[Equality Florida Blog]

Former Student Gains Major Settlement after Enduring Years of Harassment

brian — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:32:53 +0000

EQFL NOTE: Below is a just-issued press release from our colleagues at ACLU National. It's always good to see that shcool districts are being held accountable when they do not protect all of their students.

Former Student Gains Major Settlement after Enduring Years of Harassment

Contact: Doug Honig, 206-624-2184

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2012

A former student who endured severe and persistent harassment throughout junior high and high school has gained a major settlement from the Aberdeen School District, the ACLU of Washington announced today. The ACLU has represented Russell Dickerson III in a lawsuit saying that school district officials were aware of the harassment but failed to take steps reasonably calculated to end it. Under terms of the settlement, Dickerson will receive $100,000 from the district. Additionally, the ACLU will receive $35,000 in legal fees.

“Public school officials must be held accountable when they fail to meet their responsibility to act decisively when a student is subjected to harassment by his peers. This settlement sends a message to school districts statewide to take strong action as soon as they learn that a student is being bullied,” said Sarah Dunne, ACLU-WA legal director.

“I learned from my parents that you should never give up. You should fight for your rights – you don’t just walk away,” said Dickerson.

Russell Dickerson III, now 20, is an African-American resident of Aberdeen. For six years, from 2003 when he entered junior high until 2009 when he graduated high school, other students harassed Dickerson on the basis of his race, sex, and perceived sexual orientation.

At Miller Junior High, Dickerson was called names by other students and found notes in his backpack and taped to his back calling him “stupid nigger” and “dog.” Students tripped him in the hallways and threw food at him in the cafeteria. In one incident, three students pushed him to the floor in the hallway and smashed a raw egg on his head; only one of the students was disciplined.

At Aberdeen High School, the harassment escalated, with Dickerson subjected to a continuing barrage of viciously derogatory insults about his race, physical appearance, and suspected sexual orientation. Dickerson suffered physical harassment, with other students pinching and fondling his chest, spitting on his head, and throwing objects at him. Although an assistant principal discouraged Dickerson from reporting misconduct by the student’s peers, the student and his parents repeatedly reported incidents of harassment to district administrators, both verbally and in writing. Yet the district failed to take adequate steps to end the harassment.

In 2007 students in the district created a website mocking Dickerson and his perceived sexual orientation, and posted threatening racist comments on it. Students discussed the website at school. Grays Harbor Superior Court issued a no contact order between Dickerson and one of his harassers who had threatened on the website to lynch him, yet Dickerson became the target of retaliatory harassment after reporting the website to school authorities.

The school district’s failure to act created a hostile educational environment for the student. His academic progress was hindered, he was isolated at school, he felt discouraged from using his locker, and he avoided extra-curricular activities that put him in contact with his peers. Further, the student suffered extreme emotional distress, including an inability to concentrate on studies, serious depression, despair, and anxiety.

Filed in December 2010 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, the lawsuit said that the deliberate indifference to ongoing harassment by the school district, which receives federal funds, violated federal law – Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The district’s negligent inaction also violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination.

ACLU-WA cooperating attorneys Michael Scott, Joseph Sakay, and Alexander Wu of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson P.S. and ACLU-WA staff attorneys Sarah Dunne and Rose Spidell represented Dickerson.

Video of Dickerson is available at: vimeo.com/35662397

White House Invites Equality Florida Executive Director to Greet President Obama

nadine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:42:31 +0000

Last week Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith was invited by the White House to meet the President and attend his speech at Disney World on increasing Tourism and Jobs.

I was honored to be invited as a guest of the White House to greet President Obama as he arrived at Disney World. He was there to announce a new initiative aimed at increasing jobs by boosting tourism. Shortly before he took the stage on Main Street I was part of a small group that was able to spend a few moments talking with the President. The topic of the day was a perfect opportunity to discuss Equality Florida's Equality Means Business project that was formed last year to improve Florida's national and international reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work and visit.

We are fortunate to have strong allies appointed to the expanded Tourism and Travel board including Maryann Ferenc of Mise en Place in Tampa. We discussed how Equality Means Business dovetails with the idea of ensuring Florida is a welcoming destination for diverse visitors from within the U.S. and abroad.

Increasingly lawmakers are waking up to the reality that business owners and major corporations have long understood: Discrimination is bad for business.

Florida is a large and diverse state and no single description captures the various regions and sensibilities of our state. But headlines about Florida are too often dominated by the worst kinds of bigotry.

Seven years ago Hillsborough County passed an ordinance banning any "recognition of gay pride". This blatantly discriminatory policy has cost the county and the city of Tampa millions in revenue from conferences that went elsewhere in protest.

But today, because people have come out and pushed for change in their hometowns and in schools and at work Florida is changing for the better. More and more people everyday are beginning to understand equality is good Florida, good for families and good for business. Through our continuous public education campaigns, we are winning the battle of public opinion with a strong majority of Floridians now supporting nearly every one of our pro-equality issues. (see our Winning Equality report)

We are proud to work with business leaders across Florida to build strategies that draws tourism and industry who care about the quality of life for their employees and customers. And we look forward to working with the Obama administration and the Travel and Tourism Task Force to ensure equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is part of the strategy.

Nadine Smith, Executive Director

[ACTION] Three Anti-Choice Bills Up On Tuesday

mallory — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:53:47 +0000

Call To Action!

Three anti-choice bills will be up the House Health and Human Services Access committee tomorrow. Call the committee now and let them know they should be focusing on the economy, not playing politics with women's lives. Equality Florida will be in the committee tomorrow speaking out against these bills, but lawmakers need to hear from you today. The complete committee list is below, but if you can only make a few calls, please focus on Chair Baxley and Vice Chair Roberson.

Read more about these bills and how they are "neither scientifically nor constitutionally sound" at the Florida Independent.

Sample Message:

Hello, I’m calling to urge the Representative to vote NO on three bills that interfere with the doctor/patient relationship. HB 277, HB 839 and HB 1327 do nothing to prevent the need for abortion. Instead of playing politics with women’s lives I want my elected officials to focus on fixing the economy and creating jobs. Thank you.

Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 02:00 pm

HB 277 Abortions by Burgin

HB 839 Abortion by Davis

HB 1327 Abortion by Plakon

Baxley, Dennis K. [R] Chair (850) 488-0335

Roberson, Kenneth L. "Ken" [R] Vice Chair (850) 488-0060

Perman, Steven M. "Steve" [D] Democratic Ranking Member (850) 488-5588

Berman, Lori [D] (850) 488-1662

Bileca, Michael [R] (850) 488-6506

Brodeur, Jason T. [R] (850) 488-0468

Clarke-Reed, Gwyndolen "Gwyn" [D] (850) 488-0880

Clemens, Jeff [D] (850) 488-0260

Diaz, Jose Felix [R] (850) 488-3616

Harrison, Shawn [R] (850) 488-3087

Horner, Mike [R] (850) 488-8992

Logan, Ana Rivas [R] (850) 488-2831

Pafford, Mark S. [D] (850) 488-0175

Van Zant, Charles E. [R] (850) 488-0665

Young, Dana D. [R] (850) 488-2770

NEWS ROUND UP – Cent. FL Domestic Partner Registries garner unprecedented local, state and national media

joe — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:04:40 +0000

In the last month there’s been a whirlwind of organizing and activity to create Orlando and Orange County domestic partnership registries. It’s been an emotional and intense effort that’s activated LGBT advocates, community leaders, faith leaders, business owners, elected officials and the media around a singular goal – providing legal recognition and meaningful protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families in Orange County, FL.

Below is just a sampling of the media coverage of the last few weeks. Starting in December, after the City of Orlando created Central Florida’s first domestic partnership registry, there’s been a steady and sometimes overwhelming stream of local, state and national coverage on what has become a defining issues in the region. EQFL Field Director Joe Saunders and EQFL Orlando Steering Committee members Mary Meeks and Kathryn Norsworthy are leaders in the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee. OADO has been the coalition calling for Central Florida’s first domestic partnership registries.

The work in Orange County is far from over but had a major breakthrough on Friday. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs shared with the Orlando Sentinel that she agreed an ordinance (i.e. a law) was required to fully protect our families.

WMFE: My Voice - Joe Saunders - Domestic Partnership Registry (Dec. 20, 2011)

THE ADVOCATE: Gay Couples Expected To Turn Out For Orlando's Domestic Partner Registry (Dec. 26, 2011)

ORLANDO SENTINEL: Gay activists step up push for registry in Orange (Jan. 4)

ORLANDO SENTINEL: Jacobs' first year: More ups than downs (Jan. 5)

ORLANDO SENTINEL: Orange County mayor says she's still not convinced domestic-partner registry is needed (Jan. 9)

WESH 2: Domestic Database Proposal To Go Before County Leaders; Orange County Mayor Proposes To Grant Rights To Couples (Jan. 9)

WFTV Ch. 9 – Couples line up for domestic partner registry (Jan. 11)

ORLANDO SENTINEL - Cheers and tears as Orlando registers first gay couples (Jan. 12)

ORLANDO SENTINEL EDITORIAL - Our take on: Domestic-partner registry (Jan. 12)

Joe Saunders EQFL Field Director on WMFE’s Morning Edition (Jan. 12)

CF News 13: Domestic partnership registry now open in Orlando (Jan. 12)

WESH 2 – Orlando Couples Registry Opens; Registry Gives Domestic Partners Rights (Jan. 12)

FOX 35 – Orlando starts domestic partners registry (Jan. 12)

WKMG Local 6 – Gay couples register with the city of Orlando (Jan. 12)

ORLANDO WEEKLY – Separate, not equal (Cover Story – Jan. 12)

ORLANDO SENTINEL - Jacobs: County needs ordinance for its proposed registry (Jan.13)

Domestic Partners – (Orlando Sentinel LTE by Clinton McCracken on Jan. 15)

BREAKING: Orange County Mayor Supports Registry Ordinance

michael — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:07:30 +0000

More breaking news from Central Florida. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs has told the Orlando Sentinel that she supports creating an Orange County law to protect unmarried gay and straight couples. In the past few weeks the LGBT community had grown concerned that Mayor Jacobs might have been backing away from the registry ordinance. Thank you to everyone who wrote letters, made phone calls and have shared stories with the media this week! Stay tuned for more details.

From the Orlando Sentinel blog:

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Friday that any county-based domestic partner registry would likely need to include an ordinance.

It’s potentially a key breakthrough in what has become a combative policy fight, and signals Orange County could be moving toward adoption of a registry similar to one Orlando leaders created.

“I want to make sure that if I adopt something, it does something meaningful and worthwhile,” Jacobs said. “At this point, based on the level of research that we’ve conducted, the ordinance would be helpful.”

Chiefly, it could aid in enforcing hospital visitation rights, Jacobs said.

Jacobs had raised doubts about the possibility of passing an ordinance previously, and it became a key sticking point for gay rights activists who have been pushing for a registry.

Orlando leaders recently passed an ordinance that created a registry for gay and straight couples to aid them with hospital, funeral and school visitation issues that arise with unmarried couples. Some activists feared that while Jacobs endorsed the registry concept, she might create one without an ordinance, and diminish its legal weight.

Jacobs said she’s still doing research on the registry concept and plans to meet with funeral directors and gay activists later this month. A board discussion of the registry issue could come up as early as next month, officials said.

Jacobs’ comments were welcomed by gay rights activists, who had hours earlier tried to reach out and calm what had exploded into a contentious registry fight this week.

“It’s a very positive development,” said Mary Meeks, an attorney and member of the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee.

“OADO is extremely happy that Mayor Jacobs has concluded that an ordinance is essential to implement the Domestic Partnership Registry and provide the inherent legal protections needed for us to protect our families,” the group said in a statement. “We regret the media firestorm of the last few days and applaud Mayor Jacobs for focusing on the substance of this important issue and reaching the right conclusion, as she has done in the past on issues that affect our community.”

Here’s the OADO letter activists sent to Jacobs earlier in the day.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2012/01/jacobs-county-nee...

***Photo courtesy of: orangecountyfl.net

Tea Partiers; Redistricting and Penguins

mallory — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:22:18 +0000

This was the first week of the 2012 Florida legislative session and a busy week it was. Here are some highlights from Week 1 of the Florida legislature:

First Day: Pomp and circumstance. Awake the State.

The first day of session was marked by the usual traditions of pre-congratulating each other on a wonderful session and pretending to get along. Legislators held a joint session to listen to Governor Rick Scott deliver the State of the State. He mentioned something about doughnuts. Dual rallies were also held, The Tea Party Network held a rally to "promote fiscal responsibility". The Awake the State folks also had a rally on the front steps of the Capitol, demanding a slew of pro-middle class, pro-environment, pro-woman, pro-student, pro-voter policies.

Important issues: School Prayer Bill and Redistricting

Two key issues had movement this week, school prayer and redistricting. A bill that would allow prayer at school events passed through the Senate Judiciary committee on Thursday. The Anti-Defamation League called the bill "divisive and unconstitutional" and could lead to "state sponsored speech". The ACLU warned it could alienate students from their peers. There are also concerns that the bill open the door for discrimination by teachers and students in school based on religion.

Redistricting is the hot topic for the 2012 legislative session. On Thursday the Senate held a tense discussion on race and redistricting. Wednesday, a Senate committee approved rewritten congressional and legislative maps. Senate Minority Leader, Nan Rich, proposed maps drawn up by groups like League of Women Voters, Democracia and Common Cause. Rich argued the current Senate maps packed minorities into districts leaving them Democratic leaning, which ensuring the surrounding districts would go to the GOP. Today, Rich announced she will not file amendments to the Senate redistricting maps, and that she believes the maps will ultimately go to court.

Penquins!

The Capitol isn't all serious business. Wednesday Sea World came to the Capitol and I got to touch a penquin!

U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor Religious Exemption to Discrimination Laws

brian — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:11:48 +0000

Source:

Detroit Free Press

In a landmark decision hailed by conservative Christians and advocates for religious liberty, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of a Redford Township church's firing of a teacher.

The case centered on Cheryl Perich, who developed narcolepsy and sought to keep her job, which the church said she no longer could perform.

The court's ruling upheld the legal principle that houses of worship have what's called a ministerial exception, meaning they are exempt from some government laws, such as anti-discrimination laws. Such an exception allows the Catholic Church to ban women from being priests, for example.

In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that it was legal for Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Redford Township to fire Perich after she complained she was being discriminated against because of a disability.

"Praise God for giving the justices the wisdom to uphold the religious freedom enshrined in our Constitution," said the Rev. Paul Undlin of Hosanna-Tabor.

The case started in 2005 after the church tried to remove Perich because of her narcolepsy. Perich then said she was considering legal action. The church said Perich's threat was disruptive and violated a church policy to settle disputes internally.

Perich then filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming her employment had been terminated in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a court filing said.

The U.S. government defended Perich; the church was represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and professor Douglas Laycock of the University of Virginia School of Law.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a brief in favor of Perich. "We are disappointed with today's result," spokesman Rana Elmir said.

The group Americans United for Separation of Church and State also expressed disappointment.

"Clergy who are fired for reasons unrelated to matters of theology -- no matter how capricious or venal those reasons may be -- have just had the courthouse door slammed in their faces," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of the group.

Contact Niraj Warikoo: 313-223-4792 or nwarikoo@freepress.com

BREAKING: Orlando Domestic Partnership Registry Now Open; Couples Line Up to Register

michael — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:47:48 +0000

What an exciting day in the City of Orlando! Equality Florida's State Field Director, Joe Saunders and I just left Orlando City Hall where dozens of commited lesbian and gay couples lined up to be among the first to register as domestic partners in the city's newly minted domestic partner registry. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando City Commision last month voted unanimously to create Central Florida's first domestic partnership registry. The registry will provide critical protections for these couples, including the right to hospital visitation, the right to make medical descisions and the right to participate in a partners childrens education. The passage of the registry is the result of months of work by Equality Florida staff, the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee and countless other volunteers, and it's a landmark moment for Central Florida and our state. The first couple to register was openly gay City Commisioner Patty Sheehan and her partner. Mayor Dyer was on hand to administer the first round of registrations and congratulate the happy couples. Check out the video of Mayor Dyer registering Commisioner Sheehan and her partner and the photos of the happy couples.

Couples who would like to register or are looking for more information on the registry can visit the registry page at the City of Orlando here.

Today the City of Orlando truely lived up to it's name; "the city beautiful". Onward to Orange County, and to full equality for all of the residents of Florida!

-Michael Farmer, State Field Coordinator

Questions Swirl Over What Led to Florida Drum Major’s Death

brian — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:13:58 +0000

Source:

The New York Times

EQFL NOTE: Equality Florida continues to be in contact with numerous students and officials at FAMU to ensure Robert's death is investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If you have information to share, please contact the Central Florida Crime Line at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or contact Equality Florida at 813-870-3735.

The New York Times:

Questions Swirl Over What Led to Florida Drum Major’s Death

By ROBBIE BROWN

Witnesses have told parents of Robert Champion Jr., a Florida A&M University student who recently died after a hazing incident, that the 26-year-old drum major may have been targeted because of his sexual orientation.

Wednesday 01.11.12

ATLANTA — Almost two months after the beating death of a Florida A&M University drum major, new questions have arisen over why he might have been singled out for violence.

On Tuesday, the parents of the student, Robert Champion, revealed that their son had been gay. But they said they believed that did not play a big role in the beating the authorities say he sustained at the hands of bandmates on a bus after a football game on Nov. 19.

“Robert’s being gay may have been a reason for his hazing, but it wasn’t the main reason,” said Christopher M. Chestnut, the family’s lawyer, who said he had conducted a private investigation. “This was a hazing crime, not a hate crime.”

That Mr. Champion was gay was “a private thing, not something he advertised publicly,” his mother, Pam Champion, said in an interview. Instead, she said at a press conference in Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday, her son had been targeted as retribution for his well-known stance against hazing.

Many former Florida A&M band members have alleged that the prestigious university band, the Marching 100, has a culture of musicians punching, slapping, paddling and forcing one another to perform degrading acts. Last month, a band member left the university after claiming she had been punched so hard during hazing that she was hospitalized with a broken femur, deep bone bruises and blood clots. Three students were arrested in that case and charged with hazing and battery.

The former band director, Julian White, who was fired after Mr. Champion’s death, suggested on Tuesday that this might have been an isolated case of homophobia. He said the bullying “could not have been predicted or prevented.”

“It is entirely possible that Champion’s tragic death was less about any ritualistic hazing and more tantamount to a hateful and fully conscious attempt to batter a young man because of his sexual orientation,” said Dr. White’s lawyer, Chuck Hobbs.

The line between hazing and homophobia is often blurry, said Shane L. Windmeyer, the executive director of Campus Pride, a national group for gay students, and author of several books about gay life on college campuses.

“Hazing often gets taken to a new level when its against someone who is gay,” he said. “Obviously someone’s own prejudice or fears will motivate them to haze and, in many cases, to take more extreme actions.”

From a legal perspective, Mr. Champion’s family wants assurances that the university and the band director are held responsible. If the death is tried as a hate crime, it could carry harsher criminal sentences. But in a civil lawsuit, it could undermine the family’s argument, allowing the university to distinguish a hate crime from a longer tradition of hazing, Mr. Chestnut said.

Mr. Champion did not want to be known for being gay, his mother said. “Robert was not known or defined by his sexual orientation,” she said. “He was more known for his stance against hazing.”

The family also announced Tuesday that it is suing the company that owns the bus on which the hazing allegedly occurred. Mr. Champion was hazed while the bus was parked and running, and no driver was aboard to supervise, Mr. Chestnut said.

Ray Land, the president of the bus company, Fabulous Coach Line, said his employees had followed standard procedures and responded immediately to the emergency.

“As soon as we were notified there was an issue, we responded and helped in the emergency,” he said. “We did everything within our power to keep our passengers safe.”

EQFL STATEMENT: Domestic Partnership Registries Provide Strongest Protections; Community Leaders Applaud Commissioners Support

joe — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:14:31 +0000

Media Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Jan. 11, 2012)

Contact:

Joe Saunders, Field Director, (407) 497-4986

Brian Winfield, Communications Director (727) 488-7799

Media Statement by Equality Florida Field Director Joe Saunders who is based in Orlando

Domestic Partnership Registries Provide Strongest Protections

Community Leaders Applaud Commissioners Support;

Encourage Mayor to Keep an Open Mind

Equality Florida applauds the majority of Orange County commissioners who favor a countywide domestic partnership registry. We thank those who spoke out during yesterday’s County Commission meeting and we hold out hope that Mayor Jacobs will join them in recognizing that a registry is the only way to provide the enforceable access to a range of essential protections for gay couples including hospital visitation, health insurance coverage and even funeral arrangements.

Community leaders in Orange County have worked closely over the past year with Mayor Teresa Jacobs to provide important protections and benefits. She has been an advocate for a countywide anti-discrimination law passed in 2011 and was a leading proponent of the County’s domestic partnership benefits policy passed last year that covers county employees.

Mayor Jacobs has proven herself willing to do the right thing for gay and lesbian families. It’s this history that makes her announcement Monday that she would back away from a county domestic partnership registry so troubling.

The idea being floated by the mayor of a “beneficiary agreement” is inadequate in providing legal protections for gay couples, it has no enforcement power and can be ignored by hospitals, schools and other places where relationship recognition is essential.

No committed couple should ever have to worry about their relationship being questioned in an emergency or whether they’ll be called when their partner is in a life-threatening accident. No parent should have to worry if they’ll get critical information about a child they’re raising with a domestic partner. In her short tenure, Mayor Jacobs has proven herself to be a bold leader, unafraid to buck the status the quo when challenged to do the right thing. As we continue dialogue about the best way to protect Orange County’s many LGBT families, we hope to see the same commitment to fairness, good government and honest dialogue that defined her first year in office.

For 15 years, Equality Florida has drawn on the expertise of policy experts from across the country to advise local governments in Florida on the very best ways to fill dangerous gaps in protections for unmarried couples, gay and straight alike.

Domestic partnership registries are the best way for local governments to create the strongest protections for gay and straight families. We continue to encourage Orange County leaders to model their policy after registries created in Florida communities like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Gainesville and, as of tomorrow, Orlando.

We are glad the Mayor has stated she will not stand in the way of a county vote on the full registry and we hold out hope that a sober assessment of what is at stake will cause her to reaffirm her support and vote accordingly.

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

-30-

Gingrich Tells Gay Voter: Vote for Obama

mallory — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:29:17 +0000

Yesterday, Newt Gingrich had an encounter with a gay Iowa voter and did something unusual: told him to vote for the other guy.

Professor Scott Arnold approached Gingrich and asked how he plans to engage voters who support LGBT rights and specifically marriage equality. Gingrich acknowledges that he won't get the support of those voters.

"If that's the most important issue to you then you should be for Obama." I couldn't have said it better myself, Newt. Watch the exchange at The Washington Post.

Lately, many of the Republican contenders have been challenged about their beliefs on LGBT rights. It seems to happen to Michelle Bachmann every where she goes and earlier this week Rick Perry was challenged on DADT by a 14 year old bisexual high school student.

Equality Florida Field Director contributes to NPR's "My Voice"

joe — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:00:08 +0000

Last week I visited Orlando's NPR Station (WMFE - 90.7FM) to record a short segment about our campaign for domestic partnership protections in Orange County. My contribution to WMFE's very popular "My Voice" program celebrates the City of Orlando for it's creation of Central Florida's first domestic partnership registry and calls on Orange County government to follow suit.

The recording aired this morning during the Dianne Reim show to a projected audience of 15,000 people in Greater Orlando, Volusia and the Space Coast.

Click here to listen to "My Voice" on WMFE.

BIG NEWS: Amendment 7 Thrown Off Ballot

mallory — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:40:24 +0000

Big news out of Tallahassee today. Leon County Judge Terry Lewis has removed Amendment 7 from the 2012 ballot. The amendment, put on the ballot by the Republican controlled legislature, would have lifted the prohibition on state money going to religious institutions.

Supporters of the amendment said it was to repeal a law based in anti-Catholic bigotry. Opponents of the amendment said it would have been used to give state money to private, religious based schools. The amendment would have also opened the door to LGBT discrimination throughout the state, including in areas where protections exist.

Judge Lewis threw the amendment out in a response to a lawsuit brought forward by the Florida Education Association. The amendment could still go on the ballot, however. The judge ruled that Attorney General Pam Bondi should be able to rewrite the ballot summary and then send it to voters.

BREAKING: Orlando Domestic Partnership Registry Passes Unanimously!

joe — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:22:17 +0000

I've just left Orlando City Hall where moments ago Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando City Commission have voted unanimously to create Central Florida's first domestic partnership registry!

The registry, which takes effect January 12th, will extend vital legal protections to our families. Protections offered from the registry are restricted to Orlando City limits but we expect that couples from across the region will be lining up to participate.

When the registry goes into effect, any unmarried couple who lives, works or visits Orlando can gain the right to make medicial decisions for an incapacitated partner, be notified in a life threatening emergency, visit a partner in a health-care facility and participate in the education of a partner's children.

This is such an important step in our fight for equality and we're proud to have worked with some of the most dynamic leaders in the City of Orlando. For over a year, Equality Florida has been working with activists from the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee to lay out the social and business arguments for this important policy. From the outset we found a friend and ally in Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

"I support the domestic partnership registry because I believe it keeps us competitive with other world-class communities," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "A domestic partnership registry helps us recruit employers who share our commitment to diversity while attracting and retaining a creative workforce that knows they'll have protections for their families."

Today we celebrate the leadership of Mayor Dyer and the rest of the City Commission for making Orlando a welcoming city for all families.

Tomorrow, Orlando activists will continue the fight to bring these critical protections to all of Orange County. Our hope is that Orange County government will commit to taking the protections offered by the domestic partnership registry countywide. No couple should be forced in an emergency to decide between a hospital near them or a medical facility that would recognize their partnership within Orlando city limits.

Sincerely,

Joe Saunders
State Field Director
Equality Florida

P.S. - If you live in the area join us for the victory party!
Tonight at 6:30pm the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee and our entire LGBT community will be gathering at Hamburger Mary's (110 West Church Street Orlando, FL 32801-3304) to celebrate!

LIVE NOW- Orlando City Commission Final Vote on Domestic Partnership Registry

tobias — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:18:02 +0000

Today the Orlando City Commission will hold it's first hearing on enacting a domestic partnership registry in the city. The commission meeting is currently underway and the room is packed with supporters wearing red in support of the registry.

Last week the Commission voted unanimously to move the registry forward.

Equality Florida Statewide Field Director, Joe Saunders will be addressing the commission about the importance of the registry. The commission will be bringing up the registry soon. Tune in here and click Dec. 12th meeting.

Check out this video of Mayor Buddy Dyer and prominent local attorney and equality advocate, Mary Meeks, from inside the chambers just before the beginning of the commission meeting

Check out this great update from our Statewide Field Organizer, Michael Farmer

[VIDEO] Romney bites off more than he can chew at NH restaurant

nadine — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:07:22 +0000

Source:

Boston.com

Words cannot fully express how great this story truly.

Enjoy this excerpt:

MANCHESTER, NH – It started out as a seemingly safe situation. Mitt Romney, working a friendly room at a the Chez Vachon diner here, approached an older man wearing a Vietnam Veteran cap and sidled up next to him. After some friendly banter about their ages, Bob Garon asked the former Massachusetts governor whether he supports repealing New Hampshire’s same sex marriage law. Romney said he did, saying, “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. That’s my view.” With that, it started to become clear that a routine campaign conversation could become hostile. Though Romney had no reason to know it, Garon – a 63-year-old from Epsom, N.H. -- was sitting at the table with his husband.

Oh it gets better: Before aides can move in to extract Romney from the situation, Bob Garon tells Romney:

“It’s good to know how you feel,” Garon said. “That you do not believe that everyone is entitled to their constitutional rights.”

“No, actually, I think at the time the Constitution was written it was pretty clear that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Romney replied. “And I don’t believe the Supreme Court has changed that.”

With that, a Romney aide interrupted, saying, “Governor, we’ve got to get on with Fox News right now.” “Oh,” said Garon. “I guess the question was too hot.” “No, I gave you the answer,” Romney said. “You did,” Garon said. “And I appreciate your answer. And you know, I also learned something and New Hampshire is right. You have to look a man in the eye to get a good answer, and you know what, Governor, good luck.”

Read the whole story here: http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/12/gay-veteran-q...

Hillary, Obama unite on LGBT rights and become campaign fodder in the process

michaelhinman — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:16:27 +0000

The world united against gender, racial and religious discrimination -- well, for the most part. But now, it's time to overcome another hurdle on inequality affecting millions of LGBT people. And if it's going to have any chance to succeed, removing this level of discrimination is going to take a global effort.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Geneva last week to champion LGBT rights -- even at the risk of angering Arab and African diplomats in the audience who believe homosexuality should remain a capital crime.

"It should never be a crime to be gay," Clinton said.

Yet, homosexuality is not just discriminated against in many parts of the world, but it's actually a crime in nearly 80 countries with penalties ranging from time in prison to death. Yes, believe it or not, being gay in some parts of the world is treated the same as if they were a murderer.

But Clinton and President Obama want to make it clear that it's time for this shameful treatment of an entire group of people to end. While it might be well-received by the global LGBT community, the fact is, the United States is almost hypocritical in its stance. While homosexuality itself is not an enforceable crime in this country anymore, there is still rampant and widespread discrimination.

Civil unions are starting to pick up in different places around the country, but finding a place to get married as a same-sex couple is still difficult in the United States. And even if you did find a place, good luck forcing another state to recognize it. Hillary's husband, President Bill Clinton, outlawed gay marriage at the federal level in the 1990s.

However, strides are being made. After years of struggle, LGBT discrimination in the U.S. military finally ended this year, and overall public acceptance of equality has grown in recent years. Yet, there are still many -- including a few with loud voices and eyeing the White House -- who would like to stop it dead in its tracks.

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry is one of those people. He released a video message last week that linked Christianity with homophobia, directly attacking allowing LGBT soldiers who openly serve in the military.

As of this past weekend, Perry's video has earned more than 4.7 million views. It might be easy for some to claim that's a lot of support for Perry's message. But you have to look at those numbers a little more closely ... According to YouTube's own public statistics, 18,600 people said they liked the video. Yet another 610,000 said they didn't like it at all.

Perry isn't alone. Other Republican presidential hopefuls joined the attack on Obama's global equality policy. I'm sure this will be hard to believe, but Rick Santorum agreed.

Clinton has a tough road ahead of her to push this policy. Not just here, but abroad. But she's going to push it anyway.

"Leadership, by definition, means being out in front of your people when it is called for," she said. "It means standing up for the dignity of all citizens and persuading your people to do the same."

Daily Show Correspondent Crashes Gov. Scott Press Conference

mallory — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:43:45 +0000

Governor Rick Scott's press conference today on his proposed budget was a little more exciting than usual. Assif Mandvi, a Daily Show correspondent, showed up to ask the Governor a very important question. Mandvi stood up and asked the governor if he would be willing to pee in a cup since tax payer money is going toward his job.

The Governor responded, "I've done it plenty of times."

Mandvi then attempted to pass a cup through the crowd to the Governor. When the Governor didn't take the cup Mandvi said, "I hate to keep harping on this, but will you pee into the cup?"

One can only imagine this was filmed for a Daily Show segment on the law requiring state employees to take a drug test and another on welfare recipients.

Assif Mandvi grew up in the Tampa area and attended USF, majoring in theatre.

We Did It! Thank You for "liking" us and helping us reach our goal!

sue — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:44:15 +0000

A big "thank you" to everyone on Facebook who helped us reach our goal!

Last week Florida businesswoman Amy Mandel challenged us to find 500 new Facebook fans and commited to donate $5 for every person who joined the conversation.

We are thrilled to announce that because of your enthusiastic support we shattered our goal! In the past week more than 1,135 new people have "liked" our Facebook fan page - and there's more joining everyday.

Let's keep up the momentum. Help us increase our number to 20,000 total likes. With a crucial election year approaching, it's important we stay in touch with our community and members.

Please LIKE our facebook page, and if you already do, post on your own wall and tell your friends!

http://www.facebook.com/equalityfl

Rick Perry Attacks Gay Soldiers; Would Reinstate DADT

mallory — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:36:58 +0000

Rick Perry recently came out with a new ad touting his faith and attacking gay soldiers. Watch:

Perry also did an interview with ABC News' Christine Amanpour saying he would feel comfortable reinstating DADT. Here's the transcript (pulled from the Washington Blade) from that interview:

Christine Amanpour: As president, would you reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — even if commanders, as they have done, have said that openly serving gays and lesbians have not many any difference to operational security or any kind of morale?

Rick Perry: I think you go back and sit down with your commanders in the field and have that conversation. I think “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” worked very well, and —

Amanpour: So you would reinstate it?

Perry: I think it worked very well.

Amanpour: But would you reinstate it?

Perry: I think the idea the president of the United States wanted to make a political statement using our men and women in the military as the tool for that was irresponsible.

Amanpour: Do you think it was a political statement?

Perry: Absolutely.

Amanpour: So many allied governments — whether it’s Israel, whether it’s England or France — have done that and they say they have strengthened their armed forces, and you remember, during the Iraq war, there were so many gay people who couldn’t serve in desperately needed positions and that harmed national security. You would really reinstate it?

Perry: I don’t necessarily agree with your premise. What I agree with is that the president of the United States [was] changing policy that was working well — and to do it while we were at war in two different theaters, I think, was irresponsible. And I truly believe he did it to respond to his political base.

Amanpour: You were in the Air Force. Would you have been uncomfortable serving with openly gay members of the Air Force?

Perry: I don’t ask that question. I think that’s the issue right there. If an individual, in their private life, makes a decision about their sexuality from the standpoint of how they’re going to practice it, that’s their business. I don’t think that question needs to be asked. That’s the reason “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was, in fact, a workable policy, and that’s where I would be comfortable with our country going back to that.