Stonewall Democrats of NYC Join National Federation of Stonewall Democrats

On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, Stonewall Democrats of NYC are uniting with Stonewall Democratic clubs across the United States to form a new organization, the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats. Read more in today’s Politico.

“Our job is to continue to push for the Democrats who are elected to make sure that they’re speaking up,” said Jeremy Comeau, the federation’s president and a Democratic activist from Massachusetts. “If they just let the Republicans steamroll these issues through the Congress without providing the words of support for the community … we’re doomed.”

The umbrella group, composed of 21 state-level advocacy organizations, is emerging at a time when Democratic resistance to Trump and Republicans’ policies has otherwise been fractured and largely floundering since his November win.

Stonewall Democrats of NYC President, Gabriel Lewenstein, joins the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats’ Board of Governors, incorporating the voices of New York City’s rich and diverse LGBTQ+ community into national discussions.

Melissa Sklarz, SDNYC Board Member and Democratic District Leader in Queens, shared, "As one of few transgender elected officials nationwide, and a past Board Member of National Stonewall Democrats, I am acutely aware of the need for a strong, vocal, and national voice for the LGBTQ community within the Democratic Party. We have achieved unimaginable progress in record time in recent years - but the backlash continues to fall hardest on the most marginalized communities. I am thrilled the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats is taking up the mantle of ensuring that the Democratic Party remains the party of inclusion and freedom and continues to fight for LGBTQ people across the country."

Contact StonewallDemocraticClubNYC@gmail.com to learn more or get involved.

Action Needed: Defend Trans Kids

This week, Republicans in Congress plan to bring up a cruel, discriminatory, and divisive bill to ban transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students from participating in sports. Use the Advocates for Trans Equality tool to contact your Representative here to encourage them to stand with the trans community and oppose the legislation.

SDNYC sent a letter to each member of Congress representing New York City urging them to oppose HR 28, stand firm against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and reject any attempts to roll back Title IX protections. The GOP is targeting the trans community. We will fight back against them each and every time and protect the rights, safety, and dignity of trans, nonbinary, and intersex Americans.

Join SDNYC for our Annual Event: Defiant!

You are invited to join the Stonewall Democrats of NYC for our 2025 Annual Event: Defiant, to be held January 30th, 2025 at Housing Works Bookstore in Soho. The LGBTQ community is defiant. We defy convention. We defy injustice. We defy efforts to keep us quiet. In that spirit, SDNYC invites you to continue being defiant, and to keep working for a brighter, more inclusive future.

We are honored to be recognizing pathbreaking and inspiring LGBTQ leaders who have demonstrated the power and impact of our community: Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary and Special Advisor to the President -Sean Coleman, CEO and Executive Director, Destination Tomorrow, Yanery Cruz, Director of Advocacy and Programs, New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG), and Queers for Kamala Co-Founders Kathleen Borschow, Jeffrey Omura, and Daniel Wein.

Get your ticket or purchase a sponsorship now! We can’t want to see you there.

SDNYC Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act

12/20/24 - SDNYC and the LGBTQ community are disgusted by the cruel, scientifically inaccurate, and divisive National Defense Authorization Act, passed by congress this week, which shoehorns in a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members. The bill hurts military families, ignores the overwhelming opinion of the medical community, and baldly discriminates against a marginalized community. We would never accept this kind of targeted bigotry for any other marginalized population, and we shouldn't now.

We are deeply disappointed by the Democratic elected leaders who voted for this, including those we have considered allies, and allowed the GOP to divide us. The LGBTQ community refuses to be pawns in Washington's power games, and we will not stand by and allow members of the trans community to be isolated and targeted.

We call on all Democratic elected leaders to show resolve and stand with the LGBTQ community now, and moving forward.

December Meeting and 2025 Annual Event: Defiant

12/4/24: December General Meeting: What’s Next

As we continue to process on the outcome of the Presidential Election, join Stonewall Democrats as we turn to look at the work ahead: the good, the bad, and the ugly. What plans from "Project 2025" do we need to prepared for? What are the ways we can advance trans rights in NYS in the year ahead? What are the opportunities for advocacy and leadership in the 2025 elections? Whether you have questions, or are ready to sign up to keep the fight for our rights moving, please join us at the LGBT Center on 13th Street on Wed, Dec 4th at 6:30pm.

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Save The Date
SDNYC Annual Event 2025: Defiant

The LGBTQ community has always been defiant. We defy convention. We defy injustice. We defy efforts to keep us down, and instead work to show strength in the face of adversity. The first Pride was a riot, and a fight against injustice. And we won’t stop now.

As our community prepares for the fights - and opportunities for progress - ahead, please join the Stonewall Democrats of NYC for our 2025 Annual Event: Defiant, to be held January 30th, 2025. More details - including honorees, sponsorship information, and ticket information, to come.

Note: Keen observers might have noticed that, in previous years, SDNYC has had a Winter Party for members in December and our Annual Event in June. But unprecedented times call for new traditions. To better align with the goals and needs of our club, we’re shifting to a new annual schedule. We’ll host our Annual Event in January 2025, with all the glitz, honorees, and flair you’ve come to expect from SDNYC parties, and move our member party to Pride. Stay tuned for more information!