Another Step Forward in Arizona! TGs Reappointed to the DNC

Laura Calvo

With little fanfare in late August 2013 at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) summer meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, newly elected member Laura Calvo, a trans woman from Oregon, was unanimously elected Vice-Chair of the LGBT Americans Caucus. I was reappointed to the DNC by Chair Debbie Wasserman Shultz and was re-elected by our Eastern Regional Caucus to the DNC Executive Committee. 2 for 2 and no drama!

Jane Fee

In 2000 when Jane Fee of Minnesota became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention (DNCC), many thought she became the first out transgender delegate of a major national political party…. Well, not quite…. Actually, the first trans delegate to a national political party was Karen Kerin who was a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston. How times and political parties have changed!

In 2004 I was part of the very first group of transgender delegates to the DNC Convention in Boston. We had 6 women who were Delegates, Alternates or Committee Members. Kathleen Padilla from Pennsylvania, Melissa Sklarz from New York , Monica Helms from Georgia, Christine Ocasio and Vanessa Edwards Foster (both of Texas) and me, Barbra Casbar Siperstein from New Jersey. For the record I had not yet legally changed my name and was known as Barbra Casbar.

For a group of us to be part of the convention and the election process was a breakthrough and very exciting, but it was also disappointing as we could not get language to reflect our inclusion of a gay employment non-discrimination plank in the DNC Party Platform. My guess is that it seemed too controversial for the campaign at that time! However, we were able to begin a public dialogue aimed at the addition of “gender identity” language which became a fight for another day. Unfortunately, the Democrats lost the big fight that year and we endured another 4 years of Bush and the related consequences that followed.

I think that my exposure and engagement at the Convention as a delegate plus my activism on the campaign is what gave me the opportunity in early 2005 to speak at a LGBT Election post mortem at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in Washington DC. I was honest and blunt and that summer I was invited to join the Board of National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) at their summer convention in San Diego. When NSD decided to create a vehicle to engage and work with the DNC more closely, I jumped at the chance to join their newly formed DNC Relations committee. In 2006, as the city was just beginning to come alive and start functioning after Hurricane Katrina, I joined a small group representing NSD that traveled to the DNC meeting in New Orleans. All official DNC meetings and caucus meetings are open to the public.

I was excited as we walked into what was described as the GLBT Caucus, but right outside the door to the caucus room was a sign that said “Gay & Lesbian Caucus.” I stared at that sign and silently fumed. Then I walked in, said my hello to members and visitors I knew and a took a seat with NSD friends in the visitor section. As the meeting began we faced the DNC Caucus members who were seated at a U shaped table. Among the guests in the room were several DNC members who were strong allies of LGBT Americans including two of the Vice-Chairs, Congressman Mike Honda of California and Susie Turnbull of Maryland.

One of the primary reasons for our trip to the meeting and engagement with the DNC “GLBT Caucus” was a new rule that Garry Shay, an out gay man and DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee member from California had proposed, that would add LGBT people to the diversity goals that the DNC recommends to the states as they decide how to select their representatives on the DNC.

When Shay brought up his proposed rule and I heard and read the actual language — I was shocked! It read “gay and lesbian” only. Okay, I was not shocked, even though the informal “talk” about it was LGBT, the language just like the sign on the door was NOT transgender inclusive. I was very angry, disappointed and ready to boil!

Rick Stafford was the new Chair of the DNC “Gay and Lesbian” Caucus. He was a friend, a fellow NSD Board member and as Chair of the Minnesota Democratic Party was a long time supporter of transgender rights and was instrumental in Minnesota being the very first state to have a state wide trans non-discrimination law.

At the first opportunity, I raised my hand to speak. Normally guests are not allowed to speak unless the chair calls on them to do so. Rick recognized me and even though I was shaking inside, in a firm and measured manner, I managed to ask the Caucus, if I as an out trans person was welcome at their gay and lesbian caucus. I read the sign as I walked in. I had come here to support the proposed new rule which was discussed as an LGBT rule, but clearly was not. I asked if this was the same kind of mixed messaging that we got from the Kerry campaign that led to the re-election of Dubya Bush? I wanted to know whether I was welcome or not!

Babs Casbar Siperstein

The response from the majority of the members was very positive. A few were silent and the only comment from the rule’s author was an indication that he was well intended and that the “straight” membership of the DNC would not buy it. I addressed that phony fear with facts of positive experience and the demonstrated reaction of the “straight” allies in the room.

The language was changed to inclusive language in time for the 2008 convention and Convention Platform. I continued to show up at DNC meetings, was able to personally engage many other leaders in the party, including the Chair of the Rules and By-Laws Committee, and to set the stage for more inclusive changes.

In 2009, I was appointed by Chairman Tim Kaine as the first openly trans member of the DNC, but more importantly, just prior to my confirmation vote, the DNC added “gender identity” to it Charter and By-Laws not only as a category of non discrimination, but also for inclusion in all Party affairs!

I’ve often quoted Woody Allen who stated that 80% of success in life is just by showing up! I was there, I had the opportunity to speak, to frame constructively my point in front of people who “got it” and eventually got those who were in a position to make the change … do it!

Aside from helping myself, I was also able to eventually put myself in a position that enabled me to empower others and hopefully, to create a positive legacy for trangender people.

Tags: Democratic Party, DNC, featured, politics, Transgender

Category: Transgender Opinion, Transgender Politics