Pride is a consciousness of our own dignity

Dear Friends and Allies of the Stonewall Caucus:

Who doesn’t feel in some way different from others, something that sets them apart, separates them from the group? All of us do. Pride is first and foremost about seeing through separation, things that others denigrate us for, things that we denigrate ourselves for, but shouldn’t.

Pride is a consciousness of our dignity.

Pride month, at its essence, is for the Queer community to celebrate the differences that make us who we are. It is about refusing to feel disparaged when others disapprove of these differences. It’s about celebrating our triumphs and embracing the neurodiversity that often sets us apart from others and influences how we approach the world. It is about knowing that our differences make us stronger.

Pride is a consciousness of our own dignity.
Dignity is a characteristic of love.

We are Democrats. Juneteenth is about recognizing liberation from oppression for the Black community, how we are stronger together, and how much more there is to do to fulfill the promises of June 19, 1865. The same is true for Pride month that is born out of the June 28, 1969 Stonewall protests. The Queer community includes and embraces Black, Latinx, Asian, white, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and all the other communities from around the world. It recognizes that all communities have Queer members. Pride is cause to recognize our fortitude, to strengthen others, to stand to work for the good of all, even though we may have nothing personally to gain.

Pride is a consciousness of our own dignity.
Dignity is a characteristic of love.
Loving ourselves and others allows us to put aside differences to work for the common good.

We are Democrats. We recognize that working for the common good is superior to working for the most good to the most people, a philosophy that repeatedly sidelines the same marginalized groups. We know that however well-intentioned, a system that requires us to be members of the cultural mainstream to get ahead is inherently biased against us and doesn’t uplift society. We recognize that putting all our support behind and electing candidates from the LGBTQIA+ community can only strengthen our great State.

We know that electing Tina Kotek as the first lesbian Governor of any of these United States places Oregon on the best side of history and ensures that our state continues to shine as a beacon of progress and hope. We know that electing Jamie McLeod-Skinner to Congress (OR CD 5) is crucial for maintaining a Democratic majority. Her strong, progressive representation will be essential advocacy for all of her hard-working constituents and strengthen our Congressional Delegation. We have the power to change our Government by voting and turning out the vote for Tina and Jamie. Knocking on doors, text and phone banking, and donating money to ever-underfunded campaigns will deliver the vote for these two fine LGBTQ Democrats.

Stonewall and all our other Democratic Party of Oregon caucuses know we have strength in numbers, and together we are indomitable.

Pride is a consciousness of our own dignity.
Dignity is a characteristic of love.
Loving ourselves and others is to put aside differences to work for the common good.
Working for the common good ensures our Democratic candidates victory in November.

We have the pride, dignity, and love of country and each other to get this done.

We are Proud to work with you, beside you, and for you for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive Oregon!

In Pride,
Karen Rippberger
Chair, Democratic Party of Oregon Stonewall Caucus

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