Is South Dakota Really a Red State?

The recent posting by Don Frankenfeld on the Hog House blog maintained by Denise Ross formerly of the Rapid City Journal got me thinking about South Dakota politics. In his column Don tells why he, a conservative Republican, has joined the Board of Directors for the newly formed Equality South Dakota, which supports and advocates for equal rights and protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It is a great column and well worth reading.

Many people see South Dakota as ultra conservative and hostile towards not only lgbt concerns but to any progressive and liberal thinking. While it may seem that way recently with control of the Republican party being in the hands of right wing religious extremists, I don't see that as the traditional thinking in South Dakota. Politics in South Dakota do not indicate this in the long term.

South Dakota has produced the likes of Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle. There is also a very strong Libertarian streak in South Dakota which says that while we may not all agree, we all have a right to be here and to live our lives according to our own beliefs. The fact that the draconian abortion ban was so soundly defeated and the anti gay marriage amendment came within two percentage points of loosing says a lot about the moderate nature of the real political view points in South Dakota.

The marriage amendment actually lost in 11 counties here in Western South Dakota which is supposed to be the most conservative part of the state.

Don Frankenfeld is part of a moderate group of conservative Republicans here in South Dakota which includes the likes of Stan Adelstien who was very supportive of South Dakotans Against Discrimination last year in their fight to defeat the marriage amendment.

South Dakota may be considered a red state. However, we are well on the way to making it a lavender state. In the near future I see Equality South Dakota not only pushing to have the marriage ban repealed but to have protections in place for LGBT people living and loving here.

The fight for equality will be won or lost in the small states like South Dakota. That is because in the large states they talk about six degrees of separation. In South Dakota it is two degrees of separation. It is the news of our lives and our own personal stories and contacts that make the difference and win hearts and minds. That is much easier to do in South Dakota than in New York City or Washington DC. Equality is won one heart at a time. To accomplish those victories people have to know you. In South Dakota every one knows everyone else. Good Neighbors don't discriminate!!