HRC Back Story

Here's an update on the trainings in Minnesota to help prepare GLBT supporters to take part in presidential caucuses on February 5. This one was sent to us by Laurie Crelly, one of HRC's star organizers in Minnesota:

Laurie Crelly from HRC, Monica Meyers and Jo Haberman from OutFront MN have been crisscrossing the state of Minnesota training GLBT and allied Minnesotans on the ins and outs of the precinct caucus. We scheduled ten trainings from Duluth on the North Shore to Rochester in the southeast corner of the state. We have trained over 200 people so far and have three more trainings to hold before Super Tuesday.

Laurie (center, wearing glasses) at the Wayzata training session with youth leaders from "The Garage" Youth Center

Thursday night we gathered 43 people in Wayzata, a western suburb on Minneapolis. One of the great things about this group was the wide range of ages in the room, from 18 to 80+. We had leaders from a “The Garage” youth center of Burnsville attend as well as members of the local Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka who were well over sixty years old as well as many others in between.

HRC leaders attending Wayzata training session.

Once again many of those in attendance had never attended a precinct caucus before and were interested in learning how to be vocal advocates for equality in their neighborhood and town. We had lively discussions about how strategize as a delegate or during a walking sub-caucus and discussed resolutions for GLBT equality we could present on February 5th.

It was also encouraging throughout all of the trainings to hear people who were passionate about other issues as well. Global warming, the economy, ending the war, affordable housing, affordable healthcare, early childhood issues, and many more were all issues people raised. We are training people not only to be engaged GLBT voters but to be engaged citizens.

Denny Smith, a life long Republican in St. Cloud, attended Wednesday’s training and spoke passionately about seeking marriage/ domestic partner rights for same sex couples because of his gay son. He has worked for years with local republican leaders to try and educate them about these issues. He said, after the training, “I had given up on making a difference in my party. Even my son had said it was a hopeless cause, but tonight’s training has given me more hope and energy to keep on fighting for what I know is right.” Denny is so passionate on GLBT equality that he even wrote a book called, God did TOO make Adam and Steve and gave out copies to those in attendance.

Denny Smith and his book, God did TOO make Adam and Steve

As a trainer working with so many different people, I am inspired by the passion and commitment of so many people around the state. I look out and see emerging leaders in their communities willing to step out and try new things, speak up and be visible to their neighbors and friends.

I am energized by all this and ready for Super Tuesday, are you?

- Laurie