shall not identify themselves to the press as members of the Club. If a Board Member acting as an individual knows that a member of the press has knowledge that they are a Board Member of the Club, the Board Member has a duty to state that they are speaking as an individual and specifically request that they not be identified as a Club member.

Board Members should go out of their way to avoid the appearance of acting on behalf of the Club, when they are not. Internal Communications A.

Generally 1. Board Members should especially use their discretion regarding sensitive or private matters. Whenever practicable, phone calls or face-to-face meetings should be used, rather than email. Email 1. All email between Board Members regarding Club business is deemed confidential.

Board Members should use their discretion regarding whether to send emails to the entire Board, to selected officers, or just to the President. External Communications A. Communications to the Membership and Non-Members 1. All Club advertisements, email, letters, postcards, invitations, palm-cards, fliers and other communications to the membership dues paying and other people on our mailing lists or non-members must be approved by the President or the Board.

Secretary shall also be consulted on all such communications whenever practicable. Confidential Board business and information may not be disclosed to regular members, or non-club members without Full Board or Presidential approval.

Communications to Elected Officials and Campaigns. All Club emails, letters, postcards, invitations, palm-cards, fliers, and other communications to campaigns, elected officials, or staff members of elected officials must be approved by the President or the Board. When communicating with elected officials, staff members of elected officials, or working with a campaign for an endorsed or unendorsed candidate, Board Members may not disclose confidential information regarding Club business to campaign staffers or candidates without proper Board or Presidential approval.

Endorsement Vote Totals and Results 1. Endorsement vote totals, including percentages and instant runoff voting round winners, are confidential Club business and are only to be disclosed to non-Board Members by the President or with Presidential or Board approval.

Only the President or their designees shall inform candidates regarding endorsement results. Violations A. Violations to this policy are to be Agenda items at the following Board Meeting for discussion of appropriate measures to be taken pursuant to the constitution and the Board Code of Conduct.

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