FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2005

Colorado Stonewall Democrats
Contact: Paul McCarty
Communications Director
press@stonewalldems.org

Denver, CO – State and local elected Democrats, along with members of the Arapahoe, Jefferson and Denver County Democrats, and officers of the Colorado Democratic Party will join Colorado Stonewall Democrats, a state-wide LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) organization, on Sunday, June 26 marching in the PrideFest parade. A complete list of individuals and organizations marching follows.

Immediately after the parade, Mark Ferrandino, Colorado Stonewall Democrats Co-Chair and Treasurer of the Colorado Democratic Party, will speak at a rally on the theme of PrideFest, “Equal Rights: No More, No Less.”

“Being joined by elected officials such as Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, our allies from county parties, and officers from the state party is a strong statement of commitment to equality on the part of Democrats,” stated Paul McCarty, Communications Director for Colorado Stonewall Democrats.

Senator Jennifer Veiga, Colorado’s only openly gay elected official serving at the state level, is the Grand Marshall for the parade. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Cheesman Park and follows a route down Colfax Avenue to the Civic Center Park.

A number of Democratic elected officials, including Congresswoman Diana DeGette, will march in their own contingents adjacent to Colorado Stonewall Democrats.

Between the parade and festival, an estimated 170,000 people will attend PrideFest. The event commemorates the June 27, 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City—an event commonly held as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement.

Colorado Stonewall Democrat’s Contingent
President of the Senate Joan Fitz-Gerald
State Senator Deanna Hanna
State Representative Mike Cerbo
State Representative Fran Coleman
State Representative Gary Lindstrom
State Representative Michael Merrifield
State Representative Jim Riesberg
CU Regent Michael Carrigan
Colorado State Board of Education Member Karen Middleton
Denver City Council President Elbra Wedgeworth
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Patricia Waak
Colorado Democratic Party 2nd Vice-Chair Margaret Atencio
Colorado Democratic Party Secretary Carolyn Boller

Democrats Marching in Adjacent Contingents
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
State Senator Paula Sandoval
State Senator Jennifer Veiga
State Representative Jerry Frangas
State Representative Joel Judd
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

-------------------------------------------------
Colorado Stonewall Democrats engage and educate the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the Democratic Party as advocates for equality through the political process.

www.stonewalldems.org

###