Stonewall caucus elects new officers, plans for better year

From DallasVoice.com

Texas
Stonewall caucus elects new officers, plans for better year
By John Wright
Jun 12, 2008 - 6:45:47 PM

About 250 people attended the LGBT Democratic group’s gathering last weekend in Austin during the Texas Democratic Convention

Dan Graney

AUSTIN — As they aim to put the yearlong controversy involving outgoing President Shannon Bailey behind them, members of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus say they’re encouraged by what they’re calling a record turnout for their biannual meeting during the state party convention last week.

An estimated 250 people attended the meeting to elect new officers and approve changes to TSDC’s bylaws. TSDC, officially started in 2000, is made up of the national organization’s nine affiliates statewide.

Dan Graney, former co-chairman of Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, was elected president of TSDC and will replace Dallas’ Bailey, who refused to resign despite being arrested on a charge of public lewdness in June 2007.

Erin Moore

“He’s no longer the president, and it’s time to at least let people know we have new leadership in the organization, and we’re moving forward, not backward, and it’s time to heal and move on,” Graney said.

Teresa Herrin

Teresa Herrin, current president of the rapidly growing Stonewall Democrats of Houston, was elected vice president of TSDC. Herrin beat out Erin Moore, vice president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, by a vote of 117-97.

But Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, the largest chapter in the state, retained a strong presence in TSDC leadership, with Al Daniels being re-elected to a fifth two-year term as TSDC treasurer, and Kaye Gooch elected as secretary.

Moore said although she would have enjoyed serving as TSDC vice president, she’s glad to see some geographic diversity in an organization that’s traditionally been dominated by chapters in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

“I’m really glad that other clubs are getting strong enough to put up such a strong candidate and represent other parts of the state,” Moore said. “I’m really glad that Houston has an active club now.”

Graney said at the biannual meeting, he heard from people interested in starting new chapters across the state, from Lubbock to the Rio Grande Valley.

“It’s very, very exciting,” Graney said. “I want to keep this enthusiasm going.”

Graney added that his first priority would be to establish a Web site and improve communication among chapters. Graney said he expects TSDC’s executive board — made up of the four TSDC officers, chapter presidents, chapter vice presidents and national board members — to meet within the next month or so.

“I want to sit down and have everybody give input on what should be our priorities and goals for the short-term and long-term,” Graney said.

Graney said short-term goals are likely to include identifying candidates the statewide group can actively support in November.

The president and vice president of TSDC sit on the State Democratic Executive Committee.

E-mail wright@dallasvoice.com