Former Employee Sues Democratic National Committee For Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Defamation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Donald Hitchcock, former employee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), filed a lawsuit charging the DNC with violating his rights as an openly gay man, and Governor Howard Dean, DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias and DNC Deputy Finance Director Julie Tagen with defamation.

“As a lifelong, loyal Democrat I am filing this complaint against the DNC because the road to social justice sometimes demands that our political family and friends be held accountable when they do not act for the common good.”

Attorney Lynne Bernabei of the civil rights firm Bernabei & Wachtel, PLLC stated, "Mr. Hitchcock was an outstanding employee for the DNC. Unfortunately, because of his sexual orientation, he was relegated to second class status within the DNC, silenced when he raised Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community grievances internally, denied access to DNC resources and participation in DNC politics and ultimately fired after his partner voiced political criticisms of the DNC. After Mr. Hitchcock was terminated the DNC tried to silence him by knowingly making false statements about his character and performance.”

LGBT groups have criticized the DNC for failing to recognize and promote the human rights of LGBT Democrats. Among other things, they have charged that the DNC has been more concerned with keeping LGBT money flowing into DNC coffers than treating Democratic LGBT employees and constituents with the same respect given to other constituents. The DNC now has fewer openly gay and lesbian members than before the 2004 election.