National
Stonewall Democrats create caucus for African-Americans

National Stonewall Democrats officials said Thursday that the group has created a caucus to increase the participation of LGBT African-American Democrats and shape public policy in support of gay equality. "The Republican Party is using social scare tactics to exploit the black community at the expense of black LGBT Americans," said Jasmyne Cannick, cochair of the Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus. "The Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus will help refocus political discussion on real issues impacting the black community while pressing the Democratic Party and LGBT community to address specific concerns of black LGBT Americans." The caucus will promote legislation with a specific focus on black LGBT communities, increase the number of active black LGBT Democrats within Stonewall and its chapters, provide National Stonewall Democrats with information on legislative issues as they relate to black communities, provide political influence with black elected officials on behalf of Stonewall members, and foster relationships between black LGBT citizens and black civil rights organizations. The Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus will be cochaired by Cannick and Ramone Gardenhire. (Advocate.com)