The Bilerico Project | Florida

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"...

Florida's Senator Bill Nelson: ENDA Legislator of the Day

jillian@bilerico.com (Dr. Jillian T. Weiss) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

While we stand around, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for the doorman to check his clipboard and open the velvet rope to let ENDA inside the House for markup, we have some extra time to pull out our cellphones and dial that cute Senator playing hard-to-get. There is, by the way, some interesting news on that markup postponement, and more to come, which I will review in my Weekly ENDA Update on Monday. Today's sweetheart is Senator Bill Nelson.

Senator Bill Nelson (the second sitting Congressmember to fly in space), has generally been a supporter of the LGBT community.

But where is he on ENDA? We don't know, because he's said he's undecided. We're at 56 likely yes votes in the Senate. Those last four are a bit of a challenge, though there are 9 possible yes votes according to my calculations. Senator Nelson is one of those possible yes votes.

Please call him today to ask for his support of S1584. Also, please share this info with your social networks by clicking on the "Share" link at the bottom of this post. There, you will see buttons to share this post instantly in less than a second with your Twitter and Facebook crowds. That will help get this message out far and wide.

Facts and contact info after the jump.

Continue reading "Florida's Senator Bill Nelson: ENDA Legislator of the Day"...

Alex Sink Becomes Top Florida Official to Oppose Anti-Gay Adoption Ban

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0500

Fantastic news from our Equality Florida Broward Gala.

Last Sunday's gathering of Equality Florida activists, donors, elected leaders and volunteers was our biggest event of the year and smashed through all of our previous fundraising records. The event has triggered major headline-grabbing political news as well.

Florida CFO Alex Sink has become Florida's highest ranking official to oppose the anti-gay adoption ban.

Sink told the packed crowd of over 300 Equality Florida members, that family law judges and child welfare experts should make adoption decisions based solely on the best interest of each child.

Continue reading "Alex Sink Becomes Top Florida Official to Oppose Anti-Gay Adoption Ban"...

BREAKING: ENDA Postponed

jillian@bilerico.com (Dr. Jillian T. Weiss) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:30:00 -0500

The House Committee on Education and Labor, which was due to mark up the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) on Wednesday of this week, has announced that it is postponing its markup. A terse statement on the Committee's website states simply that "This markup has been postponed."

I had posted on Wednesday about rumors of a possible slow-down on ENDA. DC insiders said there was no slow-down, and that the bill is "on track." However, it appeared, after comparing statements made when the bill was introduced with later statements, that the House vote, initially thought to be in October or November, was now being discussed in a "December or February" timeframe. That would put the bill up before the Senate during midterm election campaigns, which could make it more difficult to gain support among conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans.

Since the House is not in session next week, the earliest date for markup would be in December. That would make it difficult to obtain a House vote on ENDA before year's end.

Continue reading "BREAKING: ENDA Postponed"...

Washington Blade, Southern Voice closed in Window Media demise

phil@bilerico.com (Phil Reese) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

UPDATED AT THE END

Disturbing news this morning. Window Media--the Publisher of the Washington Blade, the South Florida Blade, the Houston Voice, the Southern Voice, David Atlanta and 411 Magazine--has officially closed its top publications: The Southern Voice, David Atlanta and the Washington Blade.

At publishing time I had not received any confirmation on Houston Voice or The South Florida Blade's closure (both their websites were down once again, most likely due to high traffic), though an update on Fresh Loaf from former Southern Voice Editor Lauren Douglass-Brown confirms that all Window Media publications are affected.

The Blade website has been up and down all morning, presumably because of increased traffic from this story, but their Twitter feed officially confirmed the bad news:

More after the jump.

Continue reading "Washington Blade, Southern Voice closed in Window Media demise"...

Weekly Reader: Fruit Bat Fellatio, Las Vegas, & Scaring Our Elders

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0500

While I took a few vacation days this week to travel to NYC, the Editorial Team kept things plugging right along and the great contributor content didn't stop for an instant. These posts really stood out this week:

Sunday

Fellatio in fruit bats Filed by: Gloria Brame Ph.D.
Are you normal? Filed by: Michele O'Mara

Cong. Etz Chaim presents Debbie Friedman Chanukah Concert

jesse@bilerico.com (Jesse Monteagudo) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Congregation Etz Chaim, Wilton Manors' only synagogue, proudly presents the world famous, Jewish singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman in a Chanukah Concert on Saturday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. The c+ncert will be held at Temple Beth Torah, 9101 N.W. 57th Street, in Tamarac.

"Debbie Friedman has created a powerful and euphoric body of work," says the New York Times. For more than three decades, Friedman (www.debbiefriedman.com) has given the world music that is transformative, offering joy and comfort, hope and faith, healing and inspiration. She has released more than 20 albums and has performed in sold out concerts around the world. As a songwriter, she is credited with creating a whole new genre of contemporary, accessible Jewish music. Some of Friedman's Chanukah songs appeared in her album "Light These Lights: Chanukah Songs for the Whole Family." Her latest album is "As You Go On Your Way: Shacharit - The Morning Prayer," published by Farf & Gribz Records.

Tickets to the CEC/Debbie Friedman Chanukah Concert are $65 for the Front Center sections, $50 for the Side Front Sections, and $30 for the Rear Sections. Special $18 Rear Section seats are available for youth sixteen and under. For more information and ticket sales send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Congregation Etz Chaim, 1881 N.E. 26 Street, Suite 100, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 or call (954) 567-8599 ext. 1 starting on October 26, 2009.

TAKE ACTION: End Anti-LGBT Job Discrimination in Florida

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

The Florida Competitive Workforce Bill adds "sexual orientation and gender identity and expression" to Florida's civil rights law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

End Anti-LGBT Job Discrimination in Florida
Endorse the Florida Competitive Workforce Bill

Even as cities and companies across our state adopt policies banning anti-gay and gender identity-based discrimination, Florida law fails to provide any protection to LGBT Floridians against workplace discrimination.

A new bill called the "Florida Competitive Workforce Bill" would prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination at work, in public accommodations and in housing.

Please sign on as a supporter.
Help rally broad-based, bipartisan support for this bill.

Continue reading "TAKE ACTION: End Anti-LGBT Job Discrimination in Florida"...

I need your help ASAP!

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0500

This post will stay at the top of the page until midnight. New posts are underneath this one.

Projectors,

I know I was lucky enough to win the NYC Anti-Violence Project's Courage Award last night along with fellow contributor Pam Spaulding (for her own fantastic site, Pam's House Blend), Joe Jervis of Joe.My.God. and Andy Towle from Towleroad. But can you help us to win another award today?

We're only 200 votes shy from winning 1st place as Indiana's Best Blog. Think about that for a second. Indiana blog. When you think of Indiana, do you think LGBT issues? My home state didn't even have a hate crimes law until the federal government signed it into law!!

We're in 7th place currently and voting ends at midnight. Over 12.5k visitors came to Bilerico Project yesterday alone. Imagine how much we could cream the competition if everyone who visited today voted! What a landslide that would be for an LGBT blog in a Midwestern non-gay friendly state.

You can only vote once and voting ends tonight at midnight Eastern. Help us pull out the win! Please!

GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios On Washington, Maine and Our Sinful Catholic Bishops

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

I caught up with GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios on Saturday night at a "red carpet gala" in Fort Lauderdale. Jarrett has been with GLAAD for only two months but hasn't exactly had much time to rest. I'll tell you what Jarrett had to say, show you the fabulous waterfront mansion where the gala took place and share some pics of local gay glitterati. All after the break.

Continue reading "GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios On Washington, Maine and Our Sinful Catholic Bishops"...

Cong. Etz Chaim presents "Surprises from Hebrew's Golden Age"

jesse@bilerico.com (Jesse Monteagudo) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Congregation Etz Chaim, Wilton Manors' Reform synagogue, presents "Love! Humor! Chivalry! Surprises from Hebrew's Golden Age" on Wednesday, November 18, at 8 p.m. Dr. Murray H. Lichtenstein, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Classical and Oriental Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York, will rediscover unsuspected treasures from a bygone age.

The Hebrew literature composed in medieval Spain under Moslem rule is rich, varied, and indeed full of surprises. Hebrew poets of the Middle Ages sang lavishly and sensually of love, its agony, and its ecstasy. There are also plenty of comic takes on the timeless battle of the sexes, in which men and women lampoon the foibles of the opposite gender. We will enjoy the work of Jews, especially those who lived in Spain and Italy, who composed highly creative Hebrew versions of the great works being written in the world around them: clever fables in the tradition of Aesop, heroic tales of Alexander the Great, adventures of the knights of King Arthur's court, and more.

"Love! Humor! Chivalry!" will be given at Congregation Etz Chaim, 1881 N.E. 26 Street, in Wilton Manors. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information phone (954) 564-9232.

Sunday Funnies: Maine, Mormons, Guy Fawkers, & Glenn Beck

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

It was a week of big losses and big victories for the LGBT movement.

But one big winner? Biting satire calling out the ridiculousness of the anti-equality forces.

First up is the Daily Show's take on the Maine Marriage Vote:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Can't Get Queer From Here

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Can't Get Queer From Here
Maine voters want to be tolerant of gays, but they ban same-sex marriage anyway.

Weekly Reader: Gay Geeks, Election Night, & Equality March Controversy

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Thanks to this week's election night open thread and our liveblog of the Senate ENDA hearing, this was the highest traffic week ever on Bilerico Project. While those two posts were two of our highlights, out of the many posts published this week, here are some of the best:

Sunday

Guess Who Just Played the Gay Card? Filed by: Adam Bink
Apples and Androids [Gay Geeks] Filed by: Nathan Strang

Monday

Why gay marriage IS the End of the World (or the queer world, at least) Filed by: Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore
Lessons for the marginalized Filed by: Amy Hunter

Tuesday

Equality March Co-Directors Resign; Group Reorganizes Amid Controversy Filed by: Bil Browning
How Do You Just Watch a Rape? Filed by: Terrance Heath

Wednesday

The Day After a Hard Night Filed by: Kate Kendell
Update: Statement on Gender Identity Disorder and Transvestic Fetishism in the DSM-V Filed by: Kelley Winters

Thursday

Speaker Pelosi (and all your Democratic friends): I'm not waiting anymore. Filed by: Kip Williams
Marriage after Maine Filed by: Nan Hunter

Friday

The Top 10 Best Ballot Questions Ever Filed by: Alex Blaze
WWJD? Incite Hate Crimes Against LGBT People, according to this "Pastor" Filed by: Waymon Hudson

WWJD? Incite Hate Crimes Against LGBT People, according to this "Pastor"

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

The furious explosion of nutjobs over the passage of the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act continues...

Our old fundie friend, Pastor Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (yeah, that's clue number one about his point of view), is back at his gay hating ways. But this time he's taking it to a whole new level. Cass and crew are headed to DC on November 16th to protest the Hate Crimes Act in front of the Department of Justice. Their tactic?

They'll be calling for violence against LGBT people to try and get arrested so they can "prove" the Hate Crimes Act infringes on their God given right to beat up fags:

The "Rally for Religious Freedom" in front of the Department of Justice in Washington is intended to force Attorney General Eric Holder either to address the issues or be put in a position of ignoring those who say they are violating the provisions of the federal law, Cass said. "We're basically going to defy the law, and challenge it," Cass told WND. "We're going to declare the whole counsel of God, including those parts that some may consider 'inciting a hate crime' to see if the attorney general is going to come down and arrest a group of peaceful clergy exercising their First Amendment rights.

Continue reading "WWJD? Incite Hate Crimes Against LGBT People, according to this "Pastor""...

Tampa City Council Votes Unanimously to Add 'Gender Identity and Expression' to Human Rights Ordinance

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0500

An amendment to add "gender identity and expression" to the Tampa Human Rights Ordinance passed first reading and will come to the council for a final vote in two weeks.

The council voted unanimously 7-0 to move the measure to 2nd reading where the final vote will take place.

Councilmember Joseph Caetano, who originally voted no, changed his vote to yes to make it unanimous late this afternoon.

Continue reading "Tampa City Council Votes Unanimously to Add 'Gender Identity and Expression' to Human Rights Ordinance"...

Steve Kornell Wins St. Pete City Council Race!

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:00 -0500

We did it!

Tuesday night, Steve Kornell won his historic race to become the first openly gay person to win a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council.

In a contest widely praised for being a clean race that focused on the issues Steve garnered 59% of the vote.

He couldn't have done it without you.

"I envision a St. Petersburg that welcomes everyone to contribute to our city regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or any other difference," said Steve on election night.

Continue reading "Steve Kornell Wins St. Pete City Council Race!"...

Mourn the losses... Celebrate the Victories!

phil@bilerico.com (Phil Reese) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Today is not a day to be sad. Anger is a different story. We have a lot to be angry about with our community's razor-thin defeat in Maine. Its a hard pill to swallow. I've given quite a bit of my cash and time to LGBT causes over the years, but I've never given as much cash to an organization as No On One Maine. I am proud to say that I think they spent every penny carefully and deliberately, and worked their butts off to avoid mistakes of the past.

However, despite all that we gave in Maine, all the time we all took, Maine went the other way. When our relationships are voted on, this is not a normal political loss. When losing elections before, I always felt as if it were something akin to losing a really important baseball game--like the time in High School when we were stopped at States by Blissfield (I'm still convinced those Umps were biased). There's a lot of cussing and throwing things, then you move past it. It generally doesn't rock you to the core of everything you are.

There's more to what happened last night, though, than Maine. More after the jump.

Continue reading "Mourn the losses... Celebrate the Victories!"...

Justice for Ryan and Something More

guest@bilerico.com (Guest Blogger) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Editors' note: Brian Winfield is the Equality Florida Communications Director. In March of 2007, Ryan Skipper was stabbed 19 times and left to die on a dirt road in rural Polk County, Florida. He was only 25. His killers drove around in his blood-soaked car, bragging how they had killed a gay man.

A jury convicted one of Ryan Skipper's two killers of first-degree murder yesterday. It's all over the evening news. My how times change. Today was the second of two trials, both resulting in a life sentence for each of Ryan's killers. Three young Florida men whose lives are ended in one way or another.

There is no joy, no celebration, no closure, but there was justice and that's something.

It's been nearly two years and eight months since Ryan was stabbed 19 times and left for dead on the side of a Wahneta dirt road in Polk County. I've grown close to his family since then. So much so, I sometimes forget that I've never met Ryan. I feel like I know him as well as I know his friends and family members.

Maybe that just goes to show how much we carry our loved ones with us.

Continue reading "Justice for Ryan and Something More"...

Jesse's Journal: Kevin Jennings and the antigay witch hunt

jesse@bilerico.com (Jesse Monteagudo) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

In May 2009 President Barack Obama appointed Kevin Jennings to the post of Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education and Director of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the U.S. Department of Education (the so-called "safe schools czar.")

The openly gay Jennings (b. 1963) is uniquely qualified for this job. After years of distinguished service as a teacher and youth counselor, Jennings founded (1990) the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). In 1992 Massachusetts Governor William Weld (a Republican) appointed Jennings to co-chair the Education Committee of the Governor's Commission of Gay and Lesbian Youth.

Jennings has written several books addressing the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and teachers, including the Lambda Award-winning anthology Telling Tales Out of School (1998).

"It has been said that one person can start a revolution and, in the case of Kevin Jennings, ... that has never been more profoundly true," biographer Victoria Shannon wrote in glbtq.com. "For nearly twenty years, Jennings has campaigned all over the country to educate glbtq and straight teachers, parents, students, and community members about ending bias in the nation's K-12 schools."

Continue reading "Jesse's Journal: Kevin Jennings and the antigay witch hunt"...

Election Night Results Open Thread: Maine, WA State, Kalamazoo & Beyond

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:30:00 -0500

Tonight is a big night for LGBT rights and issues- Marriage Equality in Maine, Relationship Recognition in Washington State, and a Human Rights Ordinance in Kalamazoo. Add that to the openly gay candidates (Annise Parker in Houston) and races that effect our movement (the New Jersey Governor's Race), and you have a busy night for all things LGBT.

We're going to use this open thread to update election results, talk about the races, follow everything that matters to you. Jump in the comments, add the races you're watching, and give your commentary throughout the evening!

We'll be updating this post all night as results trickle in!

Maine Question 1 Results: 84% Reporting
NO (yay!): 47.4%
Yes (boo!): 52.6% *Winner-UGH*

The Associated Press has declared Yes On 1 the victor. We lost. A recount is expected.

Campaign Statement after the jump.

Washington State Referendum 71 Results: 100% Reporting
Approve (yay!): 51% *Winner*
Reject (boo!): 49%

We won Washington State. LGBT residents keep domestic partner benefits.

Kalamazoo Ordinance 1856 Results:

WINNING PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE JUMP

Yes (yay!): 65% *Winner!!*
No (boo!): 35%

More races (NJ, VA, Houston, St Pete FL, Chapel NC, & more!) and results as they come in after the jump!

Continue reading "Election Night Results Open Thread: Maine, WA State, Kalamazoo & Beyond"...