Political Notebook: Speaker Pelosi declines Pride invitation

[helderheid]

by Matthew S. Bajko
[email protected]

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi shakes hands with a participant at the 2000 San Francisco Pride Parade. Photo: Darlene/PhotoGraphics

Don't look for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at this year's Pride Parade and festival. The San Francisco Democrat and congressional leader declined an invite to speak at this year's celebration on Sunday, June 24.

Pride Executive Director Lindsey Jones said Pelosi, the first woman to be elected speaker of the House, received the most votes from Pride's membership as the person they most wanted to hear speak at this year's event.

"We asked Pelosi to come speak," said Jones. "Our membership voted her as the number one requested speaker."

Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill told the Bay Area Reporter that the speaker's schedule does not allow for her to return to San Francisco during Pride weekend. Due to her duties as speaker, Hammill said Pelosi's ability to attend community events is limited, and her absence should not be seen as a slight against the LGBT community.

"Last week, the speaker celebrated her 20th year in Congress. I think it is important to note when she came in 1987 one of the first things she spoke about on the floor her very first day was the need for Congress to take leadership to fight AIDS," said Hammill. "Her commitment to the community has not wavered in those 20 years."

Joining Pelosi in citing a scheduling conflict as to why she, too, must decline Pride's invite to speak is Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D), who also was selected by the Pride membership as someone they wanted to give an address this year.

"She is sending a proclamation and hopes to come next year," said Jones.

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http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=1924

[Elspeth]

1. Is she sending a spokesperson or a prominent member of her staff?

Or maybe she can send Rahm Emmanuel. He's not doing anything but mucking things up.

[William769]

2. Maybe shes afraid of being out dressed?

[fed-up]

3. I'd like a copy of her schedule......... nt