We do have a chance to make some interesting history here (there) in
Minneapolis.
I would like to point out though that, like DFL proper, the Stonewall DFL
uses a whole set of criteria. It has been a point for hot discussion in the
past but in the past and this year we have endorsed straight people over gay
candidates.
Scott, Dean, Gary and Doug are all amazing examples of the talent found in
the GLBT community. Doug's work with homeless youth is something that will
be of great value to the city council. As well as Gary's expertise in urban
developments, Scott's year's of work in his neighborhood and the NRP and
Dean's knowledge of issues like TIF funding and neighborhood development.
Think of the talent lost to the City and so on in the past due to
homophobia!
Megan Thomas
St. Paul Interloper
> From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2001 12:11:27 -0600
> To: "Mpls list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: RE: [Mpls] Benson endorsed by 11th Ward DFL
>
> Megan, justifiably, boasts:
>
>> And may I point out that this brings the Stonewall DFL to a 4 for 4 record
>> to date. So far, all Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates have won DFL
>> endorsement easily!
>
> There is a great story developing here:
>
> In its history, Minneapolis has had only one gay person on its city council,
> Brian Coyle (and it is quite shocking to realize the 10th anniversary of his
> death is this summer). After this election, it is quite plausible that there
> will be four gay men on the council, all of whom would have to be considered
> favorites right now: DFL endorsees Gary Schiff (9th) and Scott Benson
> (11th), plus Dean Kallenbach in the 6th and Doug Kress in the 10th.
> (Disclaimer: No insult is meant to other candidates, especially in the 6th
> and 10th - obviously, there are still races to be run, and in some cases,
> endorsement fights to fight. But Dean has a lot of the DFL insiders behind
> him and Doug is the only candidate willing to abide by the very helpful DFL
> endorsement).
>
> While this is a fascinating sociological development, there's no clear sense
> of what it means policy-wise. And that's a sign of political maturity, I
> think. The candidates clearly aren't running on a "gay agenda," at least
> based on what I've seen. (Perhaps Stonewall has different ideas.) They are
> individuals with an interesting demographic tie - sorta like when the City
> Council became majority female some years back. In hindsight, I'm not sure
> the women did business differently from the men, and I don't have a clue if
> gays will do political business any differently from the straights.
>
> David Brauer
> King Field - Ward 10
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
> Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
> http://e-democracy.org/mpls
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
