Friends,

Today, and over the past several months, we've been working hard to pass a local Human Rights Ordinance that protects Tallahassee's GLBT community from discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations. Each day we're getting even closer to passing the ordinance with our County Commission voting tomorrow on whether or not GLBT residents should be protected like any other taxpaying citizen of Leon County.

County Commissioners are being flooded with voicemails from anti-gay religious extremists urging them to vote against the proposal. Additionally, our local Chamber of Commerce came out against the ordinance despite being presented with evidence clearly showing it would actually help our local business community.

We've been calling, emailing and meeting with our Commissioners, but we still need your help to battle last minute, right-wing attempts to influence the vote.

Please send an email to the Leon County Commission urging them to vote for equality and move the local ordinance forward. While you're there, email the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce to let them know the ordinance is good for Tallahassee businesses.

Many of you live in municipalities around Florida that have already taken steps to protect their citizens. We urge you to include these stories - how local protections have made your community stronger, more welcoming and business friendly. Our County Commissioners need to know that passing such protections can only strengthen the community and that Leon County is behind the times without an ordinance on the books.

I know that we’ll get the Human Rights Ordinance passed if we all let our voices be heard. Send your email to the Leon County Commission by 3pm tomorrow (Tuesday) with just one click on the website below:

http://leonhro.familytreecenter.org/

Please pass this important message along to other equality-minded Floridians. There are several other large cities that will be considering local ordinances as well, so it's imperative that we do everything we can to make sure that Tallahassee sets the example for further actions around the state.

Thanks for your support,

Lisa Comingore
Secretary, Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
President, Capital City GLBTA Democratic Caucus
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Friends,

It's with great pleasure that I'm writing to let you know that Gainesville's Canvassing Board certified the mayoral election results yesterday, and Craig Lowe won by 42 votes!

It wasn't an easy victory. Craig faced numerous anti-gay attacks, including anonymous homophobic fliers and a "No Homo Mayor" sign on a church's lawn, in the weeks leading up to the election. It's clear from the close margin of victory that the smear campaign against Craig boosted turnout from ultra-conservative voters. Despite this, the people of Gainesville have demonstrated for future elections in Florida and across the country that voters can see beyond hate and fear.

It also serves as a reminder that we must remain vigilant in defending GLBT or allied candidates who face such desperate attacks, especially in the current election year with historic opportunities for our Party. Thank you to all of our members and supporters who made contributions and volunteered time to make phone calls on behalf of Craig's campaign. I'm especially proud of our Gainesville chapter - the Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County - for working so hard to elect one of their very own members to be North Florida's first gay mayor.

On behalf of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, I congratulate Mayor-Elect Lowe. We couldn't be prouder.

Sincerely,

Michael Albetta, President
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus

P.S. I'd also like to congratulate newly elected Congressman Ted Deutch on winning a special election for Florida's 19th Congressional District this week. He was the introducing sponsor of Florida's Healthy Teens Act, an effort to establish a statewide minimum standard for age-appropriate comprehensive sex-education, and past introducing sponsor of legislation to amend Florida's civil rights act to include sexual orientation, gender identity and expression as protected classes. We are grateful for his past support in the Florida legislature and look forward to working with him on the Federal level.
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The Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County would like to offer our congratulations to City Commissioner Craig Lowe, who won yesterday's runoff election to become both the first member of our caucus elected Mayor of a city and the first openly-gay Mayor of Gainesville, Florida.

We would also like to thank those who joined us in supporting his campaign. Similar to last year's successful campaign to protect Gainesville's non-discrimination ordinances for LGBT people (chaired by Mr. Lowe), his campaign for mayor of Gainesville is another excellent example of local, state, and national organizations successfully uniting for a common goal. It is the product of combined efforts by local members of the Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County and the Alachua County Democratic Party (as well as many other diverse local civic groups and caucuses), state-wide volunteers and support from Equality Florida, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, and Florida Together, as well as national support from the Human Rights Campaign, Organizing for America, and individuals around the country responding passionately to news about the homophobic smears against Mr. Lowe. It is clear by the close margin of victory (42 votes) that homophobic smears played a part in driving enthusiasm for Mr. Lowe's ultra-conservative opponent, but we are also heartened to see evidence that progressive Gainesville voters were emboldened as well, unwilling to accept such bigotry in our community.

Because the results of this election could have been reversed without the support of literally any one person or group, we the Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County cannot find adequate words to express our appreciation. We are humbled and indebted to everyone who joined us in this hard-fought election. Thank you.

Robert Prather
President, Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County
Gainesville, FL
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Dear Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Members,

In 29 states it remains legal to discriminate in employment based on sexual orientation, and in 38 states it is legal to discriminate in employment based on gender identity or expression.

As a result, LGBT Americans face serious discrimination in employment, including being fired, being denied a promotion and experiencing harassment on the job. Although efforts to advance protections in Florida are ongoing, with Democratic leadership in the U.S.Congress and the White House, we have a historic opportunity to gain protections on the federal level, but the time for action is now!

Representatives Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis need your help right away to push for a vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) the week of April 12th. Members of Congress are home in their districts this week, so it's the perfect time to let your voice be heard.

Here are the ways you can help move ENDA forward:

1. WRITE Your Representative. Send an email by visiting http://eqfed.org/campaign/ENDA_CongressionalCampaign_passENDA_NOW

2. CALL Your Representative today! Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative. Here's what we suggest you say:

"My name is _______ , and I live in your district at (your street address) in (your city). I am calling about ENDA. My message is simple and direct: we need committee markup and a House vote on ENDA the week of April 12. Thank you."

3. VISIT your U.S. Representative in their district office this week. Schedule an appointment or drop by their office and leave a note if you can not secure a meeting.

To learn more about ENDA, visit: http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/enda.asp

After your visit, please let us how your meeting or phone call went by e-mailing us at: info@floridaglbtdemocrats.org

We have never had a better opportunity to help advance this important legislation that will provide workplace protections for LGBT Americans.

Please take action today!

Sincerely,

Michael Rajner, Legislative Director
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
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St. Pete Hosts Winter Conference; Candidates, Elected Officials Scheduled

Fort Lauderdale - The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, an arm of the Florida Democratic Party representing the Sunshine State's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) residents, will hold its winter conference in St. Petersburg Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28. The event, whose theme is OUTburst!, is hosted by the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County and is being held to coincide with the Pinellas County DEC dinner.

Speakers include a wide range of state, local and national political figures and candidates, including a number of Florida's openly-gay elected officials. Expected to participate are Attorney General candidates Dan Gelber and Dave Aronburg; US Senate candidates Kendrick Meek, Maurice Ferre and Kevin Burns; Alabama's first openly-gay member of the state legislature, Patricia Todd; Michael Mitchell, executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats; Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux; and White House Deputy Director of Public Engagement Brian Bond (invited). Also participating are several of Florida's openly-gay elected officials, including St. Petersburg Councilmember Steve Kornell, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, and Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl.

In addition, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus PAC and the National Stonewall Democrats PAC will host a joint fundraiser Saturday immediately following the conference. Themed "Honoring Florida's GLBT Elected Officials," this event is a separate ticket and will feature a number of the state’s openly-gay elected leaders.

Early registration through February 19 is $55 for Caucus members is $65 for non-members, which covers the cost of the event and includes continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. After February 19 the registration fee will increase to $60 for Caucus members and $75 for non-members. The conference hotel is the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, located at 333 First Street South. Participants can register for the conference and the joint Caucus PAC/National Stonewall Democrats PAC fundraiser, and make hotel reservations at www.floridaGLBTdemocrats.org.

The current agenda follows. Updates will be provided as speakers and times are confirmed. All events are OPEN PRESS.

WHAT: OUTburst!, the Winter Conference of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus

WHEN: Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28

WHERE: Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 First Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

6:00pm Progressive event in Downtown St. Petersburg at Mindy Solomon Gallery and Herman Home

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

8:30am Registration and continental breakfast
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 First Street South

9:00am Morning Session: call to order and morning business session, followed by breakout workshops

Noon Buffet lunch featuring Attorney General candidate town hall with Dan Gelber and Dave Aronburg

1:00pm Afternoon Session: speakers and breakout workshops

4:45pm Adjourn

5:00pm "Honoring Florida's GLBT Elected Officials," a join fundraiser for Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus PAC and National Stonewall Democrats PAC
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By KeysNet Staff

Henry Woods, a stalwart in Florida Keys academia and politics, died at 10 a.m. Sunday

He slipped into a coma on Christmas Eve. Woods, 58, was a 10-year Key West resident and taken via helicopter to Miami after suffering a severe aneurysm.

Woods, an adjunct political science professor at Florida Keys Community College, ran for Monroe County elections supervisor against incumbent Harry Sawyer in 2008. He'd been very active in the Democratic Party, and is a past president of the Lambda Democrats in Key West.

He also ran Woods Consulting, which takes on public relations, grant writing and other responsibilities for local groups such as AIDS Help, the Waterfront Playhouse and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

Woods was a native of Arkansas and graduated with a bachelor's in political science from the University of Arkansas in 1973 and obtained a master's degree from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1998.

Henry was a past President of the Lambda Democrats, the Monroe County chapter of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. He most recently served as the Area 7 Regional Director and organized the 2009 Summer Conference in Key West.

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In April of 2009, the Suncoast Stonewall Democrats - our Sarasota/Manatee County Chapter - began a campaign to fight the discriminatory policy of AAA South because they refused to recognize same-sex spouses for their Associate Membership program. AAA South repeatedly said that Associate Membership was only available to spouses and dependent children - and they defined "spouse" as a person legally married in Florida.

Same-sex spouses were forced to either pay full price for their own membership, or not join at all. Because of this inequity, Suncoast Stonewall Democrats launched a campaign to change their hearts, their minds, and their policy. Early in their efforts, the Suncoast Stonewall Democrats reached out to Equality Florida and other affiliated organizations throughout the south for assistance and continued guidance throughout the campaign.

On July 22, 2009, four senior executives from AAA South - the fourth largest AAA affiliate in the nation - met with Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida. During that meeting, Tom O'Brien, AAA South President and CEO stated, "We had not talked about this issue very much at all until you reached out to us, and that has caused us to talk about it quite a bit."

By the end of that meeting, O'Brien agreed that same-sex spouses should indeed be recognized, and promised to change the policy to recognize all spouses, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The policy now allows gay married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA's Associate Membership program, wherever they were married, regardless of state or country. Same-sex couples applying for a membership need only state that they are married to receive the family benefit. Management also left the door open to expand the policy to include domestic partners, both gay and straight.

"We are pleased with the outcome of our meeting," Smith said. "AAA is an iconic American company that many of us associate with summer vacation and family road trips. To have AAA South set a standard for full equality for all married couples, regardless of sexual orientation, is an important message and one we hope other companies will follow."

"We appreciate the professional manner in which representatives from Equality Florida met with members of our executive management team to gain a better understanding of each organization's position and concerns. The result, from our perspective, was a very meaningful and productive conversation. Our door is always open," said O'Brien.

Bryan Worthington, President of the Suncoast Stonewall Democrats, spoke for both his organization and his partner when he said, "We're grateful that you have made this momentous move in the spirit of fairness and equality and are proud to renew our membership to AAA South - which now includes both of us! AAA South has earned our sincere appreciation for your decision to honor the relationships of the GLBT communities of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Puerto Rico, and we hope that you will continue your dialog with Equality Florida and the other organizations that were instrumental in this decision and recognize all domestic partnerships."

The Suncoast Stonewall Democrats, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, and the GLBT community throughout our region are grateful to AAA South and Equality Florida for their partnership in this effort!


Because AAA South has decided to reverse their policy and now recognizes GLBT spouses for Associate Memberships, we need you to call and write them to say "Thank you!" They are being flooded with calls and emails from those that oppose this move, so we need to counter them with our gratitude.



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"Knowledge is not knowledge until it's shared." I never really thought about it that way, but the concept seems to make sense. As adults we share what we know with our children and grandchildren, they accept those ideas into their own mind-set and that same knowledge lives on in a slightly different form as they pass it on to their children and to their friends. The knowledge paradigm is what ties us all together. But it can't do that while it resides in our mind or in books on a shelf. It first has to be shared.

I have to say I had not really considered this idea until last week when I attended the summer conference of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Henry Woods, president of the Lambda Democrats of Key West, welcomed the 120 conference-goers and then turned the proceedings over to Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Albetta, who resides in Fort Lauderdale, frequently reminded conference participants that a caucus is just about that: sharing knowledge. Today I'd like to share with you some of the things I learned at this state GLBT Democratic Caucus.

Kevin Burns, mayor of North Miami Beach, is running for the U.S. Senate in the 2010 election because he feels "Washington is out of touch with the people." He reminds us that "all politics are local" because everything a politician does has an impact on the individual people he or she represents. Burns is in favor of an assault weapons ban, keeping oil rigs off the coast of Florida, overturning the law banning gay adoption, and getting rid of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. As an openly gay man with a partner of 24 years, he does not look favorably on those politicians who vote against GLBT issues and then "hang out" in the closet with gays. This guy is a mover and shaker. Check him out at kevinburnsforsenate.com.

Chad Thilborger is director of the National Stonewall Library and Archives located in Fort Lauderdale. He addressed the conference on the library's mission: to preserve, interpret and share the remarkable heritage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The archives collect and preserve records of individuals, organizations and social movements including journals, manuscripts, correspondence, oral histories, photographs, moving images, ephemera, periodicals and annuals. Stonewall's circulating library includes over 18,000 book titles and 600 DVDs. The archives support an education program and is available to come to your location for presentations. Check it out at www.stonewall-library.org.

Eric Draper, formerly a lobbyist for the Audubon Society, is a candidate for Florida secretary of Agriculture, "one of the most invisible jobs in state government." But hey, he reminds us, he gets to sign his name on all your gas pumps! Draper has long been an advocate of conservation as an Audubon lobbyist and is passionate about his mission for safe food, clean water, conserving land and providing green jobs. Draper is in favor of strong regulation and as secretary of Agriculture will run the state's Consumer Services Agency. Check him out at www.EricDraper.net.

Currently a state senator, Dan Gelber is a candidate for Florida Attorney General and unabashedly proclaims "I'm here to beg for your support." Gelber is a strong social justice advocate and assured conference members that "your issues are my issues." Gelber is in favor of full civil unions and federal rights for all people. He is also in favor of repealing the ban on gay adoptions and fixing the health care system now. Find out more at dan@dangelber.com.

Ron Saunders, our district's state representative and the recently elected democratic leader of the Florida House for 2010, addressed the conference on the need to finally "narrow the gap." The Florida House currently has 44 Democrats and 120 Republicans and that, Saunders believes, must change. Saunders is supportive of GLBT issues and wants to see the ban on gay adoption eliminated.

Several prominent local leaders addressed the conference including Lou Hernandez, the founder of Lambda Democrats of Key West, Monroe County Commissioner Heather Carruthers, Key West City Commissioner Teri Johnston, Key West Police Chief Donie Lee, and J.T. Thompson, originator of the One Human Family motto that was adopted as the official philosophy of Key West and Monroe County.

Dennis Ward, state attorney for the 16th judicial district, reviewed several meanings for the Greek letter lambda, with speculation on why it is now used to refer to gay and lesbian groups. The ancient Greek Spartacus regarded lambda to mean unity, while the Romans considered it the light of knowledge shed into the darkness of ignorance. In physics, lambda denotes the energy we have when working in concert, and the letter may also just stand for liberation.

Whatever lambda may mean in relation to the GLBT community, the summer conference of Lambda Democrats provided participants with an enlightening and rewarding experience.

John Andola, a Key West resident, is a retired educator and gay rights activist. His column appears in The Citizen on Saturdays. He can be contacted at jandola@keysnews.com.

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Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus hosts conference in Key West

By DAN RENZI, South Florida Blade

The GLBT Democratic Caucus of Florida held its 2009 Summer Conference in Key West, attracting approximately 100 political activists to discuss the future of politics in the state-and how the GLBT community can progress amidst the influence of conservative lawmakers in Tallahassee.

"We have seen big change in Washington," said Dan Gelber, Florida State Senator from Miami Beach, and candidate for Florida Attorney General. "But we have not had that change in Florida."

The meeting, held July 18 at the rooftop conference center of the Crowne Plaza - La Concha Hotel, included executive leaders from each of the 13 Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus chapters; top leaders of political organizations, including Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida; and many straight allies, including Gelber and incoming Fla. House Democratic Leader Rep. Ron Saunders.

The meeting also hosted high-profile national political figures, including openly-gay U.S. Congressional Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jared Polis (D-CO), who spoke via conference calls with updates on federal issues.

A surprise call came in from Cleve Jones, who addressed the crowd with his goals for the upcoming March on Washington, D.C. in October to raise national awareness for GLBT rights. He encouraged individuals to participate regardless of their individual political convictions, and not just pay attention only to the issues that pertain to them, a practice that proves to be detrimental to the community as a whole.

"If we truly believe we are equal," Jones said, "then it is time to act like it."

Kevin Burns, former Mayor of North Miami, addressed the group with a rousing speech about his campaign for U.S. Senate. Burns, who made Florida history by being re-elected to the office of North Miami Mayor as an openly-gay candidate, said he is running for office to correct several key issues, including reinstating the ban on assault weapons, and fighting proposals for petroleum drilling off Florida's coasts.

He is also especially concerned with Florida’s ban on gay adoption-despite recent individual victories for gay parents in state courts, the ban is still in effect, and is the only such ban in the country.

Burns and his partner, who have been together for 27 years, adopted a daughter through agencies in Vermont, circumventing Florida's ban on recognizing both fathers as legal parents. Burns said he is frustrated by lawmakers in Tallahassee who refuse to address the issue, in essence saying "gays are not fit to be parents," and cited his own family as proof that gay families thrive.

"Even though raising a child is very challenging," he said, "I think I can handle it."

He stressed, however, the need to move past gay issues and not allow GLBT propaganda to limit what candidates address.

"I was with the gruffest group of labor unions in Central Florida," he said. "They were only concerned with unemployment and labor issues. The couldn't care less about the gay issue."

The "gay issue" is still a major point of conflict with Florida's state government. Despite progressive shifts nationwide, Florida's conservative Republican government continues to stall the progression of pro-GLBT legislation.

Sally Phillips, VP of FL GKBT Democratic Caucus and Board member of The Victory Fund, also stressed the need for GLBT lawmakers in office.

"Any state that passed equality legislation had an openly gay legislator on the committee," Phillips said. "Until we get an openly gay legislator in Tallahassee, we won't see equality legislation-if we do, it will break the mould...I just don't believe it’s going to happen."

Florida GLBT politics have experienced progress in the past year, however. Cathy James and Terry Flemming, of O.U.T. (Organizations United Together) pointed out that Florida Democratic Senators Mandy Dawson and Nan Rich and Representative Mary Brandenburg introduced a set of bills that would repeal the ban on gay adoption, which received significant support from Democratic lawmakers.

But support from the Democratic Party is not guaranteed; 18 Democrats in Tallahassee did not sign on to the gay adoption bills, despite the widespread support of the GLBT community for the party.

Equality Florida's Nadine Smith said Democrats could influence policy by facing down conservative state politics, and challenged the party to risk taking a stronger stance in Tallahassee.

"When Democrats don't sign up, it gives moderate Republicans a place to hide," Smith said.
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