More on Wednesday's LGBT Caucus

Yesterday Roberta Achtenberg took the podium early with some very sad news: A grand dame of the LGBT equality movement, Del Martin, died yesterday morning in San Francisco with her partner - and spouse - of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, at her side. A very somber moment for the entire room, and we had a heartfelt moment of silence for a stalwart hero of our community and our history. Del was 87.

Roberta then introduced San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who was visibly shaken by the news of Del's passing, he could hardly speak. Choking back tears, he recounted how he came to know Del & Phyllis and how important it was for him to support their incredibly enduring relationship - they were to celebrate their 56th anniversary as a couple - and arranged for them to be the first couple to marry in California on June 16th this summer when marriage became legal for them in their state.

Wire photo of SF Mayor Gavin Newsom officiating at the June 16, 2008 wedding of Phyllis Lyon (L) and Del Martin (in wheelchair), finally tying the knot after 55 years together.

We then heard from DNC Chair Howard Dean, who as Governor of Vermont signed the bill establishing the first civil unions in the country in 2000. Erin & I had met Gov. Dean back in May 2001 when Louise Young & Vivienne Armstrong* brought him to Dallas for a fundraiser in support of his 5th term as Vermont's governor.

Later in the meeting, Houston's Vice Mayor Pro Tem & DNC member Sue Lovell took the podium to introduce Congressman Barney Frank (MA), but first asked everyone not to mourn the passing of Del Martin but to "do it the Texas way" by celebrating her life -- and the room exploded into boisterous applause, feet-pounding, & whistling, cheering Del's life & leadership.

As Sue introduced Rep. Frank, she concluded by saying, "...and now, without further adieu, please welcome Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts..." When he took the podium, Barney -- just an incredibly funny guy always -- said:

"Just once - sometime somewhere - just once I'd like to have 'further adieu'...we always hear 'without' but I'd really like some 'further.' But I guess you have to have some adieu before you can get 'further adieu'."

I remember one time watching C-SPAN during a Congressional hearing in the early 1990s on the Branch Davidian stand-off, when Barney Frank was questioning Attorney General Janet Reno, asking her if the FBI & ATF had exhausted different strategies to entice the Branch Davidians to walk out peacefully...and he suggested that perhaps the ATF could have simply piped in C-SPAN to put them all to sleep.

Another quick funny moment: Erin has been putting all of her flair on the flap of her haversack that she carries every day to the Pepsi Center, so it's pretty replete edge to edge. She said a delegate came running up to her on the mezzanine eagerly asking "How much are your buttons?" ;-)

*Shout-out of CONGRATS to Louise & Viv, who just got married in California last Friday, celebrating 35+ years together!!