The Stonewall Democrats is a national political organization with an active local affiliate in Los Angeles.
Founding
According to their national website, the Stonewall Democratic Club is “America's only grassroots Democratic LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) organization.”
It is listed as a domestic non-profit corporation, first registered in 1999.
On the national level, the organization maintains the Stonewall Democrats Political Action Committee to endorse pro-equality democrats, provide campaign contributions, and grassroots support on the local level.
Los Angeles Affiliate
Although the Stonewall Democrats was not founded on a national level until the late nineties, the Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats began in 1975.
Preceding virtually every election, on the local, state, and federal level, the organization releases a list of endorsements.
Past significant endorsements include Mayor Villaraigosa, Barbara Boxer, and overturning California’s Proposition 8.
During the 2010 Lieutenant Governor race in California, the Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats made local headlines when they choose not to endorse popular pro-LGBT Mayor Gavin Newsom. The organization instead endorsed Los Angeles council member Janice Hahn.
The Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Democrats get their name from riots that occurred in New York City in 1969.
At the time, gathering spots that catered to homosexuals (labeled as “sexual deviants”) were illegal in many parts of the country, as was the case in New York. When New York Police performed a raid on the mafia run, Stonewall Inn, the gay and lesbian patrons fought back and several of the patrons were beaten by the NYPD.
The riots represented a rally call for the LGBT community. A slew of organizations popped up, all with the aim of protecting minorities and underrepresented groups.
Today, the Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats are a very active local organization. Membership dues range from $15 to $100 annually. They maintain several committees including the Legislative Action Committee, the PAC, a Community Outreach Committee, and several others.
The organization also supports a youth program called the Stonewall Young Democrats.
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