Headlines from the Granite State
Buckley runs for historic 8th term
Raymond Buckley, New Hampshire’s first openly gay Democratic Party chair, announced he’s running for a historic eighth term. The Granite State’s Democratic committee meets on March 14 to take the vote. Previously, Buckley had served as state rep from 1986 to 2004 and is a member of the DNC’s LGBT Caucus.
“During Buckley’s tenure to date, “Democrats won four presidential races in the state, four of seven governor’s races, three of four U.S. Senate races, 11 of 14 U.S. House races as well as majorities three times in the New Hampshire House, twice in the state Senate and three times on the Executive Council. Nine of the state’s mayors are currently Democrats,” notes Manchester’s WMUR-TV 9.”
“In 2020, three incumbent members of the state’s congressional delegation – Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas — won their bids for reelection, while President-elect Joe Biden won the state’s four electoral votes.”
Soldati challenges
And for only the second time since he assumed the position in 2007, Chair Buckley is facing a competitor in the race — this time in another LGBTQ community leader, owner of Somersworth’s Teatotaller Café Emmett Soldati.
“There were definitely wins to celebrate this past November, but in my community and in communities across this state there’s also deep disappointment,” Soldati stated in a media release.
“People are frustrated that they’ll have to wait years for solar expansion through net metering, cannabis legalization, and adequate funding for our public schools. If you speak to folks about their neighborhoods or main streets, they are not thrilled with the election results, and we need to give them hope, and a voice, as we build our party for the future,” he said.
Criminal justice advisory
“I’m an LGBT woman who is Hispanic,” Natalie Quevedo of Winchester told Keene New Hampshire’s SentinelSource.com. “Just to know that the police force would like to make people like me feel safe, that is huge.”
Quevedo is also a community organizer, chief contracting officer for New York State Solar and now one of five members chosen to serve in the newly formed Criminal Justice Advisory Team of the Cheshire County, New Hampshire Sheriff’s Office.
“Quevedo said the committee’s objective is to make people feel secure in their communities,” reports SentinelSource.com.
“She said the team would like [Sheriff Eli] Rivera to issue a public statement condemning violence, especially in light of recent events in Washington. She also commended him for forming the committee to begin with, saying it’s a significant step toward making marginalized people feel more comfortable in their neighborhoods.”
“Whether it’s recruitment, law enforcement policies or dialogues on legislation, the team drives the conversation,” Rivera said. “I am very excited with the wealth of knowledge the team brings and their commitment to supporting this idea.”
HRC Best Place to Work
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. earned a top spot in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. The Keene-based corp’s score shot up 10 points since last year to an impressive 100 (as it had done in 2020, rising to 90 from the previous year.)
The perfect score comes with the distinction of “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”
HRC’s Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees. Criteria include nondiscrimination policies, equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families, support for inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility.
“Our participating companies know that building an LGBTQ-inclusive workplace is not just the right thing to do—it is also the best business decision — allowing companies to attract, retain and engage top talent,” said HRC President Alphonso David.
More: hrc.org/resources/corporate-equality-index
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