A Pennsylvania native and former campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) has been selected by the Democratic National Committee as its director of LGBT engagement.
Sean Meloy, 28, is tasked with organizing LGBT support throughout the country for the DNC ahead of next year’s convention in Philadelphia and the 2016 presidential election. Previously, the position was temporary, filled only during election cycles.
“This position is meant to work on ensuring that the DNC and the LGBT community are aligned in working towards equality,” Meloy told PGN. “I will work with and engage advocacy and political groups across the country at the local, state and federal levels.”
The Pittsburgh-area native and Penn State grad will also promote openly LGBT candidates and incumbents, as well as pro-LGBT legislation.
Meloy said that while significant advances have been made in the past few years — crediting in large part President Obama — there’s a long way to go.
“Especially in states like Pennsylvania where there are no LGBT protections at the state level,” he noted. “But we want to let everyone know the Democrats are on their side.”
Occupying a majority of his time is preparing for and ensuring the success of the convention next year, which he said includes exceeding the diversity and inclusivity of the last convention.
“I make sure that the LGBT representation of attending delegates exceeds the 2012 Charlotte, N.C., convention,” Meloy said. “We want to have a good group of delegates that represent people and states from all over the country.”
Part of Meloy’s responsibilities has been to refresh existing and establish new connections with the LGBT community and allies across the country.
“They’re not just in cities and solid blue states — LGBT people are all over the country, and Democrats are everywhere,” he said. “That’s one thing I am working on on behalf of the DNC: to connect everyone so they have a stronger sense of community.”
The director of LGBT engagement operates under the umbrella of the DNC’s community-engagement department, which includes staff charged with engaging various minority and other constituent groups.
“The department is actively connecting with Latino, African-American, women, veterans, different ethnic groups and others,” Meloy said. “We are all responsible for bringing their issues to the table.”
Meloy has extensive advocacy-planning and coalition-building experience. He has run several Congressional campaigns, worked in the nonprofit sector and is a certified teacher.
Most recently, he served as a campaign manager for Public Knowledge, a telecommunications and Internet advocacy group focused on promoting net neutrality.
The DNC’s director of LGBT engagement position was last held by Jeff Marootian, from 2011-13.