Jane Kidd, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, pledged the party would fight back if Republicans try to ban gay adoption in the state. (Photo courtesy electjanekidd.com)
Ga. Democrats lag behind national party on gay issues State chair says she won’t run from ‘pro-gay’ label
The two candidates vying to top the national Democratic ticket, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, support civil unions for gay couples. The last person to top the state Democratic ticket, 2006 gubernatorial nominee Mark Taylor, opposed banning job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
While Democrats at the national level have grown increasingly supportive of gay civil rights issues, the state party has remained largely silent, not even fighting back against the 2004 gay marriage amendment that helped solidify Republican control over state government. But at a pair of fundraisers April 18, Democratic Party of Georgia Chairperson Jane Kidd told gay donors that would change.
The Gay Lesbian Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee hosted an off-the-record fundraiser at the Vaknin Gallery in Midtown, followed by dinner at local attorney Paul Horning’s home. Kidd and openly gay DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias spoke and took questions from the attendees.
The reception at the Vaknin Gallery carried a suggested minimum donation of $50; “hosts” paid $1,000 to attend both the reception and the private dinner.
“It went really well,” Horning said. “We held a small donation event so we could open it up to more people and we had a diverse group and that’s always good to see.”
Harry Harkins attended the fundraisers and donated to the DNC, but said he hasn’t given to the state party.
“There is a distinction between the Democratic National Committee and the Georgia party. I think that the DNC has been much more supportive of the GLBT community than the state party ever has been,” he said.
Kidd agreed with that assessment and told the donors they were working to bridge that gap.
“There is a difference between what may be possible in the nation and what may be possible in the South,” she said. “Our goals would be in line with the national, but we have a very practical and realistic view on how much time it will take.”
While the 2008 Democratic platform will be drafted in August at the national convention in Denver, the 2004 platform included language calling for “full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families.” Georgia’s 2004 Democratic platform made no mention of gay men and lesbians.
The national Democratic platform also decried the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment to ban same-sex marriage, but added that the definition of marriage should be a decision left to the states. In Georgia that meant a constitutional ban on marriage went to voters in 2004 and was approved by nearly 80 percent of voters, even though same-sex marriage was already illegal in the state.
Democrats enjoyed a 35-seat majority in the state House in 2004, but still passed the bill that put the measure on the ballot.
“I don’t think that was a true indication because it was really a Republican ploy to divide Democrats and to get Republicans out to the polls for an issue,” Kidd said in an interview before the fundraiser. “It was more a political ploy than it was a philosophical read of the state of Georgia, I think.”
Gay Georgians criticized the state party for not blocking the measure before it got to the ballot. Kidd said the party was aware of an oncoming Republican tide, and many thought the vote would be a way to appease voters.
Kidd insisted the Democratic Party of Georgia has learned from its mistakes. If, as some pundits speculate, legislators may place a state constitutional amendment on the ballot to ban gay adoption, she vows a stronger fight.
“We’re always concerned about that, and we think that might happen,” Kidd said. “We’re on the lookout for [an adoption ballet initiative] and we would do our best to make sure that never gets out of committee, to make sure that our legislators don’t have to face that kind of intense ideological pressure from both sides.”
Brian Bond, the executive director of the GLLC, told Southern Voice it is important for gay Democrats not to be discouraged by Georgia party’s slower pace on gay rights.
“The old adage of taking your marbles and going home seldom changes anything, and in fact, this often has a negative impact on progress,” Bond said in an email interview. “There are many people within the state party who want to move forward and ensure greater inclusion. The key is being involved, winning committee seats, supporting candidates that share our views, and using every opportunity to educate, reach out on the concerns our community has and build coalitions to achieve common solutions.”
Ken Britt sits on the national board for the Human Rights Campaign. He attended the fundraiser to support the national party, but has also supported the state party and is impressed with Kidd’s outreach.
“Since Jane took over the Georgia Democratic Party, she has been reaching out to the GLBT community,” Britt said. “I feel she is not only amazing and smart … but this is the first time we have had the Democratic Party chairman reach out to GLBT community.”
Kidd won the state party chair in 2007 after serving a term in the state House. She is working to re-brand the party’s image. Part of the re-branding is to cast their candidates in lights that will appeal to rural voters.
“We’re working against the idea that Democrats are what the Republicans have been labeling us the whole time,” Kidd said. “There are a lot of things we have been labeled that simply aren’t true.”
One of the labels Republicans have successfully applied to Democrats is being gay friendly, something Kidd is unwilling to drop to gain more votes.
“We’re not going to walk away from ‘pro-gay.’ I would say that we’re pro-equality. If they criticize us for that I think they’ll be the ones who suffer from popular opinion,” Kidd said.
Harkins said he believes Kidd has altered the state party’s course.
“I haven’t given any money to the state party as yet, I’m not opposed to it, but there is only so much money to go around,” he said. “I think that the state party has changed under the new leadership. She clearly singled out that the state party hasn’t been supportive in the past and that is changing under her leadership.”
Kidd’s plans are encouraging, but some gay donors, like Don George, want more than talk before opening their wallets.
“I want to see some action from the state party before I donate to them. I haven’t in many years,” said George, who attended the fundraisers, where donations went to the national party. “Before I give money I want to see action, and when they act, I will reward.”
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