Stonewall Democrats Report 27% Increase in Gay & Lesbian Convention Participants

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, National Stonewall
Democrats announced that a record number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) delegates -- more than 350 -- will attend the Democratic
National Convention in Denver, Colorado. This represents approximately 6% of
total convention attendees and is 27% increase from the 282 LGBT participants
in 2004.

"The Democratic Party is being positively shaped by lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender advocates who believe in Democratic principles of fair play, hard
work, security at home and equal opportunity for all," said Jon Hoadley,
Executive Director. "The Democratic National Convention is an avenue for our
community to participate in civic life and advance the values that the
majority of Americans share."

The unofficial count is based on numbers reported by state Democratic parties
to the Secretary's office of the Democratic National Committee. 324 LGBT
participants were reported by state parties to the Secretary's office.
Additionally, Stonewall Democrats was able to identify for the Secretary's
office 34 more openly-LGBT participants than were first reported. As the
convention nears, it is expected that more LGBT delegates will self-identify
as openly-LGBT.

Among the currently reported 358 LGBT Participants in Denver:

Christopher Pappas (New Hampshire-Clinton) who became the first delegate
elected in 2008.

Jason Rae (Wisconsin-Obama) who -- at 21 -- is the youngest "super delegate"
in the nation.

Javier Morillo-Alicea (Minnesota-Obama) who is President of the Service
Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26 in the Twin Cities.

Amanda Simpson (Arizona-Clinton) of Tucson. Openly-transgender, Simpson is a
consultant and test pilot for a major aerospace company.

Stonewall Democrats had initially hoped to achieve a base goal of 321 LGBT
convention participants (a 14% increase from 2004) and has so far secured a
27% total increase of LGBT delegates and convention participants.

The Democratic National Convention will be held August 25 through August 28 in
Denver, Colorado. It immediately follows the Stonewall Democrats National
Convention, also held in Denver on August 21 - 24.

National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the
nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats --
regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity -- and to improve
the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.

SOURCE National Stonewall Democrats

John Marble of National Stonewall Democrats, +1-202-436-5966,
johnmarble@stonewalldemocrats.org