Celebrating and strengthening DorchesterÕs lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

 

CIVIC ¥ SOCIAL ¥ POLITICAL ¥ CHARITABLE

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                            Contact:      David Breen, 617-461-3168

Wednesday, September 10, 2008                                                    davidjbreen@yahoo.com

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

 

DotOUT endorses State Senator Dianne Wilkerson,

State Reps. Marie St. Fleur and Willie Mae Allen

 

 

Dorchester, MA – DotOUT, DorchesterÕs largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civic organization, announced endorsements in three contested races for Massachusetts legislature seats.  On Monday night, members of DotOUT voted to endorse three incumbents seeking re-election: State Senator Dianne Wilkerson (2 nd Suffolk) and State Representatives Marie St. Fleur (5th Suffolk) and Willie Mae Allen (6th Suffolk).  Roy Owens and Sonia Chang-Diaz, who are challenging Rep. St. Fleur and Sen. Wilkerson, respectively, also sought the groupÕs endorsement.

 

Also in attendance at the endorsement meeting were State Representatives Martin J. Walsh and Linda Dorcena Forry and City Council President Maureen Feeney, all of Dorchester.  A representative for City Councilor–at-Large Sam Yoon also attended. 

 

ÒThe participation of so many candidates and elected officials in the DotOUT endorsement process clearly demonstrates respect for and recognition of the strength of DorchesterÕs GLBT community,Ó said Stephanie Moura, Chair of the DotOUT Steering Committee.  ÒWe are proud to offer our support to several candidates who have a proven track record of making Dorchester and the Commonwealth even more vibrant and welcoming to all who live and work here.Ó

 

 

Prior to the meeting, the group sent candidates for the contested seats questionnaires about issues of interest to DotOUTÕs membership, including marriage equality, public education, and state budget shortfalls.  (CandidatesÕ responses to the questionnaire are posted on the DotOUT website: www.dotout.org.)  Candidates also were invited to attend the meeting to make a presentation or to send a representative on their behalf.  The by-laws of DotOUT require a two-thirds vote of those voting in order to secure an endorsement.

 

DotOUT officials commended the three endorsed candidates for their strong voting record on behalf of civil rights and equality for all residents of Massachusetts. In particular, they noted these incumbentsÕ votes in favor of marriage equality, including the repeal of the 1913 law banning the marriage of out-of-state gay couples, as well as demonstrated commitments to funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and strong public schools.

 

Ms. Moura also thanked the membership for what has been a successful community-focused year thus far.  In addition to a strong presence in the Dot Day parade with a beach-themed float, DotOUT also sponsored a Summer Solstice fundraiser at dbar in June that raised $1,000 in donations to another Dorchester-based non-profit, DotArt. Last month, members of DotOUT who attended a Boston Red Sox game contributed enough money to support 50 local youth members of ATLAS to attend Fenway Futures at Fenway Park.  ATLAS (Academics Technology Lifeskills Arts and Sports) is an organization affiliated with DotWell, a collaboration of Codman Square Health Center and Dorchester Community Health that provides a range of support services to the youth who live in Dorchester.

 

About DotOUT

 

DotOUT (www.dotout.org) is a grassroots, member driven organization committed to the ideals of acceptance, inclusion, fairness, and equality. We believe in the strength of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (ÒGLBTÓ) community in Dorchester and recognize that together through our activism and neighborliness we can positively influence local opinion on issues that are relevant to us and our community. We recognize that Dorchester's GLBT residents have a long history of contributing to the very essence of our neighborhood. It is upon this foundation that we unite as a community to work with our neighbors and friends in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of life in Dorchester by building bridges to Dorchester's many communities.   In so doing, we will advance the ideals of fairness and equality for all the residents of Dorchester.

 

 

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