The Bilerico Project | Florida

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"...

Statement from Ryan Skipper's Family about today's Guilty Verdict

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:30:00 -0500

After two hours of deliberations, a jury of 12 has found William Brown, Jr. guilty of first degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon.

From Ryan Skipper's Family:

We would like to thank the State Attorney's Office and especially Mr. Castillo for consistently striving to uncover the truth and seek justice for our family and for Ryan. We want to thank the detectives of the Polk County Sheriff's Office who worked diligently and showed compassion to our family. Thank you to the crime scene technicians whose attention to detail helped uncover the truth. And thank you to everyone else along the way who committed their time and talent to ensuring that justice was served. Lastly, we thank the jurors who have taken time fromheir jobs and families to fulfill an important civic duty. You paid attention to testimony that was brought before you and rendered a conclusion that serves justice and benefits society.

To the public, we want you to know that Ryan, like so many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, was a good and upstanding member of this community. We all deserve to be judged by our abilities and character instead of our differences. We are all human beings and we all deserve the right to pursue happiness, to have a job, to be parents either naturally or by adoption, to be in a committed loving relationship which is legally recognized, to serve our country in the military openly and honestly with pride. Finally we want the public to know the devastation hate crimes inflict is not only on the individual victim but their families, friends and the entire community feels the impact.

We will always cherish our memories of Ryan. We along with countless others will continue to honor Ryan by always standing up for truth, honesty and equality for all!

Continue reading "Statement from Ryan Skipper's Family about today's Guilty Verdict"...

Verdict expected today for 2nd defendant in Ryan Skipper's murder

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0500

UPDATE: After two hours of deliberations, a jury of 12 has found William Brown, Jr. guilty of first degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon.

We'll be updating this as trial info comes in:

BROWN TRIAL ADVISORY: Equality Florida to Join Bartow Press Conference Today

Immediately following the verdict and sentencing in the William David Brown, Jr. trial, expected to occur this afternoon in Bartow, Brian Winfield of Equality Florida will join Ryan Skipper's family in a press conference outside of the Bartow courthouse on 255 Broadway. Equality Florida is the statewide LGBT advocacy organization which initially raised awareness about this anti-gay hate crime and has supported Ryan's family since the crime occurred.

At Joseph Bearden's trial in February of this year, Assistant State Prosecutor Castillo and Judge Hunter expressed their opinions that Ryan Skipper was savagely killed because he was gay.

Continue reading "Verdict expected today for 2nd defendant in Ryan Skipper's murder"...

Call The Transgender Language Police!

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Although Wilton Manors (Fort Lauderdale) is a diverse community any day of the year, on Halloween, even fluid identities get delightfully scrambled. Yesterday, at the annual Wicked Manors festival, the emcee, local drag queen Misty Eyez, had a tough time keeping contestants and categories in order. Her parsings are sure to spook some of the linguistically touchier members of the transgender community, but please keep in mind that if you can't be forgiving on Halloween, when can you be?

Video and photos of this fun event after the jump.

Continue reading "Call The Transgender Language Police!"...

One Human Family - It Works In Key West

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

The "Official Philosophy" of Key West is written in tile near the Aids Memorial on the beach at the end of Duval Street. Among the locals ("conchs"), this way of life is more than just a marketing effort.

Having lived in or visited most of the well-known gay/diverse/inclusive communities in the western world, I was surprised by the unique quality of life in Key West.

Continue reading "One Human Family - It Works In Key West"...

Sunday Funnies: InfoMania's 'Conversion'

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

The brilliant and irreverent satirist Bryan Safi, from my favorite nerdy show on my favorite nerdy channel - InfoMania, is back exploring more LGBT issues and stereotypes as they are portrayed by the clueless media and pop culture.

This clip is from this week's show and deals with something we've talked about a lot here on Bilerico- ex-gay conversion therapy. And don't worry, Bryan. I guess I've been doing it wrong too...

Tired of being gay? Well, Richard Cohen and his Ex-Gay cohorts can help. Join Bryan Safi as he navigates the world of conversion therapy. You never know, you might be able to rearrange that pesky DNA!

Continue reading "Sunday Funnies: InfoMania's 'Conversion'"...

Weekly Reader: Faggots, Child Witches, & Ryan White

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0500

I think this was one of Bilerico's best weeks ever. Not only did we have some highly popular emotional and entertainment posts this week, but our political coverage was spectacular. What other LGBT site covered the hate crimes bill signing - and gave you personal posts from contributors who attended? Combine that with our Ryan White Act reporting and a big dose of health care breaking news and you've got a recipe for Bilerico! Here are the posts you won't want to miss from the past week:

PS - Did you go vote for Bilerico Project as the best blog from Indiana? Help us win first place (We're in 10th currently! A bunch of corporate blogs are beating us!).

Sunday

TV ads aren't the answer in Maine Filed by: Matt Foreman
The Gay Hate Crimes Crisis Isn't Over Yet Filed by: David Badash

Monday

I have a problem with faggots Filed by: Bil Browning
War is anti-LGBTQ Filed by: Alex Blaze

GLBT History Month Icons: B.D. Wong

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0500

The 31 GLBT History Month Icons, living or dead, are selected for their achievements in their field of endeavor, their status as a national hero, or their significant contribution to GLBT civil rights.

Today's Icon is B.D. Wong. B.D. Wong is an award-winning actor best known for his television roles on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Oz," and his Broadway debut in "M. Butterfly."

For more information on GLBT History Month 2009, visit www.glbthistorymonth.com.

Obama Signs Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act and Announces End of HIV Travel Ban

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0500

President Obama announced an end to the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban during the signing ceremony for the vital Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act this afternoon.

The travel ban, a legacy of Jesse Helms, has been in place since 1987. It prevented HIV+ non-U.S. citizens from traveling or immigrating to the United States unless granted a special waiver from the the Department of Homeland Security.

Here's some of what Obama had to say (Read the full transcript here):

Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel ban on entry into the country for people living with HIV/AIDS. Now, we talk about reducing the stigma of this disease -- yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic -- yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country.

If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it. And that's why, on Monday my administration will publish a final rule that eliminates the travel ban effective just after the New Year. Congress and President Bush began this process last year, and they ought to be commended for it. We are finishing the job. It's a step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment, it's a step that will keep families together, and it's a step that will save lives.

Video & more after the jump...

Continue reading "Obama Signs Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act and Announces End of HIV Travel Ban"...

GLBT History Month Icons: Gus Van Sant

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Today's Icon is Gus Van Sant. Gus Van Sant is an Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter whose films include "Good Will Hunting" and "Milk."

For more information on GLBT History Month 2009, visit www.glbthistorymonth.com.

Rusty Gordon, 1942-2009. A community pioneer who will be sorely missed.

guest@bilerico.com (Guest Blogger) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0500

Editor's Note: Today's guest post about the sad news of Feminist & LGBT Warrior Rusty Gordon's death comes from South Florida activist Bill Vayens. Gordon was listed as one of the "Feminist who Changed America" in the book by Barbara J. Love in 2007.

Rusty Gordon, a pioneer in the women's and LGBT movements, passed away last evening after a long illness.

She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. As a music producer in the 60's, she began producing women's concerts and festivals in the 70's and was an early supporter of lesbian musical artists.

In the late 60's she founded the Whimsey Political Clearinghouse in South Florida, with a focus on women's studies and LGBT issues. She was well known in NOW circles in South Florida and nationally and helped found the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Last year she was named Chair Emeritus of the Caucus, after having served as its vice president for many years.

Continue reading "Rusty Gordon, 1942-2009. A community pioneer who will be sorely missed. "...

The gayest doll ever

alex@bilerico.com (Alex Blaze) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0500

Why didn't I ever get one of these to play with? It's the new "Palm Beach Sugar Daddy" Ken doll, a modernization of the "Oscar Wilde" Ken doll that never existed.

I might have to get one myself, because I still haven't found my sugar daddy yet and I'm not getting any younger.

GLBT History Month Icons: Urvashi Vaid

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Today's Icon is Urvashi Vaid. Urvashi Vaid is an attorney, author, activist and the Executive Director of the Arcus Foundation. In 2009, Out magazine named Vaid one of the 50 most influential men and women in America.

For more information on GLBT History Month 2009, visit www.glbthistorymonth.com.

Help Us Stop Murder Music in Miami

nadine@bilerico.com (Nadine Smith) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0500

It's been just one month since five Florida performances were announced for Buju Banton. Since then, three venues have canceled the notorious singer whose lyrics call for the torture and murder of gay people.

His song "Boom Bye Bye" is advocates pouring acid on LGBT people, "burning them up bad like an old tire wheel", and shooting them in the head with an AK-47. He also sings "Anytime Buju Banton come, f--gots get up and run ... they have to die".

Do your part to stand up to anti-gay incitements to violence. Sign the letter to venue owners and elected officials.

Buju Banton is still scheduled to perform in three Florida cities this week. Thursday, Oct. 29th, in Jacksonville, Friday. Saturday, Oct. 31st, in Miami; and a new date was added for Friday, Oct. 30th, in St. Petersburg.

While other cities in Florida and across the country have canceled Bantons concerts, the venues in Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, and Miami have not yet responded. We're calling upon the venue owners and elected officials to take a stand against hate.

Continue reading "Help Us Stop Murder Music in Miami"...

The Bilerico Project | Florida

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

Steve Kornell Wins St. Pete City Council Race!

Mourn the losses... Celebrate the Victories!

Justice for Ryan and Something More

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

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

Statement from Ryan Skipper's Family about today's Guilty Verdict

Verdict expected today for 2nd defendant in Ryan Skipper's murder

Call The Transgender Language Police!

One Human Family - It Works In Key West

Sunday Funnies: InfoMania's 'Conversion'

Weekly Reader: Faggots, Child Witches, & Ryan White

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Bilerico Nation

GLBT History Month Icons: B.D. Wong

Obama Signs Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act and Announces End of HIV Travel Ban

GLBT History Month Icons: Gus Van Sant

Rusty Gordon, 1942-2009. A community pioneer who will be sorely missed.

The gayest doll ever

GLBT History Month Icons: Urvashi Vaid

Help Us Stop Murder Music in Miami