Gay Democrats talk strategy

 DENVER — Gay and lesbian Democrats are gathering early to prepare a strategy for next week's convention, and their marching orders are the same for all states: Make sure other delegates know who you are and what gay voters want this fall.

The Stonewall Democrats started a four-day "boot camp" in Denver Thursday. At the top of their agenda for the convention, which starts Monday, are pushing Democrats to fight proposed gay-marriage bans in three states and passing federal anti-discrimination laws.

With a record 370 lesbian, gay and transgendered delegates to this year's convention, Stonewall Democrats say they're primed to drive Democrats' plans more than ever before. The number of gay delegates is up almost 100 from 2004, and they now make up some 6 percent of all delegates. Only two states — Nebraska and North Dakota — won't send any openly gay delegates.

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Aspen Times, CO