More gay
delegates to be at 2008 Democratic national convention

At a meeting this weekend in Chicago, the Democratic National Committee adopted new rules that will increase the number of LGBT delegates at the 2008 Democratic national convention.

Every four years the DNC approves a series of rules that guides state parties in drafting delegate selection plans for the national conventions. At the DNC meeting in Chicago, rules were implemented to take action to correct past underrepresentation of gay people among delegates.

The move was heralded by the National Stonewall Democrats, the national organization that lobbies for LGBT causes within the Democratic Party.

"Although these new rules will ultimately increase the number of LGBT delegates in 2008, the rule has broader significance," said Jo Wyrick, NSD's executive director. "These rules will move state parties into deeper partnerships with LGBT Democrats that will last well beyond the 2008 convention." (The Advocate)