Gay Democrats Blast Fenty

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club approved a resolution tonight condemning Mayor Adrian Fenty for firing Clark Ray, who had been the openly gay director of the District Department of Parks and Recreation.

The members of the club, made up of politically active gay Democrats, called Fenty's decision to fire Ray "a slap in the face."

The resolution, orchestrated by longtime gay rights activist Peter D. Rosenstein, opens up a significant fissure between Fenty and some members of the gay community, a group he heavily courted in the 2006 campaign.

"Today's firing of Clark Ray as Director of Parks and Recreation is a slap in the face to the GLBT community," the resolution stated, noting how there will now be no openly gay member of the cabinet. "In a city with a huge GLBT population, which supported you in large numbers, that is unacceptable."

The resolution goes on to raise questions about Fenty's judgment in removing Gray. "It is clear to most that Mr. Ray performed his duties in a way that was a credit to the administration," it stated.

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Committee is now requesting that Fenty "meet with us to explain the firing" and find ways to "ensure that the GLBT community will be represented at the highest levels of your administration," according to a copy of the resolution, which is being sent to Fenty.

--Tim Craig