News
2006-07-11
Stonewall
Democrats tap woman as next leader
The National
Stonewall Democrats have tapped Jo Wyrick to serve as
executive director of the organization, making her the first
The National
Stonewall Democrats have tapped Jo Wyrick to serve as
executive director of the organization, making her the first
woman to lead the national organization for LGBT
Democrats.
Wyrick has led
the Stonewall Democrats as interim executive director
since Eric Stern resigned in March. She had previously
served the group as deputy director.
On the
organization's Web site, Wyrick laid out her plan in growth
involving LGBT populations not associated with
traditional Democratic strongholds.
"There are few
national organizations willing to place serious
resources in states like South Carolina and South Dakota,"
Wyrick said. "However, we are finding partners within
Democratic and LGBT groups who understand that a
long-range vision of equality must include a
substantial investment within these communities. Winning
political victories a decade from now means seeding
new efforts today."
"The electoral
success of our local chapters now allows our national
organization to press Democratic leaders to further support
our families through proactive policy," said Wyrick.
"National Stonewall Democrats is the vehicle for our
community to continue to improve the record of the
Democratic Party on LGBT issues while helping our allies
win elected office."
The Washington,
D.C.-based group has 90 chapters nationwide. It lately
has called for legislation in New York State to legalize
same-sex marriage in the wake of last week's adverse
high court decision there and to eliminate the "gay
panic" defense in criminal assault cases.
Before joining
the National Stonewall Democrats, Wyrick served as
executive director of Equality North Carolina and as a
senior field organizer with the Human Rights Campaign.
Wyrick lives in
Germantown, Md., with her partner, Amy, and their
daughter, Elizabeth. (Christopher Curtis, PlanetOut)
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