Stonewall Municipal Election Guide

Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada strongly asks that our members not only vote, but make sure that all of your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors vote as well.

At the bottom of the page is a link to Early Voting sites throughout the Valley.

“Show Our Strength” at an LGBT Early Voting event that will take place from 11am -1pm Saturday May 21st at Meadows Mall.

Show Our Strength
Meadows Mall (an early vote location!)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
11a-1pm
4300 Meadows Lane
Las Vegas, NV
http://on.fb.me/ShowOurStrength

Please let your friends and networks now that Early Voting will start on May 21st!

DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR OFFICE
2011 MUNICIPAL ELECTION:

BOULDER CITY: No Democratic candidates

HENDERSON CITY COUNCIL WARD 4: SAM BATEMAN

Sam has come to several Stonewall events and asked for our support. He received the endorsement of the club unanimously. He deserves the full support of all Democratic elected officials in his race against someone who is not a Democrat, or good on the issues that matter to Stonewall and its members.

LAS VEGAS MAYOR: CHRIS GIUNCHIGLIANI

Chris G is a longtime friend of the LGBT community. Her leadership has resulted in several historic changes in the way Nevada government treats the LGBT community. Her opponent has never been a friend of the LGBT community and in fact has exhibited a complete lack of knowledge of LGBT issues including her reference to “transvestites” at a recent LAMBDA luncheon. Stonewall has enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed Chris Giunchigliani for Mayor of Las Vegas

CITY COUNCIL WARD 3: BOB COFFIN & ADRIANA MARTINEZ

Stonewall has not endorsed in this race. This has been a particularly nasty contest. In fact, it’s been embarrassing to the Democratic Party to see two Democrats fighting each other so fiercely. Longtime LGBT community leaders such as Bob Forbuss, Senator David Parks have lavishly praised Bob Coffin for his long time commitment to the LGBT community and full equality for all Nevadans. We don’t know Mr. Coffin very well, but, we hope to get to know him better in the future.

Here is an email sent on behalf of Bob Coffin by LGBT leader Bob Forbuss:

Over the years you have called on me several times for advice and help in promoting Stonewall Democrats. It has been my honor to assist you. Now I want you to consider Bob Coffin for City Council.

I have known Bob for over 50 years...yes I am over 60 now! We grew up in the same neighborhood and his brother was my close friend. His human rights record as a Nevada Senator precedes the work on the Domestic Partnership legislation. Repeal of the sodomy statutes, employment discrimination, and work on behalf of women and the helpless, whether young or elderly has always been his focus. Bob supports all the issues on Stonewall's agenda. I am certain that David Parks feels the same way towards Bob.

Your support would be appreciated

Robert Forbuss

Here is an email from a former Stonewall Chairman:

During the initial D party organization to create the Stonewall Caucus, Adriana was the party chair and I asked her personally to introduce a motion from the chair to create the Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus to represent lgbt interests. Governor Dean had sent letters to all party chairs and ed's suggesting that state lgbt caucus's be formed. Though I was in your chair at the time I was not given or informed of Gov Dean's letter. I found out about it at a National Stonewall meeting. The DNC background info about the letter was that Gov Dean had just wiped out all the constituency desks at the DNC, which included the LGBT desk as well. And his decision regarding those desks was intended to send the organizing back to the states. Which is what Nevada Stonewallers were doing asking for support and help to create, what Gov Dean wanted; a statewide lgbt caucus.

Bottom Line, even though she was directed to help create an lgbt caucus: Adriana would not help us whatsoever. When I asked if she would introduce the motion to create - she looked at me kind of funny, shrugged her shoulders to say I can't, and she walked away to do other stuff. Laura Grotz, Northern Stonewall Club President introduced the motion from the floor, there were no objections and the motion to create the Nevada Stonewall Democratic Caucus was passed unanimously with no help from the chair. Politically, there was no way she could stop us from doing what we wanted. I was the party secretary at the time and all hell would have broken loose if she would have tried to deny that motion.

Adriana Martinez is absolutely not qualified for a city council seat. Not just because she is not very smart but because she is not able to make sound independent decisions. Simply put - she's a tool who will easily be told just what to do. And on a personal note - she would be my cc; and that would just suck big time.

Best,

Dan

The following is a statement from Adriana Martinez:

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to respond. I have to admit, I was saddened when I heard these allegations. I took my responsibility as State Party Chair very seriously, furthering our organizing structure by promoting and empowering our clubs and caucuses and reaching out to groups around the state to ensure they had the resources they needed to thrive.

As those of you who participated in the Stonewall Democratic Caucus during the years I was State Chair will remember, I often attended meetings at the Flamingo Library, reminding the group that bickering is counter-productive and encouraging members to unite, seek out additional members, and claim your political power.

When I was a wedding photographer in the early 90s, I was one of the few photographers in a male-dominated profession who was willing photograph civil union ceremonies. At the time, this was frowned upon and too many couples found themselves turned down by the wedding vendor industry. Many times, I found myself organizing the event itself, seeking out the very few progressive clergy members who would to participate in the civil unions.

The reason I tell this story is to illustrate what many of you already know: I support equal rights for every Nevadan. I have always been a strong supporter of LGBT causes and organizations. As I said at the candidate forum co-hosted by the Stonewall Democrats last week, we are all guaranteed equal treatment under the law and equal means equal. Whether in an official capacity, such as my role as State Chair, or simply from the bully pulpit, I have always fought and will continue to fight for everyone to be included and respected.

If members of the Stonewall Democrats are troubled by these charges, as I was, I hope they will take the time to reach out to me directly and discuss this. You can reach me at my campaign office at (702) 624-3833 or on my personal email at LVAdriana@aol.com. I hope you will consider supporting me when you cast your vote for Ward 3 City Council. Thank you.

Adriana

MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE DEPT 2: SONNY BONAVENTURE

The Bonaventura family has been around forever in Nevada politics. Stonewall has no opinion on this race.

MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE DEPTARTMENT 3: HEIDI ALMASE

Heidi Alamase is a Stonewall member and has received the clubs’ full endorsement. She is also a breath of fresh air against a candidate who exemplifies old school Las Vegas (not in a good way). She worked her way from a hard existence and would take her life experiences with her to a seat on the bench thereby assuring Las Vegans that they are appearing before someone who understands the issues of the average person.

MESQUITE CITY COUNCIL: CYNTHIA “CINDI” DELANEY

Stonewall has no opinion on this race

NORTH LAS VEGAS CITY COUNCIL WARD 2: PAMELA GOYNES-BROWN

Pamela is a progressive who deserves to win.

CITY COUNCIL WARD 4: RICHARD CHERCHIO

Mr. Cherchio had never bothered to contact Stonewall until he began his run for office. While he is a Democrat, Mr. Cherchio should be aware that in the future we at Stonewall expect that Mr. Cherchio will reach out to the LBGT community to learn its issues and concerns. We also hope that ALL Democratic politicians from this election going forward will understand that Stonewall will not support you just because there is a “D" behind your name.

MUNI COURT JUDGE DEPT 1: MARSHA KIMBLE-SIMMS

Stonewall has not endorsed in this race, however, Kimble-Sims has reached out to Stonewall and attended several of our events whereas her opponent has not.

Early Voting – Saturday, May 18 – Friday, June 3

Early Vote Sites by city can be found on Clark County's website LINK

Election Day – Tuesday, June 7. Polling Sites are open 7am – 7pm

Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada
@LVStonewallDems
http://on.fb.me/SDCSN
http://sdcsn.blogspot.com/