Dallas Democratic Labor Day Picnic - Fun, Frantic!

I attended a yearly tradition here in Dallas, the Democratic Labor Day Picnic. It’s a great place to meet candidates and fellow Democrats and enjoy the chaos and camaraderie of a big pot-luck meal. This year it was held at the Catholic Czech Club Hall, a big barn of a building in South East Dallas.

All the usual suspects were there. Candidates and their representatives were all pressing the flesh and sharing a meal of fried chicken and casseroles brought by those attending. It was hectic and fun, and a great chance to get to know people you might not get to meet and speak with.

State Senator Royce West was on hand to deliver the opening speech and benediction. He has a commanding presence and managed to quiet the crowd, a feat in itself.

My group, the Stonewall Democrats had a table right in the middle of things and we had lots of interest. The Stonewall groups, GLBT Democrats, have become a vital force in the local party scene and very few candidates will refuse an invitation to speak with us or attend one of our events. That’s a good sign of how things have changed in Dallas. When I first came out, the police were still raiding the bars for infractions as innocent as men dancing with men. We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go before we have true equality. Events like the picnic are a good way for other Democrats to get to know us. It’s always harder to discriminate when you know the person you are trying to discriminate against.

All in all it was a great event. I got to catch up with my friend Lupe Valdez, the Sheriff of Dallas County, Ken Mohlberg, former Dallas Democratic Party Chairman, who is running for judge and lots of other great folks. If you have never attended one of these kinds of events, you are missing a vital part of party politics. You can get involved and have a great time doing it!