The Bilerico Project

Florida Competitive Workforce Bill Filed To Add Anti-Discrimination Protections Statewide

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

I applaud the filing of the Competitive Workforce bill in the Florida House of Representative. House bill 391, filed by Rep. Kelly Skidmore, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Florida's civil rights statues.

Currently, it is legal to discriminate against someone in employment, housing and public accommodations because that person is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). The bill would add these categories into laws that already protect Floridians based on race, age, disability, sex and religion.

"I am proud to be the sponsor of this very important legislation," said Representative Skidmore, "I look forward to working with Equality Florida and all Floridians who believe that discrimination is wrong and ought to be illegal."

As the Competitive Workforce Bill was being filed, the Tampa City Council voted to add "gender identity and gender expression" to its existing human right ordinance, which already includes sexual orientation protections.

"Even as cities and companies across our state adopt policies banning anti-gay and gender identity-based discrimination, Florida law fails to provide statewide protection to LGBT Floridians against workplace discrimination," said Mallory Wells, Public Policy Director for Equality Florida, "Equality Florida is working with fair-minded legislators to introduce this legislation because no one should lose their job because of who they are."

Organizations and businesses can sign online to support the Competitive Workforce Bill.

BREAKING NEWS: Tampa Adds Gender Identity Protections

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0500

The Tampa City Council should be commended for expanding non-discrimination protections to those who live, work and visit the city. Tampa is the latest city in Florida to add "gender identity" to its human rights ordinance that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation.

Today's action comes at the request of the Tampa Human Rights Council led by its Chair, Phil Dinkins. Equality Florida has worked closely with the council in the months leading up to today's vote and assisted with documenting the clear need for such protections.

Equality Florida was born out of the struggle to expand Tampa's non-discrimination protections so they include the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Today's vote, while long overdue, makes it clear that Tampa is a leader in Florida when it comes to protecting its citizens.

One extreme right organization launched an effort to derail today's vote, but Equality Florida members and allied organizations including Pride Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough LGBT Democratic Caucus stepped up and sent 3,096 emails to various Tampa City Council members encouraging them to stand strong in their conviction to protect all citizens. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, BB&T Bank, PepsiCo/FritoLay and other leaders in the business community spoke out debunking wild claims by the opposition by recounting the positive impact inclusive policies have had for their companies.

Continue reading "BREAKING NEWS: Tampa Adds Gender Identity Protections"...

On Oct 11th: Take Action in DC or Take Action Locally

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0500

On Oct 11th: Take action in DC or take action locally.

We stand at the brink, at a moment of unprecedented possibility in the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality across America.

All our legislative victories so far have come at the state and local level where we have secured anti-discrimination laws, hate crimes provisions, school bullying prevention measures and domestic partner protections and now, in six states, marriage recognition.

While have seen Supreme Court victories and have defended against some federal legislative attacks, in the 40 years since Stonewall, not a single piece of federal legislation has passed that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. For the first time in our lifetimes, that is about to change.

Continue reading "On Oct 11th: Take Action in DC or Take Action Locally"...

Maine: National Day of Action Sept 27th

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Maine is the critical battleground in the fight for marriage equality and our side is leading in the polls by a slim majority.

Please commit 2.5 hours on Sept 27th to phone Maine voters. Even better, commit to finding 3 more people in your organization or your own personal network who will do it with you.

This is a crucial and very easy way to help. All you need is a phone and a computer with an internet connection. Even people who've never used a computer before had no problem mastering the online auto-dial phone system.

Please spread the word to your own network:

Maine: National Day of Action September 27th

Marriage equality is under attack in Maine, and no matter where you live, there's something you can do about it.

Far right extremists have imported their national anti-equality agenda to the Pine Tree state with the goal of stripping away marriage rights.

The same group that bankrolled Prop 8 in California has set up shop in Maine and has out fundraised the local effort by 2-1.

Despite that, polls show fairness is winning by a slim margin, thanks to the local grassroots No On 1 effort to protect Maine equality.
But we can't leave them alone to stand their ground. We need to rally to support the local effort

No matter where you live, there is a way to help win this fight.

***All you need is a phone and a computer with an internet connection. No long distance fees, no dialing- the web-based software does it all.

We have set a goal of enlisting 500 people across the country to donate 2.5 hours to call Maine voters using a virtual phone bank on Sunday, September 27th .

Sign up as an organization or as an individual and you will get all the information you need to be a part of the Sept 27th Maine Day of Action.

Click here to sign up right away or paste this link into your browser: www.protectmaineequality.org/phoneformaine
.

UPDATE: U.S. Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Reaffirms Support for Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Here's a quick update on Equality Florida's conversations with Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.

Today, she issued a statement today reaffirming her strong opposition to Don't Ask, Don't Tell. She also encourages us all to focus our efforts on those who have not yet signed. Constituent messages are particularly valuable for her colleagues.

To that end Equality Florida, Progress Florida and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network have teamed up to get our supporters to sign on to a letter that will be delivered to Congress.

Here's the link. Below (after the jump) is the release her office put out today. Please take a moment to sign the letter to Congress.

Continue reading "UPDATE: U.S. Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Reaffirms Support for Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell"...

What Were You Doing 25 Years Ago?

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:00:00 -0500

As a college student I helped to found the International Gay and Lesbian Youth organization along with a team of amazing activists aged 15-24.

This past week IGLYO celebrated 25 Years with a huge conference in Amsterdam that brought the original board and all the successive leaders together.

I couldn't make the trip but here are some pictures from way back when we we all young and brave. Most are photos I'd never seen until now.

Here's the message I sent to young activists who now run IGLYO for the intergenerational dialogue:

Continue reading "What Were You Doing 25 Years Ago?"...

AAA South Pledges Family Memberships to Same-Gender Spouses

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0500

During a face-to-face meeting yesterday between Equality Florida and AAA South, top management at the 4th largest AAA affiliate in the country committed to recognizing all spouses, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The policy allows gay married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA's Associate Membership program.

Equality Florida launched conversations with AAA several months back after receiving calls from gay couples who had been denied family memberships.

Tom O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer, AAA Auto Club South, said:

We had not talked about this issue very much at all until you reached out to us, and that has caused us to talk about it quite a bit. Our policy does include gay and lesbian spouses, wherever they were married. Whether in other states or countries, they qualify.

Continue reading "AAA South Pledges Family Memberships to Same-Gender Spouses"...

"No Excuses. No Delays." Do we really mean it?

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:30:00 -0500

At a recent speaking engagement, I asked a group of people what the world would be like if from the day they were born prejudice had never touched their lives.

No homophobic bullying in school. Supportive families at homes No trans-bashing humor on TV.

No workplace discrimination. Equal treatment of all families regardless or orientation or gender identity.

No closet, ever, because you had never, ever needed one.

Most of the people responded by talking about new laws that would be in effect but they struggled to name the deeper, more personal impact on the texture of their daily lives.

A few talked about what they would no longer fear but struggled to articulate what affirmative would replace those fears.

And one man wept and said it broke his heart that he could not imagine, even for a moment, what his life would have been without the constant presence of bigotry and hatred he'd endured for more than 60 years.

Continue reading ""No Excuses. No Delays." Do we really mean it?"...

It is important to say these things out loud

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0500

President-elect Barack Obama believes "marriage is between a man and a woman".

Barack Obama does not think gay couples' relationships are worthy of the same stature as his and Michelle's.

He does not believe that gay couples deserve the precise same legal recognition or status that his marriage confers to him and his wife.

He believes we should have a different, inherently lesser, legal framework to protect each other and our children.

It is important to say these things out loud.

Continue reading "It is important to say these things out loud"...

Fla Poll shows Amendment 2 more likely to lose

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Some good news from Florida about Amendment 2 - but don't grab the champagne yet. This poll in the Sun-Sentinel was conducted before the big far-right church tour that begins today and before their deceptive barrage of robocalls, radio and television ads hit the airwaves. We have to keep our foot on the gas all the way across the finish line.

It is a strong indication that we can and will defeat this if good people here and across the country continue to donate time and money as we reach the final days.

Visit VoteNoOn2.com to find out how you can volunteer a few hours no matter where you live and make a difference in this crucial swing state election.

Continue reading "Fla Poll shows Amendment 2 more likely to lose"...

Phoning for Florida

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0500

The pollsters say "It's too close to call"... So we need you calling with us!

Join the Phoning for Florida effort from anywhere in the country and help us defeat Amendment 2. If you have a telephone and an internet connection, you can help us educate and mobilize fair-minded voters in these final, crucial weeks and help defeat the so-called "Florida Marriage Amendment."

The latest polls show that support is declining as more people understand the harmful impact on gay and straight couples alike. We still have an enormous number of people to reach before election day and you can help.

Already allies in Oregon, Maryland, DC, North Carolina, New York and Georgia have stepped up to help hundreds of Florida volunteers get our message out.

Continue reading "Phoning for Florida"...

He sure consoled the heck out of his nipple

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0500

While CNN reporter Allan Chernoff was on air yesterday morning reporting about the crash and burn of Lehman Brothers, he got an extra special background when two men "pretended to make out" behind him. Chernoff didn't notice, but CNN anchor Kiran Chetry did.

Console each other? Is that what the young people are calling it these days?

Disturbing Video: The Law Is "Supposed To Discriminate" Against Gays

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0500

Florida State Rep. Darryl Rouson says he didn't remember calling gay people immoral during a television program in 2006 or describing them as unfit to adopt children.

He did not remember saying this:
"I think it's wrong to allow adoptions of children by gay and lesbian couples."

Or this:
"I still think that there ought to be ways for us to provide a loving environment for children without sending a wrong message to them early, or a message that we have to sit down and try to explain some psychological damage or emotional damage or something later on in life."

Or this one either:
"I think that lesbianism and homosexuality is morally wrong and the law's supposed to discriminate sometimes."

Watch the video and read Rep. Rouson's reply to me when I contacted him about it after the jump...

Continue reading "Disturbing Video: The Law Is "Supposed To Discriminate" Against Gays"...

McCain's Security Ousts Black Reporter Covering Florida Event

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0500

Media outlets in Florida are asking why John McCain's security detail ousted the only black reporter covering his visit to Panama City, Florida. Also troubling, a reporter who asked why her credentialed colleague was being hauled out of the event was removed as well.

Tallahassee Democrat senior writer Stephen Price showed his employee identification as well as his credentials for the Friday event. None of his fellow state reporter colleagues were asked for ID.

Here's a quote from the Tallahassee Democrat:

Tallahassee Democrat Executive Editor Bob Gabordi said the incident was unwarranted.

"We're deeply concerned and disturbed that our reporter -- of all of those in that area -- was asked to move," Gabordi said. "My understanding is that Stephen was the only reporter approached and asked to leave the area, and the only reporter in that area who is black. Another reporter who stood up for Stephen was then asked to leave."

Continue reading "McCain's Security Ousts Black Reporter Covering Florida Event"...

They Aren't Fooling Us In April or November

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:37:49 -0500

Dennis Patrick, his partner, Tom Patrick, and their four adopted children lost their family health benefits after Michigan passed a constitutional amendment banning legal recognition of same-sex partners.

Those backing the amendment promised voters it would not hurt unmarried couples.
They lied.

The same thing is happening all over the country, and it will happen in Florida unless we defeat Amendment #2, the so-called "Marriage Protection Amendment" in November.

Spread the word to everyone you know in Florida.

View the video after the jump.

Continue reading "They Aren't Fooling Us In April or November "...