SDSA Membership Minutes

October 15, 2007

SDSA Co-chairs Lynne Armstrong and Roberto Flores called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM at Grady’s Restaurant.

Lynne introduced the guest speaker, Senator Leticia Van de Putte, one of the Co-chairs of the 2008 Democratic Convention.

The senator spoke for about three quarters of an hour and then she took questions from the audience. She spoke about the importance of this election to Democrats and asked us to work for the Democratic candidates. She discussed critical issues such as women’s reproductive rights, right to privacy, freedom of speech and the press, health care and poverty. She provided handouts to the membership that recapped important bills that passed and did not pass this past legislative session.

Ruth Dalrymple, treasurer, reported a balance of $6,617.08. She reported a current membership of 141.

Lynne reported on the sensitivity training that was conducted. She indicated it was very successful and more are scheduled.

Olga Hernandez, Nation Stonewall, gave a report on ENDA. The Congressional leadership, i.e. Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi, did not think they had enough votes to pass ENDA as it was. They thought the bill had a better chance of passing without including transgender people. They proposed a new bill excluding protection for transgender people. National Stonewall and many other organizations refused to support a bill that did not include protection for transgender people. HRC was in agreement with the Congressional leadership.

Ted Switzer made a motion to invite the Governors of HRC to the next SDSA membership meeting to explain their decision. Bryan Gerard seconded the motion and it passed. Lynne indicated that she would contact HRC.

Roberto reported that at the TSDC (Texas State Democratic Caucus) meeting new by-laws were adopted and Shannon Bailey retains his position as Chair of that organization.

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Cris Ramirez,

Secretary