by Eric Resnick

Columbus--Ohio will send 11 LGBT delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, beating the delegate selection plan�s target by one.

The party�s executive committee appointed eight LGBT delegates at its May 10 Ohio convention. Those are added to the three elected in January by congressional district caucuses.

Many of the appointed delegates had previously attempted to win at their local caucus, but were not seated either because the candidate they backed dropped out of the race or did not reach the 15 percent viability threshold in their district during the March primary election.

LGBT delegates are ensured by the Democratic National Committee�s delegate selection plan and the Ohio Democratic Party�s plan, both of which attempt to include constituency groups that have been traditionally under-represented.

When selecting at-large delegates, the Ohio Democratic Party gives priority to African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, women and LGBT candidates.

In 2004, Ohio sent 12 LGBT delegates to the national convention in Boston. Ohio�s plan calls for 10. In 2000, only five were chosen.

At least 17 LGBT Ohio Democrats began the process of becoming delegates this year by filling out the application and checking the �LGBT� box.

LGBT delegates elected to represent their congressional district are Obama delegates David Mann of Toledo and Jason Bristol of Cleveland; and Clinton delegate Robert �Bo� Shuff of Columbus.

At-large LGBT Ohio delegates for Clinton are Sandy Anderson of Dublin, near Columbus; Melanie Falls of Walton Hills, near Cleveland; Caroline Gross of Columbus; Sarah Hamilton of Grove City, near Columbus; and Leslye Huff of East Cleveland. Michael Council of Columbus is an alternate.

Those pledged to Obama are Alycia Broz and Terry Penrod, both of Columbus.

The Democratic National Convention will be August 25 to 28 in Denver.�