Supporters of LGBT rights participated in the first annual Democrats Pride in the Park picnic Saturday, June 16, at beautiful Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens just north of Little River.
More than 50 HCDP members and friends were welcomed to the event at the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway by Stefan Varner, Democratic LGBT Committee chair.
“It is the Democratic Party that supports LGBT people,” declared Varner. He urged all Democrats to vote in the June 26 runoff, to get active and be sure to vote in the November 6 general election.
Varner advised LGBT people and supporters not to be disheartened by the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision involving a baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds. He pointed out that the decision turned on actions by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.
“Under the constitution, we are guaranteed freedom of speech and religion and equal protections, but we are also guaranteed due process,” said Varner. “As Americans, I believe we should stand up for due process just as much as any other right.” He noted that another case will be heard by the Court that is expected to be “much more clear-cut” regarding whether businesses can discriminate against anyone based on rights protected by the Constitution.
Hyman Backs Marriage Equality
Mal Hyman, who is seeking the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 7th Congressional District, used the occasion to call for fair treatment for all Americans, stressing that he supports marriage equality.
Hyman promised to vote for President Trump’s impeachment if elected and called for health care reform, including passage of “Medicare for All.”
He blasted President Trump and Republicans in Congress for their new tax plan, which he said provides 80 percent of its benefits to the wealthy while one in five children lives in insecurity. He stressed that he is not accepting contributions from corporations or banking interests “because no man can serve two masters.”
Hyman is opposed by State Rep. Robert Williams in the June 26 runoff. For the Democratic Congressional nomination. Williams did not attend the Pride in the Park event.
Vote in June 26 Runoff
Melvin Whittenburg, Democratic candidate for SC Secretary of State, urged all Democrats to vote, stressing that “South Carolina is a blue state, and the only thing that made it red is that we failed to vote.”
HCDP Chair Don Kohn blasted Trump for the “cruel and disgusting” separation of children from their immigrant parents on our southern border. Democrats, he said, stand for equal rights for all.
He, too, urged all Democrats to vote in the June 26 runoff. Democrats need to “get active” and elect Democratic candidates in November, he declared.
Seventeen-year-old Ryan Thompson, who is active in Young Democrats and the Democratic LGBT Committee, said young voters are especially concerned about gun control, the environment, health care and equal rights. He emphasized that Hyman “is the only candidate who supports marriage equality.”
“This was a terrific event, a huge success,” said Kohn. “Stefan and his team did a great job in putting this together and I’m sure next year’s Pride in the Park will be even better.”
View Photo Album
For a complete photo album from Pride in the Park, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/…/140923467@N…/sets/72157668151139887
All photos are available for download courtesy of HCDP.
