As this is Pride Week, the Harris County Democratic Party joined in the celebration by dedicating their June evening brown bag to Houston’s GLBT Movement. Attendees were treated to some great presentations from notable GLBT activists, such as Ray Hill, Council Member Sue Lovell, and GLBT Caucus chief Kris Banks. Moderating the discussion was Judge Steven Kirkland.
Each of the activists spoke on the one issue that got them involved in the movement. For Ray Hill, it was the arrest and imprisonment of five men under Texas’ sodomy statute. For Sue Lovell, it was the case of young gay man who was attacked, yet HPD did little to help. And for Kris Banks, it was the a state amendment which would ban adoptions 
to gay couples. Of course, all have been involved in various issues, and have made a difference in the electoral and legal process.
Of course, also in the crowd were several of candidates running in the Democratic Primary for a judicial position. Among them were Steve Reilley (County Civil Ct at Law #1), Marc Isenberg (313th Juvenile District Court), Bruce Mosier (County Civil Ct at Law #4), Kathleen Robbins (314th Juvenile Dist. Court), Judy Dougherty (310th Family Law District Ct.), Kathy Vossler (280th Civil District Ct.), Mary Kay Green (247th Civil District 
Court), Walter Boyd (228th Criminal District Court), and many more. Of course, I have to mention that staff for 189th District Court candidate Chuck Silverman was also there.
I must say, that the GLBT community will be playing a major role in deciding Democratic Primary races. Much like this blogger mentions the importance of seriously pursuing Mexican American and other Latino Democratic voters (and not just organizations), the GLBT is another group in the Big Blue Tent that must be pursued–even if you think you won’t win an organizational endorsement.
Stace Medellin and his hero Ray Hill
