Convention news and other tidbits

UPDATE (8/20): Had a pretty crappy medical issue come up, so I'm sadly passing on this trip to rest up before Denver.

I hit the the road tomorrow afternoon to attend the National Gay & Lesbian Journalists Association convention (here's the schedule). I will be on the Media Summit Live Broadcast of the Mike Signorile Show; as you will see below, I'm representing the dirty, unwashed masses of the blogosphere alongside the "real" journalists. It's great to attend this event, because there's clearly some tension between the worlds of blogger citizen journalism, commentary and the traditional press, and that goes for LGBT media as well. Candidates have increasingly reached out to the blogs, so the issues of access are going to provide interesting discussion.

Access: The LGBT Press & The Candidates
The Michelangelo Signorile Show
Be part of the studio audience of one of Sirius OutQ’s most popular radio programs. Host Michelangelo Signorile helps NLGJA celebrate the 5th anniversary of the LGBT Media Summit by hosting a live broadcast from the event’s closing plenary. Michelangelo and his guests will discuss what access the LGBT press has to the major candidates. What have we learned from the primary campaign and how should we be positioning for the big contest? And, when they will talk, how do we approach those LGBT issues some are reluctant to address?

• Host: Michelangelo Signorile, Journalist, Author & Talk Show Host                                                              
• Pam Spaulding, Blogger, Pam’s House Blend                                                              
• Lisa Keen, Freelance Writer                                                              
• Kevin Naff, Editor,  Washington Blade
• Kerry Eleveld, News Editor, The Advocate

Now on to the Democratic National Convention and the Blend. Here are a few updates...

* U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), the first and only openly lesbian member of Congress, will speak at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night. You can see my video interview with her here; I'll try to get an update interview while in Denver. Also, the other out member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA,) will host a LGBT Delegate Lunch in Denver. Tammy, along with the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and The Human Rights Campaign will also participate in the event. The Blend will be able to cover this as a member of the general press pool.

* Speaking of the convention, based on the response from the coffeehouse crowd, on the top of the list for desired coverage are the baristas' impressions and commentary of the goings-on, as well as coverage of the events happening off-site or not televised, such as the LGBT caucuses, luncheons, etc.  You'll be able to follow what we're doing via several social media tools, such as Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed (that incorporates streams from the first two), plus photos and short multimedia updates available via Utterz. You can see a preview in the last blox in the left column of the blog.

RSS Feeds available:
 2008 DNC Blend convention posts only:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/pamshouseblend/pspu

 The regular Blend feed, which also includes non-convention-related posts:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/PamsHouseBlend.

* BTW, The Blend hasn't reached its fundraising goal for Denver (something true of most blogs going to Denver), but we're grateful for the generous support you all have given. One of the ways we have decided to cut our expenses -- and to maximize use of the funds raised -- is that two front pagers, Julien and Daimeon, will stay behind to do the admin work that has to be done at the coffeehouse anyway -- moderating chats and posting non-convention news. Given the power situation and that internet access may be sketchy for bloggers in Denver (you should see some of the emails I've received about logistics -- more below), you can't take anything for granted.

* Blend in the news: I was interviewed by Amanda Millner-Fairbanks of the New York Times for a feature that will run this Sunday. It will be a cover article on bloggers and the convention in one of the feature sections. The focus will be on all of the logistical and financial hurdles faced by bloggers -- as well as the DNCC -- in coordinating the inclusion of citizen journalists as members of the credentialed media. Other bloggers are interviewed, including folks from The Albany Project, and Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis. A photographer for the Times came to my house over the weekend to do a shoot. This is the second large outlet to discuss the Blend's trip to the convention.

* Also, The Bilerico Project, while not an official DNCC credentialed blog, is sending correspondents to the convention; just as it is with those of us who have received credentials, none of the travel expenses are covered. The official donation page is: Hit Bil's tip jar here.

More below the fold.
There's so much going on, and not enough time to cover it all.

LGBT-related convention events

 

Monday, August 25                  

 

12:00-2:00pm LGBT Caucus Meeting Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202.

 

 

2:00-4:00pm Stonewall Democrats Tea Party The Pinnacle Club by the Grand Hyatt Stonewall Democrats.

   

 

4:00pm-6:00pm Celebrating Diversity Reception Westin Tabor Center 1672 Lawrence Street Denver, CO 80202     HRC & NBJC.

 

 

Tuesday, August 26 

 

12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch for LGBT Delegates Rep. Baldwin, Rep. Frank, the Victory Fund, and Human Rights Campaign Sheraton Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202 .

 

 

7:30pm Human Rights Campaign Rock to Win concert with Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright and Margaret Cho, Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St Denver, CO 80218. 

 

 

Wednesday, August 27    

              

 

9:00pm-10:00 am Big Tent panel discussion on LGBT Issues in 2008: What a Difference Four Years Makes. 

Human Rights Campaign will be hosting a 50-minute, panel session on LGBT issues in the 2008 election at The Big Tent on Wednesday, August 27 at 9 AM (MT). Panelists include: Celinda Lake, Arizona Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (Del.) and Jonathan Capehart.  

 

 12:00pm-2:00pm LGBT Caucus Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202 Media contact: Trevor Thomas, DNCC

On Wednesday I'll be on a 2 PM panel at The Big Tent put on by Alliance for Justice on the state of the legal system, Overruled: Taking Back the Courts Through Progressive New Media. Also on the panel: Arianna Huffington, Glenn Greenwald,  Dahlia Lithwick of Slate.com, and Christy Hardin Smith of FireDogLake.com. Whew - that crowd's above my pay grade! What have I gotten myself into?

More updates on the primetime programming from the DNCC's latest release, courtesy of HRC's Deputy Communications Director Trevor Thomas, who is wearing two hats, serving as the DNC's LGBT press liaison:

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America Campaign today announced new speakers and gavel times for the opening three nights of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to take place August 25th – 28th in Denver.

Joining the program on Monday, August 25th will be Former President Jimmy Carter; Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar; Miami Mayor Manny Diaz; Illinois state leaders Alexi Giannoulis, Dan Hynes, Lisa Madigan, and Tom Balanoff from Illinois SEIU; long-time Barack Obama mentor Jerry Kellman; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten; and NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan. The theme of Monday’s program is One Nation.

New speakers added to the program on Tuesday, August 26th are Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy; West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, Chair of the Democratic Governors’ Association; Iowa Governor Chet Culver; Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; California State Controller John Chiang; Change to Win’s Anna Burger; AFL-CIO President John Sweeney; and Planned Parenthood of America President Cecile Richards. The theme of Tuesday’s program is Renewing America’s Promise.  

On Wednesday, August 27th, new speakers addressing the theme of Securing America’s Future include Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Organizers stressed that new names were being added daily to the Convention program and that there would be several major announcements on the program yet to come, including the program for the final night of the Convention and the names of the first-time delegates and everyday Americans who will be central to the Convention program. 

Also today, Convention organizers announced that the Convention will gavel open at 3:00 PM Mountain/5:00 PM Eastern and gavel down at 9:00 PM Mountain/11:00 PM Eastern, Monday through Wednesday, August 25th –27th.

PROGRAM SUMMARY TO DATE

Monday, August 25 – One Nation.
Barack Obama’s story is an American story that reflects a life of struggle, opportunity and responsibility like those faced by Americans everyday. The opening night of the Convention will highlight Barack’s life story, his commitment to change, and the voices of Americans who are calling for a new direction for this country.

Monday’s headline prime-time speaker will be Michelle Obama.

Other Monday night speakers include:
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri; Barack Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng and Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s older brother; Jerry Kellman, mentor and long-time friend of Barack Obama;  Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.;  former Indiana Representative Lee Hamilton; Tom Balanoff, President of Illinois SEIU; Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten;  Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; State Comptroller Dan Hynes; Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulis; Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle; and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Monday night will also feature a tribute to Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Tuesday, August 26 – Renewing America’s Promise.
Millions of Americans are struggling to get by. The failed policies of the last eight years have betrayed the country’s values and left an economy out of balance. Barack Obama believes a strong economy is unattainable with a weak middle class. Tuesday’s Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack’s concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity.

Senator Hillary Clinton will be the headline prime-time speaker and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday night. Pay Equity pioneer Lilly Ledbetter will also address the Convention on Tuesday.

Other Tuesday speakers will include:
Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana; Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts; Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas;  Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona; Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia; Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin; Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania; Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio; Governor David Paterson of New York; Governor Chet Culver of Iowa; Senator Bob Casey, Jr., of Pennsylvania; Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont; former Secretary of Energy and Transportation Federico Peña;  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; House Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel; Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Assistant to the Speaker of the House; and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Chris Van Hollen, who will use his time to showcase his top candidates for change.

Representatives Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mike Honda (D-CA), California Controller John Chiang, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, Change To Win’s Anna Burger, and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will also speak.

Wednesday, August 27 – Securing America’s Future.
Barack Obama offers a new, tough foreign policy that is neither Republican nor Democratic, but is a strong, smart American foreign policy to make our country more secure and advance our interests in the world. Wednesday night’s Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack’s vision of making America stronger and safer.

The headline prime-time speaker on Wednesday will be Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential Nominee.

Featured speakers will include:
Former President Bill Clinton; former Senator Tom Daschle; Governor Bill Richardson and Senators Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, John Kerry and Jay Rockefeller. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Convention home state Senator Ken Salazar, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, and Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth will lead a tribute honoring those who give so much to secure our nation’s future – veterans, active duty military and their families.

Thursday, August 28 – Change You Can Believe In.
On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the Convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the Convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination.  Obama will communicate the urgency of the moment, highlight the struggles Americans are facing and call on Americans to come together to change the course of our nation.  Additional details of the program to precede Barack Obama’s acceptance speech will be announced later this week.

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