Equality Florida Blog

Senate Panel hears ENDA Testimony

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:44:00 +0000

Originally Posted by the Washington Blade

http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=27967

Senate panel hears ENDA testimony

GOP senators, trans witnesses absent from hearing

By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington Blade

Nov 5 2009, 7:17 PM

"A Senate hearing Thursday for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

alternated between tales of discrimination and wrangling over the

bill's exemptions for religious groups.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee heard

testimony on the bill that would bar job bias throughout the country

against LGBT people in the workforce. It was the first Senate hearing

on ENDA since 2002.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the sponsor of the legislation in the

Senate, said during the hearing that ENDA is necessary to ensure equal

opportunity for all Americans in the workforce.

"We are on the path to one of those struggles for human progress, for

a struggle to have full equality under the law — full equal

opportunity," he said. "There can never be equal opportunity as long

we do not have equal opportunity for employment. Discrimination is

simply wrong."

The bill, which has 42 co-sponsors, would bar discrimination in the

public workforce based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Exempt from the bill are religious institutions, the U.S. armed

forces, veterans' groups and businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chair of the committee, said ENDA was

important to ensure "equal treatment for all," and noted the success

many states and businesses have seen in adopting similar practices.

Twelve states have enacted laws barring discrimination in the

workforce based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and another

nine states bar discrimination on sexual orientation alone. Among

businesses, 87 percent of Fortune 500 companies have non-

discrimination policies for gays, while 41 percent have such policies

for gays and transgender people."

BREAKING: Tampa Moves Closer to Adding Gender Identity Protections

noreply@blogger.com (Equality Florida) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:34:00 +0000

ACTION: Take a moment to Thank the City Council for taking this important step:
www.eqfl.org/thanktampa

UPDATE: The vote is now unanimous. Caetano changed his vote later this afternoon.

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 6-1 to move the measure to 2nd reading where the final vote will take place. Councilmember Joseph Caetano was the sole no vote.

Business leaders in the Tampa Bay area including Manny Alvarez of BB&T Bank and Nick Kouris from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida spoke in favor of the measure as a common sense approach to creating an effective workplace where people know they will be judged based on merit not prejudice.

Here's an excerpt of his comments:

My name is Nick Kouris. I am the senior business development manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida’s West Region.

I work out of our Tampa regional office in the Westshore district. A brief summary of our comapny: We are a Florida based, tax-paying mutual non-profit company based in Jacksonville and employ roughly 6,000 individuals statewide with 230 of our employees based here in Tampa. We are the state’s largest insurer with over 4 million insured in our health business and 7.7 million customers served in all of our lines of business.

I am proud to say that we implemented policies to protect our employees from gender identity and expression discrimination in the workplace two years ago. We believe that it makes good business sense. But even beyond any business case that can be made, we felt it was and is, simply, the right thing to do. Our CEO, Dr. Bob Lufrano, has consistently demonstrated the kind of admirable leadership in word and deed that has made it possible for our company to transform our working environment into one that encourages all of our employees to be fully present in the workplace.

We believe that this is a good business practice. We have observed that an employee who feels safe, respected, and valued on his or her own merits and abilities without the fear of discrimination, is an empowered employee. And an empowered employee will tend to demonstrate greater degrees of innovation, perform better, and show greater willingness to lead than an employee who may be faced with the ongoing threat of workplace discrimination.

In a highly competitive business environment, it makes good business sense to attract and retain the very best employees. This is why we consider a culture based on inclusion and respect to be a competitive advantage. Such a culture encourages our employees to stay and to perform at their very best.

I thank the Council again for this opportunity to represent Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and to speak briefly to our commitment to foster a culture of inclusion and respect for all of our 6,000 employees statewide.

Phil Dinkins, chair of the Human Rights Board requested the measure be brought forward last month. Fellow Board member Frank Roder also spoke in favor of the measure.

High School Students Demand Teacher Be Reinstated

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Farmer) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:14:00 +0000

A teacher at Southwestern High School in Piasa, Ill., will be reinstated after having been suspended for a controversial reading assignment. Hundreds of Dan DeLong's students showed up at a six-and-a-half-hour school board meeting to urge members to keep the 10th-grade English teacher on staff. DeLong had been suspended after a parent of one unidentified student asserted that an assignment on homosexuality in the animal kingdom was inappropriate.

According to The Telegraph newspaper in Alton, Ill., 200 students and supporters lined the stairs, sidewalk, and office space at the school district's office holding handmade signs and banners in support of DeLong. After a five-hour closed-door executive session, the floor was opened to members of the public who wanted to weigh in. Two spoke in support of the teacher, and no one spoke in opposition. Junior Bonita Stevey also presented the board with a petition in support of DeLong.

See the full story here.

Equality Florida Action PAC Election Results

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:20:00 +0000

Equality Florida Action PAC Election Results
	Name	Running For:	District:	About:
City of St. Petersburg
	Kathleen Ford	Mayor		LOST
				LOST
	Steve Kornell	City Council	District 5	WON
				WON
	Karl Nurse	City Council	District 6	WON
				WON

City of Miami Beach
	Matti Bower	Mayor		WON
				WON
	Jerry Libbin	City Commission	Group 1	WON
				WON
	Sherry Roberts	City Commission	Group 2	LOST
				LOST
	Michael Gongora	City Commission	Group 3	RUNOFF
	Michael won the primary and is now headed to a runoff against Alex Fernandez and Gabrielle Redfern. Michael Gongora led the 3-way race garnering 42% of the vote, falling just short of the 50% needed to avoid a run-off election. Michael now faces Alex Fernandez and Gabrielle Redfern in a race on November 17th. Click here to support Michael.			RUNOFF

City of Miami
	Joe Sanchez	Mayor		LOST
				LOST

Justice for Ryan and Something More

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Winfield) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:22:00 +0000

A jury convicted one of Ryan Skipper’s two killers of first-degree murder just hours ago. 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.

These are such amazing people.

Pat Mulder, Ryan's Mother

Ryan’s friends reached out to Equality Florida in the days and weeks after his murder because they saw an injustice and refused to sit idly by while the media-seeking Polk County Sheriff recklessly blamed Ryan, in part, for his own death and soiled the one thing he had left – his reputation. Accusations were stated as facts - it didn’t matter that the killers were the only source and they would say anything to minimize their atrocity.

In the shadow of those unfounded accusations, most of the media toed the line and stayed far away from Ryan’s story. I doubt we would even know the name “Matthew Shepard” if Grady Judd had been Sheriff in Laramie, WY.

In the following days, Equality Florida worked with dozens of people who never met Ryan but were moved by his story and the love of his friends and family. Within two weeks we had organized vigils in 14 cities to memorialize Ryan and to call attention to the hate violence that took his young life. Over 1,000 people came out to say, “No more.” No more senseless killings, no more gay-bashings, no more treating LGBT people as less than equal, and no more silence in the face of such violent hate crimes.

Because of Ryan’s friends and their dedication to preserving his reputation, the Sheriff’s office was forced to retract those careless statements. In a Lakeland Ledger interview , Sheriff's Chief W. J. Martin acknowledged that what was said was based solely on comments from the two suspects who were, “trying to minimize their involvement to make themselves look better."

What amazes me most is Ryan’s family – Pat and Lynn Mulder , Ryan’s mom and step-dad, and Damien Skipper, Ryan’s big brother. In perhaps the deepest despair in human experience, this family said, “No more.” No more bad can come from Ryan’s existence. They knew how precious and good Ryan was and demanded of the world that something good come out of this tragedy. And the world responded…

Ryan’s senseless murder has spawned several non-profit organizations, including the Ryan Keith Skipper Foundation and Gay American Heros. The talented Vicki Nantz has documented Ryan’s story in a short film – ACCESSORY TO MURDER: Our Culture's Complicity in the Death of Ryan Skipper. The list goes on and on.

Lynn, Pat and Damien have worked tirelessly to educate people about anti-LGBT hate crimes and the devastating impact they have on entire communities. But they didn’t stop there. They’ve traveled to Tallahassee and recently even the White House to lobby and spread their message of treating our fellow human beings with respect, maybe even love. Whether speaking to two or 2,000, they make sure people know Ryan’s story.

What was most clear today is that all this hard work continues to pay off and is making the world a better place. During the course of this trial, our nation passed the first Federal legal protections for LGBT people and Damien stood at the President’s side to celebrate the victory. The media covered today’s verdict in force – having set aside those unfounded accusations. And while Sheriff Judd has never offered an apology, we have to believe it’s ego and not a lack of understanding that prevents such healing.

I stood among heroes today and I am humbled. With Ryan’s friends, family, Vicki and her partner Mary Meeks, the tireless Rev. Hunt and others gathered, we watched and appreciated that the wheels of justice surely turn. With the final verdict in and justice served, we had a hard time leaving. We stood there united by the experience but also by the knowledge that, because of Ryan, we’d created something more.

Buju Banton Promoter Claims $100,000 loss on Miami Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Equality Florida) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Miami - The Reggae concert featuring two artist known for gay-bashing lyrics lost $100,000 money in the wake of public outrage surrounding their performance, according to the show's promoter.

Buju Banton and Beenie Man have provoked international condemnation for songs that advocate the murder, maiming and torture of gay men and lesbians.

Buju Banton's song "Boom Bye Bye" has become an international gay bashing anthem and his failure to denounce and distance himself from the murderous lyrics has caused venues across the country to cancel his show.

Equality Florida members across the state called, emailed and met in person with venue managers to educate them about the lyrics that advocate murdering gay people with AK-47s, acid, fire and by lynching.

Elected officials and community leaders spoke out against the lyrics.

Venues in Tampa, St.Pete, Orlando and Tallahassee canceled performances. The Cuban Club in Tampa barred Buju Banton for performing the song.

Citing First amendment concerns, management at the publicly owned Knight Center said they could not cancel the show, but the outrage appears to have cost the reggae dancehall singer and the show's promoter support.

Some Banton supporters believed the controversy would increase ticket sales and began spotlighting him as the headliner but ticket sales in Miami never reached even modest projections according to reports.

The shows promoter complained to an Equality Florida member that he had personally lost $100,000.

Equality Florida has requested that Buju Banton denounce his lyrics that call for the murder of gay people, stop performing the song and stop profiting from its sale.

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

noreply@blogger.com (Equality Florida) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:16:00 +0000

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.

"The third significant reason for why Ryan Skipper was killed was because of his sexual preference.
In the mind of that man right there (points to Bearden), and in the mind of Bill Brown, his life was less precious, less important, less significant than those of a heterosexual person.
That he was weak, he was easy, in their terms, a faggot. Not a big deal...The brutality of the crime just adds to it....
The extent of the injuries in this case are the result of hatred, contempt, utter disregard for another human being because he's gay.
That's why it happened. That's exactly why it happened. They just didn't care."

Assistant State Prosecutor, Cass Castillo (closing argument, Feb 26, 2009)

"I believe that this young man was killed in part because he was an easy target, I believe he was killed in part as a motive for robbery, and I believe he was killed in part because he was gay."

Judge J. Michael Hunter (sentencing, Feb. 27, 2009)

Republican Primary for Governor?

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:26:00 +0000

There have long been rumors that state Senator Paula Dockery would challenge AG Bill McCollum for the Republican nomination for Governor. The Ledger, Dockery's hometown newspaper in Lakeland, is reporting that "multiple Republicans sources," say she will enter the race for governor next week.

Dockery was elected to the state House in 1996 and to the state Senate in 2002. She is known has a moderate Republican and led the charge last year to kill the commuter rail deal that would have gone across the I-4 corridor.

Republican primaries for statewide races have been heating up lately. Marco Rubio is making ground in his primary battle against Charlie Crist for the US Senate. Holly Benson, former state representative, just announced she will run against Lt. Governor Jeff Kottcamp, for the Republican nomination in the Attorney General's race. (Too bad neither can beat Equality Florida endorsed candidate Dan Gelber.)

If Dockery does enter the race, there is the possibility that both major parties will nominate women for the governor's office, the first time in state history. (Democrats are likely going to endorse current Florida CFO Alex Sink.)

President Obama ends ban on HIV travel

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:54:00 +0000

It has been a great week for LGBT Americans. Earlier today President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Act and lifted the ban HIV travel and immigration ban.

Here is the President's full statement:

THE PRESIDENT: We often speak about AIDS as if it's going on somewhere else. And for good reason -- this is a virus that has touched lives and decimated communities around the world, particularly in Africa. But often overlooked is the fact that we face a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic of our own -- right here in Washington, D.C., and right here in the United States of America. And today, we are taking two important steps forward in the fight that we face here at home.

It has been nearly three decades since this virus first became known. But for years, we refused to recognize it for what it was. It was coined a "gay disease." Those who had it were viewed with suspicion. There was a sense among some that people afflicted by AIDS somehow deserved their fate and that it was acceptable for our nation to look the other way.

A number of events and advances over the years have broadened our understanding of this cruel illness. One of them came in 1984, when a 13-year-old boy from central Indiana contracted HIV/AIDS from a transfusion. Doctors assured people that Ryan White posed no risk to his classmates or his community. But ignorance was still widespread. People didn't yet understand or believe that the virus couldn't be spread by casual contact. Parents protested Ryan's attendance in class. Some even pulled their kids out of school. Things got so bad that the White family had to ultimately move to another town.

It would have been easy for Ryan and his family to stay quiet and to fight the illness in private. But what Ryan showed was the same courage and strength that so many HIV-positive activists have shown over the years and shown around -- show around the world today. And because he did, we didn't just become more informed about HIV/AIDS, we began to take action to fight it.

In 1990, the year Ryan passed away, two great friends and unlikely political allies, Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch, came together and introduced the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act -- the CARE Act -- which was later named after Ryan.

In a few minutes, I'm going to sign the fourth reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. Now, in the past, policy differences have made reauthorizations of this program divisive and controversial. But that didn't happen this year. And for that, the members of Congress that are here today deserve extraordinary credit for passing this bill in the bipartisan manner that it deserves: Tom Harkin and Mike Enzi in the Senate, we are grateful to you for your extraordinary work; Speaker Pelosi, who's always leading the charge on so many issues; Frank Pallone, Jr., Joe Barton, Barbara Lee and Donna Christensen in the House, thank you for your extraordinary work -- oh don't worry, I'm getting to Henry. (Laughter.) Nancy is always looking out for members, but we've got a special section for Henry.

And Chairman Henry Waxman, who began holding hearings on AIDS in 1982, before there was even a name for AIDS, was leading here in Washington to make sure that this got the informed attention that it deserved and who led the House in passing the original Ryan White legislation in 1990.

I also want to acknowledge the HIV community for crafting a consensus document that did so much to help move this process forward. Some of the advocates so important to this legislation are with us here today: Ernest Hopkins from Cities Advocating for Emergency AIDS Relief; Frank Oldham, Jr., President and CEO of the National Association of People with AIDS; and Julie Scofield, Executive Director of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

And I'm especially honored that Ryan's mother, Jeanne White-Ginder, is here today. For 25 years, Jeanne had an immeasurable impact in helping ramp up America's response to this epidemic. While we lost Ryan at too young an age, Jeanne's efforts have extended the lives and saved the lives of so many others. We are so appreciative to you. Thank you. (Applause.)

You know, over the past 19 years this legislation has evolved from an emergency response into a comprehensive national program for the care and support of Americans living with HIV/AIDS. It helps communities that are most severely affected by this epidemic and often least served by our health care system, including minority communities, the LGBT community, rural communities, and the homeless. It's often the only option for the uninsured and the underinsured. And it provides life-saving medical services to more than half a million Americans every year, in every corner of the country.

It's helped us to open a critical front on the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. But let me be clear: This is a battle that's far from over, and it's a battle that all of us need to do our part to join. AIDS may no longer be the leading killer of Americans ages 25 to 44, as it once was. But there are still 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, and more than 56,000 new infections occur every single year.

Some communities still experience unacceptably high rates of infection. Gay men make up 2 or 3 percent of the population, but more than half of all new cases. African Americans make up roughly half of all new cases. Nearly half of all new cases now occur in the South. And a staggering 7 percent of Washington, D.C.'s residents between the ages of 40 and 49 live with HIV/AIDS -- and the epidemic here isn't as severe as it is in several other U.S. cities.

So tackling this epidemic will take far more aggressive approaches than we've seen in the past -- not only from our federal government, but also state and local governments, from local community organizations, and from places of worship.

But it will also take an effort to end the stigma that has stopped people from getting tested; that has stopped people from facing their own illness; and that has sped the spread of this disease for far too long. A couple of years ago Michelle and I were in Africa and we tried to combat the stigma when we were in Kenya by taking a public HIV/AIDS test. And I'm proud to announce today we're about to take another step towards ending that stigma.

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. (Applause.)

We are continuing the work of crafting a coordinated, measurable national HIV/AIDS strategy to stem and suppress this epidemic. I'm pleased to report that the Office of National AIDS Policy, led by Jeffrey Crowley, has already held eight in a series of 14 community discussions in cities across the country. They've brought together faith-based organizations and businesses, schools and research institutions, people living with HIV and concerned citizens, gathering ideas on how to target a national response that effectively reduces HIV infections, improves access to treatment, and eliminates health disparities. And we are encouraged by the energy, the enthusiasm, and great ideas that we've collected so far.

We can't give Ryan White back to Jeanne, back to his mom. But what we can do -- what the legislation that I'm about to sign has done for nearly 20 years -- is honor the courage that he and his family showed. What we can do is to take more action and educate more people. What we can do is keep fighting each and every day until we eliminate this disease from the face of the Earth.

So with that, let me sign this bill. (Applause.)

Famed Golden Girl Leaves $300k to homeless LGBT youth

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Farmer) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:22:00 +0000

The estate of late actress Bea Arthur gave a top homeless youth service organization $300,000 for its operations.

Carl Siciliano, executive director of the Ali Forney Center in New York City, said his organization was "overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them and to help them rebuild lives."

The announcement comes after the center released details on a plan to establish a house to accommodate 12 homeless youths and name the building in Arthur's honor.

The Ali Forney Center offers food, emergency housing, medical treatment, HIV testing, and educational training for as many as 1,000 young people annually.

See the original story here.

UPDATE: Buju Banton Gets New Tampa & Orlando Venues

noreply@blogger.com (Equality Florida) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:31:00 +0000

TAMPA: Cuban Club Ybor Oct 30th

I just talked to the Cuban Club (Jocelyn). She said they booked him and have asked him NOT to perform the song Boom Bye Bye. I let her know that Buju Banton has never renounced the song and that he continues to profit from calling for the murder, maiming and torture of gay people. I also let her know he has reiterated his position in the Jamaican media stating: There is no end to the war between me and the faggots. Please sign on to the letter calling on venues to stop giving a platform to those who incite violence.

Please contact:

Cuban Club Tampa
Box Office (813) 248-2954

Email: cubanclubtampa@verizon.net

N Avenue Republica De Cuba

Tampa, FL 33605-3653

http://www.cubanclub.org

SPEAK UP!

Sign the letter

We will present this letter to venue owners and elected officials

ORLANDO: Destiny Night Club NOV 1st

While the Hard Rock in Orlando cancelled the show, it has been rescheduled at Destiny Night Club.

Pleas take a moment to reach out to the club and let them know they are giving a platform to someone who advocates the murder of gay people.

Destiny Night Club

7430 Universal Blvd.Orlando, FL 32819

Phone 407.351.9800

Fax 407.351.9803

http://destinynightclub.net

Laura M. Ramos

V.P. of Operations

Text: 407-744-8718

http://www.myspace.com/divasofdestiny

Controversial Video of Crist as Hitler Surfaces

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:28:00 +0000

A controversial anonymous video has surfaced online that depicts Charlie Crist as Adolf Hitler. The video depicts an unhappy Crist/Hitler ranting at his staff about the gains Marco Rubio has made in the Republican primary for the US Senate.

Watch the video:

The Republican Party and Jewish groups have condemned this video, and rightly so. It is entirely inappropriate to depict Governor Crist, or any of our leaders (like tea baggers were doing to President Obama), as the greatest villian in modern history, a man responsible for killing millions.

Dr. Jeffrey Feingold, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida's Jewish Leadership Council, released this statement about the video:

"I find it in completely distasteful and utterly wrong that someone would create a video which attempts to compare the Governor of the State of Florida to Adolf Hitler, a man who committed persecution and genocide against millions of people, for political purposes. This blatantly insensitive video has no place in the U.S. Senate Campaign and its creators, whoever they are or whoever they are affiliated with, should be ashamed. This video is not only offensive to members of the Jewish community, it is offensive to all Americans, and I, on behalf of all Florida Republicans, condemn this video and demand a full investigation to find out who is behind this disgraceful political attack video."

It's good to see the Republican Party taking such a strong stance against hate imagery. Now, I'm sure you can see where I'm going next with this. We, meaning everyone including both Democrats and Republicans, need to condemn hate speech and hate imagery whenever it comes up in the political discourse. How can we expect to move forward and together come up with real solutions to our greatest problems if we keep invoking the worst parts of our history? Republicans, or any other politician, should not be allowed to spew hate at LGBT constituents and then be utterly appalled when an attack ad comes out during the course of a political campaign. It's either or folks.

Double Victory in Tallahassee

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:21:00 +0000

A major victory came yesterday out of the state's capital. The Tallahassee City Commission voted unanimously to provide domestic partner benefits for same-sex employees. City employees with now be able to add their partners in health, dental, vision and other benefits.

In a double victory, the city also agreed to include sexual orientation and gender identity under the city's anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.

Commissioner Andrew Gillum has a brother who is gay and said he has heard his brother discuss being a "second-class citizen".

"I'm just very proud of the Commission today for considering this," said Gillum.

Tallahassee Mayor John Marks said, "Quite frankly, I was surprised we had not done this a long time ago. All individuals should be treated equally."

A big congratulations to the local group of people in Tallahassee, including an Equality Florida board member, who have worked for months to get this change.

Inspiring Remarks form Obama Upon Signing Hate Crimes Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Stratton Pollitzer) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:15:00 +0000

"Because no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love." Barack Obama

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 28, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT RECEPTION COMMEMORATING THE ENACTMENT OF THE MATTHEW SHEPARD AND JAMES BYRD, JR. HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT

East Room

5:45 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much, everybody. Thank you so much, and welcome to the White House.

There are several people here that I want to just make mention of because they helped to make today possible. We've got Attorney General Eric Holder. (Applause.) A champion of this legislation, and a great Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. (Applause.) My dear friend, senior Senator from the great state of Illinois, Dick Durbin. (Applause.) The outstanding Chairman of Armed Services, Carl Levin. (Applause.) Senator Arlen Specter. (Applause.) Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the House, Representative John Conyers. (Applause.) Representative Barney Frank. (Applause.) Representative Tammy Baldwin. (Applause.) Representative Jerry Nadler. (Applause.) Representative Jared Polis. (Applause.) All the members of Congress who are here today, we thank you.

Mr. David Bohnett and Mr. Tom Gregory and the David Bohnett Foundation -- they are partners for this reception. Thank you so much, guys, for helping to host this. (Applause.)

And finally, and most importantly, because these were really the spearheads of this effort -- Denis, Judy, and Logan Shepard. (Applause.) As well as Betty Byrd Boatner and Louvon Harris -- sisters of James Byrd, Jr. (Applause.)

To all the activists, all the organizers, all the people who helped make this day happen, thank you for your years of advocacy and activism, pushing and protesting that made this victory possible.

You know, as a nation we've come far on the journey towards a more perfect union. And today, we've taken another step forward. This afternoon, I signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. (Applause.)

This is the culmination of a struggle that has lasted more than a decade. Time and again, we faced opposition. Time and again, the measure was defeated or delayed. Time and again we've been reminded of the difficulty of building a nation in which we're all free to live and love as we see fit. But the cause endured and the struggle continued, waged by the family of Matthew Shepard, by the family of James Byrd, by folks who held vigils and led marches, by those who rallied and organized and refused to give up, by the late Senator Ted Kennedy who fought so hard for this legislation -- (applause) -- and all who toiled for years to reach this day.

You understood that we must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits -- not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear. You understand that the rights afforded every citizen under our Constitution mean nothing if we do not protect those rights -- both from unjust laws and violent acts. And you understand how necessary this law continues to be.

In the most recent year for which we have data, the FBI reported roughly 7,600 hate crimes in this country. Over the past 10 years, there were more than 12,000 reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation alone. And we will never know how many incidents were never reported at all.

And that's why, through this law, we will strengthen the protections against crimes based on the color of your skin, the faith in your heart, or the place of your birth. We will finally add federal protections against crimes based on gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. (Applause.) And prosecutors will have new tools to work with states in order to prosecute to the fullest those who would perpetrate such crimes. Because no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability.

At root, this isn't just about our laws; this is about who we are as a people. This is about whether we value one another
-- whether we embrace our differences, rather than allowing them to become a source of animus. It's hard for any of us to imagine the mind-set of someone who would kidnap a young man and beat him to within an inch of his life, tie him to a fence, and leave him for dead. It's hard for any of us to imagine the twisted mentality of those who'd offer a neighbor a ride home, attack him, chain him to the back of a truck, and drag him for miles until he finally died.

But we sense where such cruelty begins: the moment we fail to see in another our common humanity -- the very moment when we fail to recognize in a person the same fears and hopes, the same passions and imperfections, the same dreams that we all share.

We have for centuries strived to live up to our founding ideal, of a nation where all are free and equal and able to pursue their own version of happiness. Through conflict and tumult, through the morass of hatred and prejudice, through periods of division and discord we have endured and grown stronger and fairer and freer. And at every turn, we've made progress not only by changing laws but by changing hearts, by our willingness to walk in another's shoes, by our capacity to love and accept even in the face of rage and bigotry.

In April of 1968, just one week after the assassination of Martin Luther King, as our nation mourned in grief and shuddered in anger, President Lyndon Johnson signed landmark civil rights legislation. This was the first time we enshrined into law federal protections against crimes motivated by religious or racial hatred -- the law on which we build today.

As he signed his name, at a difficult moment for our country, President Johnson said that through this law "the bells of freedom ring out a little louder." That is the promise of America. Over the sounds of hatred and chaos, over the din of grief and anger, we can still hear those ideals -- even when they are faint, even when some would try to drown them out. At our best we seek to make sure those ideals can be heard and felt by Americans everywhere. And that work did not end in 1968. It certainly does not end today. But because of the efforts of the folks in this room -- particularly those family members who are standing behind me -- we can be proud that that bell rings even louder now and each day grows louder still.

So thank you very much. God bless you and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END 5:53 P.M. EDT

Help Us Stop Murder Music in Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:31:00 +0000

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" 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. 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.

"Boom Bye Bye" has become an international gay bashing anthem. In 2004, Brian Williamson, Jamaica's leading gay activist, was violently chopped to death with a machete in his apartment in Kingston. A reporter walked to his street shortly after the murder and found a crowd of people gathered outside Williamson’s apartment singing and celebrating his murder and shouting the chorus of “Boom Bye Bye”.

SPEAK UP!

Sign the letter

We will present this letter to venue owners and elected officials

and if you're in Miami...

SHOW UP!

And tell us you're coming

we will be holding a press conference and community rally

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30

4:00PM

at the

James L. Knight Center

400 SE 2nd Ave

Equality Florida staff have received an unprecedented flood of hate mail and threats in response to our public opposition to Banton's hateful lyrics. One staff member received a letter stating: "YOU ARE STARTING A WAR IN WHICH YOU WILL BE KILLED" And another says "YOU'LL BE 6 FEET UNDER PERMANENTLY."

WE MUST STAND UP TO THESE HATEFUL ATTACKS

So far, due to an outpouring of opposition from Equality Florida members and community allies, management at the venues in Tampa and Orlando have canceled Banton's performances; the Tallahassee event in now listed as withdrawn on the Eventful.com website; and Toyota has dropped it's sponsorship of the Miami event. Jacksonville management has not responded.

Join Equality Florida along with elected officials, community leaders, and partner organizations including Save Dade, Unity Coalition, and Pridelines for a community response to performers who incite violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

Friday, October 30th 4:00pm
at the James L. Knight Center
400 SE 2nd Ave

Let us know that you're coming

noreply@blogger.com (Equality Florida) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:51:00 +0000

SAD NEWS : Rusty Gordon has died. Rusty is the mother of the LGBT movement in Florida and fought for women and LGBT rights. I was one of many taken under her generous wing. She believed in Equality FL when it was just a gleam in our eye. Our movement has lost a peaceful warrior and we all have lost a dear friend.
Nadine

Ryan Skipper Foundation on Hate Crimes Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:46:00 +0000

The Ryan Keith Skipper Foundation
"To educate and promote the acceptance of diversity"

October 27, 2009
Media Contact:  Vicki Nantz
Phone:  321-277-0908
Email:  VGNantz@aol.com

Family of Murder Victim Ryan Skipper Comments on Tomorrow's Signing of Matthew Shepard Act:

We are happy that the Matthew Shepard Act, adding sexual orientation to the existing federal hate crimes law, will finally be signed into law at the White House on Wednesday, October 28, by President Obama. We would be attending the signing ceremony at the White House pursuant to the invitation extended to us by U.S. Representive Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, except that we are currently attending the murder trial of the man accused of murdering our son, which is the reason that the Matthew Shepard Act is so important. Had this legislation passed at an earlier date, the man who killed our son, Ryan Skipper, would have faced an additional federal charge, with an additional punishment, and there would have been federal resources available that would have enabled a thorough investigation of the anti-gay bias surrounding this horrible crime. Tragically, none of that currently applies today at the murder trial for the man accused of killing our son.

Thank you,
Ryan's Family
Lynn and Patricia Mulder and Damien Skipper

####

The Ryan Keith Skipper Fund & Foundation is a part of the 501c3 Community Foundation of
Greater Lakeland, at 4720 Cleveland Heights Blvd. in Lakeland, Florida, 33813.

President Has Signed the Hate Crimes Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:33:00 +0000

This afternoon President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act into law. It is the first federal law that provides protections for LGBT people, after 14 separate Congressional floor votes.

Under the new law the Justice Department will have the power to investigate and prosecute bias motivated violence based on the victim's sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. Other categories already included in the law are race, color, religion, national origin and disability. The law also provides the Justice Department with the ability to aid state and local jurisdictions by lending assistance or taking lead in investigations where a local entity is unable to do so. Grants will also be made available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by minors and train law enforcement officers.

The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 28, 2009 by the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and others. The US House of Representatives voted on October 8, 281-146 in favor of the legislation. The Senate passed the bill with a vote of 68-29.

Sen. Arlen Specter pushes for LGBT equality

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:11:00 +0000

United States Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) wrote the following piece in the Huffington Post supporting equality for LGBT Americans. Specter made news earlier this year when he switched parties from Republican to Democrat.

"Time to Repeal DOMA

The time has come to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Enacted 13 years ago when the idea of same sex marriage was struggling for acceptance, the Act is a relic of a more tradition-bound time and culture.

Connecticut, Iowa, and Massachusetts have already passed laws recognizing same sex marriage and other states are moving in that direction. The states are the proper forum to address this divisive social and moral issue, not the Federal Government with a law that attempts to set one national standard for marriage.

Prohibition showed just how difficult it is to enforce law establishing standards of personal behavior or morality. Coercion, whether civic or legal, in matters of this kind rarely works. It certainly won't halt public controversy surrounding the issue.

The repeal of DOMA is one step among several designed to fully integrate and protect the rights of gays and lesbians in American society. Recently enacted hate crimes legislation is another. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S 909), which I sponsored with the late Senator Kennedy, makes it a federal crime to target victims on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. President Obama has said he will sign the measure.

Nothing in the Act impedes the lawful expression of one's political or religious beliefs. All Americans are entitled to hold and express their own beliefs, no matter how provocative. At the same time, no person has the right to engage in violent acts of hate or incite to violence. Protecting Americans against such hate crimes does not inhibit free speech but rather serves us all by halting and penalizing those who carry out those acts of cruelty.

Measures to combat discrimination against gays and transgendered people in the workplace are another needed measure. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009, of which I am an original cosponsor, was introduced on August 5, 2009 and is currently before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Finally, the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is outdated, and should be rescinded entirely. A person's sexual orientation has no bearing on their ability to serve their country in the armed services. Countless studies and the experiences of gays who have served in the military have borne out these findings."

Obama to sign Hate Crimes Bill on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:07:00 +0000

From ABC News:

On Wednesday, President Obama will sign the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill into law. The signing ceremony comes 11 years after the death of Matthew Shepard.

The new law will protection victims of hate crimes based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability.

The President will sign the bill and make remarks at 4:45pm on Wednesday.

Hate Crimes Passes the US Senate

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:23:00 +0000

Moments ago, after a decade of work, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act has passed the United States Senate by a vote of 68 to 29.

It is the first federal law protecting LGBT people. This truly is a moment to celebrate.

Hate Crimes in US Senate Today

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act will be on the Senate floor for a vote this morning. The Act is an amendment on H.R. 2647, the Department of Defense Authorization bill.

To watch the Senate this morning click here.

UPDATE: The Senate achieved cloture on the Department of Defense Authorization Bill minutes ago with a vote of 64 to 35. Now the Senate will debate the Conference report and will be followed by a full vote.

Heard on the Floor: Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) gave a statement on the bill. He said this is the first time in his 15 years he will be voting against the DOD Authorization bill. He stated he supports most of the provisions in the bill, including pay raises for the troops. However, he will not support the bill, in part, because the Hate Crimes bill is attached. Sen. Chambliss believes hate crime laws to be "unnecessary and irresponsible".

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) calls the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act "a substantial step forward in our values as Americans." Invokes the story of Angie Zapata, who was beaten to death in her home because she was transgender. Says the bill is the answer to Sen. Ted Kennedy's question, "How long will some Americans need to live in fear?"

New HUD Policy Includes LGBT Families

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Winfield) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:35:00 +0000

HUD PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Shaun Donovan, Secretary
Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20410

HUD No. 09-206 FOR RELEASE
Brian Sullivan Wednesday
(202) 708-0685 October 21, 2009
http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE INCLUSION OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY IN HUD PROGRAMS
Commissions first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the
LGBT community in the renting and sale of housing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a series of proposals to ensure that HUD's core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

"The evidence is clear that some are denied the opportunity to make housing choices in our nation based on who they are and that must end," said Donovan. "President Obama and I are determined that a qualified individual and family will not be denied housing choice based on sexual orientation or gender identity."

The initiatives announced today will be a proposed rule that will provide the opportunity for public comment. The proposed rule will:
* clarify that the term "family" as used to describe eligible beneficiaries of our public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs include otherwise eligible lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT) individuals and couples. HUD's public housing and voucher programs help more than three million families to rent an affordable home. The Department's intent to propose new regulations will clarify family status to ensure its subsidized housing programs are available to all families, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
* require grantees and those who participate in the Department's programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that cover sexual orientation or gender identity; and
* specify that any FHA-insured mortgage loan must be based on the credit-worthiness of a borrower and not on unrelated factors or characteristics such as sexual orientation or gender identity.

In addition to issuance of proposed rule, HUD will commission the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing.

HUD expects to begin the regulatory process immediately. The LGBT discrimination study is similarly fast tracked. HUD undertook important research in 1977, 1989 and 2000 to study the impact of housing discrimination on the basis of race and color. It is believed that LGBT individuals and families may remain silent because in many local jurisdictions, they may have little or no legal recourse. HUD's study will examine housing discrimination based on Sexual orientation or gender identity.

While there are no national assessments of LGBT housing discrimination, there are state and local studies that have shown this sort of bias. For example, Michigan's Fair Housing Centers found that nearly 30 percent of same-sex couples were treated differently when attempting to buy or rent a home (http://www.fhcmichigan.org/images/Arcus_web1.pdf).
###

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

Tom Coburn says whaaa?

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:54:00 +0000

This was a story too good to pass up posting.

Tom Coburn is a Republican senator from the state of Oklahoma. He has written an opinion piece for The Advocate Online that calls on the LGBT community to oppose "government health care rationing", i.e. public option healthcare. He does this by invoking the Ryan White Act, contending that thousands of Americans have, and will die, and millions of dollars will be spent on ineffective government programs. In the end of his piece he states we can make sure "every man, woman and child in this country has access to quality, affordable health care" without "creating an inefficient and expensive government program."

Now, I'm no expert on healthcare, and surely in the LGBT community there are various opinions as to what Congress and the President should be doing. My issue here is Tom Coburn turning to the LGBT community for support. This man has no business trying to woo us. Let's take a walk down Tom Coburn memory lane, and examine his positions on our issues.

In Tom Coburn's mind, the "gay agenda" is the biggest danger facing America today.

"The gay community has infiltrated the very centers of power in every area across this country, and they wield extreme power...That agenda is the greatest threat to our freedom that we face today. Why do you think we they rationalization for abortion and multiple sexual partners? That's a gay agenda."

Coburn has opposed gay marriage and in 2006 voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have put into the US Constitution that marriage is between one man and one woman. He also opposes gay adoption and anonymous HIV testing.

Perhaps most famous of all of his anti-gay statements is this:

"Lesbianism is so rampant in some of the schools in southeast Oklahoma that they'll only

let one girl go to the bathroom. Now this about that. Think about that issue. How is it that

that's happened to us?"

So, while we may not all agree on the solution to healthcare, we can agree that Tom Coburn has no business courting a community he has vilified time and time again.

Equality Florida Action PAC endorses Gelber for hotly contested AG race

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Equality Florida Action PAC Announces Early Endorsement of
Dan Gelber for Attorney General

(MIAMI) Today, Florida's largest LGBT political group endorsed Senator Dan Gelber for Attorney General. Equality Florida Action PAC is the state’s largest PAC devoted to electing pro-equality candidates. Our endorsement is the first by any statewide organization in the hotly contested race for Attorney General.

“Our community has two friends in the Democratic Primary race for Attorney General, however Dan Gelber stands apart as someone who has used his political capital to truly lead on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues,” said Stratton Pollitzer, Equality Florida Action PAC Chair.

“Sen. Gelber does not simply sign on to a bill as a co-sponsor, but he strategizes with us on how to win and pushes his colleagues to be courageous on our issues,” said Pollitzer. “He does not wait to see which way the political winds blow before he takes a stand and he recognizes that issues of equality resonate with voters in every corner of our state.”

Click here to learn more about Dan

Senator Gelber has a long record of co-sponsoring legislation to make it illegal to fire employees or deny someone housing solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. He is an outspoken opponent of Florida’s shameful ban on gay and lesbian adoption. And for years he fought passionately for anti-bullying laws that specifically included gay and transgender students among the groups protected from harassment and violence.

Equality Florida Action PAC’s core mission is to reward those who champion our issues and to send the message that, if you are a leader for equality, we will stand with you.

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of Equality Florida. Standing up for civil rights and for human rights is the foundation of our country and our democracy. I have worked with Equality Florida and all the human rights organizations throughout Florida, and as Attorney General I will continue to advance the cause of civil rights in our state," said Senator Dan Gelber.

Equality Florida Action PAC is a trusted resource for more than 100,000 Florida voters. In the 2008 election cycle, 80% of Equality Florida Action PAC’s endorsed candidates were elected.

Paid political advertisement, paid for by Equality Florida Action PAC, P.O. Box 13184 Saint Petersburg, Fl 33733. Not approved by any candidate.