Steel City Stonewall Democrats

Who we are, what we do, and why we do it.

Our mission of equality through electoral politics

The mission of the Steel City Stonewall Democrats is to advance equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. We will support public policies that advance that mission in the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the greater Pittsburgh region. We will help elect qualified Democratic candidates that support equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. We will work to sensitize and educate all candidates and office holders, Democratic Party leaders, and the community at large to the issues and concerns of the LGBT community.

Within the LGBTQIA+ community, we will promote awareness of and response to political issues that are relevant to LGBTQIA+ citizens.

Endorsement
Every year, the Steel City Stonewall Democrats holds an endorsement meeting before the spring Democratic Primary. Candidates seeking our endorsement must fill out a questionnaire, which is updated annually, and pay a filing fee to be considered. Candidates are also welcome to come speak during the Endorsement Meeting, but are not required. The General membership votes on who to endorse for the primary by simple majority. In the event of a tie, the executive board of the Steel City Stonewall Democrats will vote to break the tie. This questionnaire and member-driven endorsement process ensures that the Steel City Stonewall Democrats support the candidates that truly are allies with the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Membership
The Steel City Stonewall Democrats is a member driven organization. Members determine our executive board, members select which candidates the organization will endorse, and only members can serve on the executive board. The Steel City Stonewall Democrats also rely on membership dues to keep the organization running and financially sound.
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OUR TEAM

The team fighting for LGBTQIA+ equality in western PA!

Tracy Baton

Vice President

Tracy Baton LCSW (she/her) is a Black queer cis-female psychotherapist, community organizer, anthropologist, historian, and clinical social worker from Pittsburgh. She is an elected member of Pennsylvania Democratic Committee and Allegheny County Democratic Committee. She grew up in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods and has asked questions about human rights since high school. Tracy attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor’s in medical anthropology focusing on South Africa. In addition, she attended the University of Florida, where she received a Master’s in Medical Anthropology and a Master’s in African History before returning to Pittsburgh and earning her Master’s in Social Work. Among her many honors are the William J. Fulbright (IIE) Fellowship and the Linda S. Vance Award for Historical Writing on Women. She did her field research on women’s labor in rural South Africa. Upon her return to the US, she won two “Best of Pittsburgh” awards for peaceful First Amendment protest as leader of the Women’s March – Pittsburgh. She worked as an anti-racism organizer for Mennonite Central Committee and as a private psychotherapist. She is lead clinician at Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, where she works with LGBTQ+ youth and families. She loves gardening and antiques. She is also delighted to be the mother of three daughters and the nana of two grandchildren.