The level of acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships in this nation, and even here in this traditionally conservative state of Florida, has increased dramatically just in the last ten years. But the passage of Florida Proposition 2 yesterday is a cold, suffocating reminder that the old prejudices are still alive. My joy and pride in the victory of President-Elect Barack Obama have been lamentably diminished by the news that the majority of my fellow Floridians believe it necessary to insert into the state constitution discrimination aimed at my loving relationship.
Do I take this personally? Yes. Of course. I am a gay woman who has been living for 10 years with my partner. We are committed to our relationship. We are a family. We pay our taxes. We work and play and contribute to our state financially. We support our local businesses with our earnings. We pay the same level and number of taxes as any other Floridian in our economic bracket. Yet we have just been told that we are CONSTITUTIONALLY uninvited to share in one of the most fundamental relationships entered into by human beings.
They are afraid. I am disenfranchised and discounted. No one wins in this. But they are right to be afraid. I am still here. And I am damn mad.
Doing some from the hip damage control, Mike Huckabee defended the statements he made over 15 years ago that those with AIDS should be isolated away from the general public, as well as statements that homosexuality is a sinful and aberrant state (a belief he still maintains, by the way). He also opposed increased federal spending in the fight against HIV/AIDS, calling for the Hollywood rich to empty their own coffers for that purpose instead.
Huckabee stands by his earlier statements, claiming that at the time we did not know much about the transmission facts of HIV/AIDS — even though he made those statements after Magic Johnson went public with his HIV status and the CDC had made it elementarily clear that casual contact did not transmit the virus. At that time the only viable reasons one would have for making such stupid comments was rampant homophobia, Southern Baptist theistic dogma and/or an unwillingness to heed educated and informed opinion. Whatever combination of those “reasons” Huckabee holds onto they ring a little too much with the Bush bell for my tastes.
The pride of Hogwarts. Or was that Hogwarts Pride? Dumbledore is gay. Not a huge surprise to the hardcore fans who have pored over ever sylable of the Potter series from the beginning, but it is sure to raise some eyebrows with a few fundies.
J.K.Rowlings outed Dumbledore at a book signing yesterday. Although I’m not sure I’m thrilled that the only admittedly gay character in the series is also the one with the most hidden and haunted past, at least he was an honorable man for the most part.
The National Stonewall Dems , under the leadership of Executive Director Jon Hoadley, are breaking away from the ‘follow at all costs’ loyalty they have previously shown to the national Democratic Party. Lane Hudson has an entry in the Huffington Post highlighting the Stonewall Dems’ fight for an inclusive ENDA model — the original model.
Money quote:
NoSubstitutes.org is a creative way to highlight the issue. It really does fly in the face of the Leadership, who is used to Stonewall Democrats backing them up as any other loyal constituency might. However, some things are more important than loyalty to Party Leadership — things like equal justice under the law.
Loyalty to one’s party is admirable — to a point. When that loyalty requests that any group accept less than full inclusion into the freedoms and liberties that are enjoyed under and promised by this Constitution, loyalty becomes a sell-out.
Visit NoSubstitutes.org to send your legislators a message.
…but Cathy James was a warrior on the front lines.
I came across this amazing first hand report of the “Family Impact Summit” (from the inside) and was overjoyed at the chutzpah and fortitude of Cathy James, who not only took on the anti-gay panel but whooped their debateless butts. She spoke out for me and countless others with her words of clarity in the midst of the fog of bigotry.
Cathy, you are my new hero.
“We don’t have homosexuals like in your country. We don’t have that in our country. In Iran we do not have this phenomenon. I don’t know who has told you that we have it.” — Ahmadinejad at Columbia University
And the Holocaust is only a theory.
The protest went off, was (I think) successful. It got the message across that the g/l/b/t community — as well as our friends and families — are serious about our rights, serious about our freedoms, and serious about our faiths. We also put across the statement that we are serious about not letting others define us, defile us, or marginalize us.
I hope to have more tomorrow evening, but it’s been a long, long day… and I was caught out in the torrential downpour. I will post a few pictures from the protest later, as well.
Just a reminder to all who may (or should) be interested in supporting equality and fairness in Florida:
The show of strength for progressive thought against what is being mis-labeled the “Family Impact Summit” in Hillsborough County will begin on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. A press conference will be held by at 4:00 p.m., followed by a peaceful, non-confrontational vigil. As well, a short protest training session will be conducted at 3:00, prior to the press conference, for all who would like to have some pointers. The protest training meeting will be at St. Mark’s UCC (2914 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico) starting at 3:00. The press conference and protest begin at 4:00 in front of Bell Shoals Baptist Church (2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon).
Let’s get the numbers out there, free-thinkers! Tomorrow is the day to hold up a mirror of freedom and tolerance to the face of bigotry and hatred. Let them see our solidarity and our committment. From the original notice:
A “who’s who” of the national anti-gay industry (see below) will descend on the Tampa Bay community with the help of Bell Shoals Church in Brandon, the same church that launched an all out assault on Hillsborough Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) last year.
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To successfully convey the community’s outrage we will need a big turnout. So, we are asking you to attend and to also BRING FIVE FRIENDS.
Click HERE for latest information from Equality Florida on this urgent event.
There is strength in numbers. Equality Florida, as well as other state and local glbt and progressive organizations, are asking for our help in promoting a strong protest to the ironically named “Family Impact Summit” in Brandon, FL on Sept. 20. Read the full text of the email from Equality Florida after the jump. And while you’re at it, follow the link and check out the sponsors. Let’s get this information out and get our place on the protest front. See you there?
******** Please Distribute Widely **************
SAVE THE DATE: Sept. 20th, 3PM
Community Responds to Hate Summit
Equality Florida and the Hillsborough County GLBTA Democratic
Caucus, along with other progressive and faith based
organizations, are putting together a community response to a
“hate summit” being held in Brandon, Florida September 20th to
22nd.
Continue reading ‘needed — a show of strength against hillsborough ‘hate summit’’
