The hot topic on our OFD Delegates Yahoo Group today has been the draft version of the DNC Platform. Scott Safier from the Steel City Stonewall Democrats said it all:

Transgendered people are not mentioned at all in the draft (or at least, I haven't found the language yet).

Needless to say, this is a great disappointment. This DNC convention will have more out and proud transgender delegates than ever before. Sadly, the trans community and their allies, may be the one group in attendance whose needs are left out of the platform entirely.

It is not enough for the Democratic Party to oppose employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and ignore employment discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

It is not enough for the Democratic Party to say "Lesbian and Gay", and not "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender".

We must stand with our transgender brothers and sisters and assure they are included in the Democratic Party's vision for a Country where everyone is valued and respected, and nobody is left behind.

If you are a delegate: Please join our OFD Delegates List to connect with transgender delegates and their allies.

If you know a delegate: Please make sure they know that you stand in solidarity with the transgender community.

Tell the DNC to Stand up for the Transgender Community: Post your comments here on the DNC Interactive Platform Site