The Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
(NGLTF) today
launched a new training initiative to strengthen state and local gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender groups and prepare them to participate effectively in
the electoral arena.
One key goal of the Leadership Training Initiative is to prepare state and
local organizations to defeat legislative and ballot-based attacks from anti-gay
extremists. In the November 1998 elections, right-wing forces won five out of
six anti-gay measures on ballots across the country. In the next 15 months,
California and at least six other jurisdictions will face similar anti-gay
ballot measures.
"We can win these campaigns only if we shift strategies in two critical
ways," argued Urvashi Vaid, director of the Policy Institute of the
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "First, we must realize that campaigns
are won by votes, not media advertising. The labor-intensive process of voter
identification, constituency organizing, and public education are how we will
win. Second, we must be well trained in our work. There is no better trainer in
our movement than our new senior fellow, Dave Fleischer."
The Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a think
tank dedicated to research, strategic projects, and coalition building to
advance the equality and understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
people. To direct the electoral training initiative, the Policy Institute has
named Dave Fleischer to be its second "senior fellow." Fleischer joins
Policy Institute founder and senior fellow John D'Emilio.
In 1999, Fleischer will design and implement a series of innovative training
interventions to address serious electoral weaknesses in gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender communities across the country. The goal of these interventions
is to develop electoral organizing models that will be able to be replicated for
years to come. Houston, TX; Dade County, FL; Louisville, KY; Columbus, OH; New
York State; and California are among the communities with which Fleischer may be
working.
Fleischer is best known for his work at the Gay and Lesbian Victory
Foundation, where he created and ran an effective and highly regarded campaign
leadership training program for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
community from 1993 through 1998.
" Dave Fleischer - with his demonstrated track record of more than 15
years of electoral trainings is an incredible addition to our Policy
Institute," stated Kerry Lobel, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
executive director. "This Leadership Training Initiative will be an
invaluable ingredient in our community's efforts to defeat anti-gay initiatives
and successfully and proactively organize in the electoral arena," she
added.
