An open letter to the Shelby County Democratic Party,
Since I came back to Shelby County in 2021, I’ve been a proud supporter of the Party. I even stuck my neck out and ran for County Commissioner as a proud Democrat, knowing that the odds were severely stacked against any D running county-wide.
That first year, I bought, and the Party displayed, a PRIDE flag in the booth at the fair. We’d never had one before, but I thought as an out, gay man running for office, we should have one. And Bob Williams proudly hung it in the booth. Denny Ramsey continued that tradition. Joe Land and current leadership have changed trajectory.
This year, I went to volunteer at the booth and there was a note that the PRIDE flag wasn’t being displayed this year. I asked why. Denny was there opening the booth and told me that the party felt it was “controversial” and “would cost us votes” – that “getting votes for Democrats was the most important thing.”
Apparently at the cost of our integrity.
He assured me multiple times that the party supports the LGBTQ community but also defended not having the flag.
It can’t be both ways.
Either we stand for something, or we fall for everything. Apparently, the Shelby County Democratic party has made its decision in that regard.
I therefore am resigning my membership in the Party. I will support, and vote for, individual candidates, but can no longer be part of an organization that obviously does not respect me as a member.
I find this incredibly tragic, that even the Democrats in Shelby County, Indiana, have caved to a culture where diversity and inclusion are anathema, and where winning is more important than standing up for what you believe in. I am appalled and ashamed for the Party and hope that it can someday soon regain moral clarity.
Michael Daniels
Shelbyville, Indiana
