Why Equality Florida Endorsed Charlie Crist

Florida Squeeze columnist Kartik Krishnaiyer is disappointed by Equality Florida endorsing Charlie Crist over Nan Rich.

Let me make it clear that I believe firmly that the rush to back Crist among many on the left will undermine their credibility when it comes to advocacy on policy in the next legislative session and quite possibly in the 2016 election and beyond. Sure Crist is likely going to win the primary with ease, but credibility long term for some of these activists should trump short term gain.

There is a double standard there. Equality Florida doesn't want to be on the outside if Crist does become governor. Crist is also going out of his way to make Equality Florida happy.

Crist developed a relationship with Equality Florida when he ran for the U.S. Senate as an independent in 2010. Crist worked with Equality Florida to develop a policy paper on LGBT rights. Part of Nan Rich's problem is Crist continues to outflank her. Rich is more progressive. Crist is better at developing relations with political groups.

Governor Charlie Crist LGBT Position Paper by Equality Florida

Rick Kriseman Comes Out In Support of Gay Marriage

Equality Florida made this statement on Facebook.

We applaud St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman for signing the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry initiative today! "By signing this pledge, we’re taking one more step towards creating a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play.” Click "like" to thank Mayor Kriseman for supporting marriage for all Floridians!

St. Pete Family Picnic at Sunset Beach

Equality Florida is hosting the "St. Pete Family Picnic at Sunset Beach." The even is a picnic for LGBT families to get together and meet. The picnic is open to the public.

Where: 8000 W Gulf Blvd.,Treasure Island, FL 33706

When: Sunday, August 25, 2013, 12:00pm -4:00pm

For more information check out the Facebook page.

Rick Kriseman Receives Endorsements of LGBT Groups

St. Petersburg candidate for mayor, Rick Kriseman, has been endorsed by the LGBT groups Equality Florida and the Stonewall Democrats.

“I am proud to have the support of the LGBT community,” Kriseman said in a statement. “As mayor, I will ensure that St. Petersburg remains a city that values and celebrates diversity.”

In the Florida House of Representatives, Kriseman filed a bill urging President Barack Obama to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

"It’s past time to end the failed policy of ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ There are nearly eighty thousand gay or lesbian veterans who live in Florida. Brave men and women who served honorably, but also in fear. They deserved better, and today’s service members deserve better. I urge our leaders in Washington, D.C., to move quickly in repealing this terribly ineffective law," said Rep. Kriseman.

Kriseman has served as the Grand Marshall in the St. Pete Pride parade and has sponsored legislation to ban discrimination against sexual orientation or gender identity in the Florida workplace. Kriseman has a stronger record on LGBT issues than most members of his party.

Equality Florida May Challenge State Gay Marriage Ban

Equality Florida sent out a press release stating that they are willing to challenge the Florida constructional ban against gay marriage.

"As the entire country awaits the Supreme Court's rulings, it is time for all who believe in equality and fairness to take a clear stand on the right side of history," the organization's executive director Nadine Smith said in a conference call.

More:

"While the fastest path to marriage equality in Florida is not yet certain, we do know that we will not just wait," Smith said. "We intend to win marriage, and all options are on the table including new legal challenges and the possibility of going back to the ballot to overturn Florida's discriminatory ban."

I change in the Florida constitution would require 60 percent approval from voters. You can thank Republicans for making that undemocratic 60 percent threshold.

Equality Florida On Dubious Rubio Not Backing ENDA

Nadine Smith of Equality Florida sent out this press release. Equality Florida takes exception with Sen. Marco Rubio not supporting ENDA. Rubio made this statement about ENDA to Think Progress.

RUBIO: I haven’t read the legislation. By and large I think all Americans should be protected but I’m not for any special protections based on orientation.

The Equality Florida press release.

Senator Rubio's statements are indefensible and heartless. I challenge Sen. Marco Rubio to meet with families torn apart by current laws. Let him sit with couples who have been forced apart and children who are denied access to both parents because the law does not recognize their family.

Thankfully the Senator does not reflect the majority of Americans or Floridians who, by an overwhelming margin of 67%, believe “it is important that the US immigration system keeps families together regardless of sexual orientation.”1 Nearly two-thirds of Hispanic voters support the inclusion of same-sex bi-national couples in immigration reform, and 70% of Hispanic Catholics support these provisions. Rubio's recent rhetoric about pulling his support for immigration reform if same-sex couples are included is a slap in the face to his constituency and the families directly harmed by the current laws. The Senator’s opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is also out of sync with the country and Florida voters who believe people should not be fired based on prejudice.

Nearly three-quarters of voters (73%) support protecting gay and transgender people from workplace discrimination. This support cuts across political party affiliation, with 81% of Democrats, 74% of independents and 66% of Republicans supporting workplace nondiscrimination laws for LGBT people. - See more at: http://www.freedomtowork.org/?page_id=39#sthash.yJOZfeOx.dpuf

1 April 2013 poll conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP), one of the most accurate polling companies in the country. http://bit.ly/13FDHRq

Updates From Equality Florida

You can now get text updates from the LGBT civil rights organization Equality Florida.

"Please text the word EQUAL to the number 99000 to get Equality Florida updates. We have had tremendous success this year across the state and this election cycle and need to keep this train towards full equality at full speed. www.eqfl.org Thanks!" -EQFL's Field Coordinator Michael Farmer.

Meet Candidate Lois Frankel

Equality Florida is hosting meet and greet with congressional candidate Lois Frankel. To reserve a reservation email Allan Hendricks at eqflpbc@yahoo.com.

What: Please join us for a Meet & Greet with
Fmr. Mayor Lois Frankel
Candidate for Congressional Seat FL22
of the United States Congress

When: Thursday, March 8th6:30 - 8:30pm

Where: The Cottage Restaurant
522 Lucerne Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33462

Schultz & Ros-Lehtinen on ENDA

Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Ileanna Ros-Lehtinen are 2010 "Voice For Equality" honorees. Equality Florida noted Schultz's and Ros-Lehtinen work as co-sponsors of Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA).They told Equality Florida they support ending DADT and Florida's gay adoption ban.

Terry Kemple on Human Relations Board

How the hell did anti-gay clown Terry Kemple get voted onto the Hillsborough County Human Relations Board? Kemple was voted on the board by a 5 to 2 vote. Hillsborough County Commission placement Kemple of on the board shows the GOP pandering to the base. Kemple as no qualifications in promoting equality. Eemocrats Kevin Beckner and Les Miller were the dissenting votes.

The job of the Human Relations Board is to review complaints and promote equality. Kemple has made a career of accusing gay people of being sexual predators and attempting to pass off bogus Founding Fathers religious quotes as historical truth.

Nadine Smith of Equality Florida is urging the Commission to remove Kemple.

"Terry Kemple's presence on the Hillsborough County Human Relations Board creates an insurmountable obstacle to the fulfillment of it's stated purpose - encouraging equality among all people - and we strongly urge the commissioners to replace him with someone who believes in the state mission of the Board."

The REpublican members of the Commission are terrified of the base. They will appoint Kemple because they will do whatever is needed to prove they hate gay people more than their futre GOP primary opponents.

Equality Meet Up

Equality Florida is having a meet up in Palm Beach County tomorrow.

Equality Florida – Palm Beach County

December MeetUp

Time: Thursday, December 16 · 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Location: The Cottage

522 Lucerne Avenue

Lake Worth, FL

Less Gay People Voted Democrat This Election

Yahoo News reports that President Barack Obama's efforts to stop the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is resulted in the LGBT community voting more Republican.

Exit polling commissioned by the major cable news networks has found that 31 percent of people who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual voted for Republicans on Election Day. That represents a big uptick from the 24 percent of gays who voted for the GOP in 2006 and from only 19 percent who did so in 2008. The trend appears to bear out pre-Election Day predictions from gay rights organizers that gay voters were angry and disenchanted with Democrats for not delivering on promises to the community.

The sample size of the poll was small. However, gays and lesbians will defect if Obama keeps fighting the repeal of DADT in court. The LGBT community will pay attention, as they did when the White House killed Alcee Hastings DADT repeal amendment. If anyone thinks the gay community will continue to vote Democrat when the party opposes gay rights then that person is denial.

I remember asking a member of the Florida Democratic Party what will be their response if Equality Florida endorses Charlie Crist. The person was totally dismissive and told me that if Equality Florida wanted to "embarrass" itself that was it's problem. That kind of attitude will drive LGBT votes toward the Republican Party.

Update: I should have made this clear in the post. Equality Florida does not endorse candidates in federal races.

Equality Florida Endorsements

Equality Florida has their endorsements for candidates online. I will make note of the local Tampa races.

Pinellas County Commission District 4 - Susan Latvala (REP)

Hillsborough County Commission District 1 - John Dingfelder (DEM)
Hillsborough County Commission District 5 - Linda Saul-Sena (DEM)

Pinellas County School Board District 7 - James Jackson
Hillsborough County School Board District 6 - April Griffin

House District 44 - Diane Rowden (DEM)
House District 49 - Darren Soto (DEM)
House District 51 - Janet Long (DEM)
House District 53 - Rick Kriseman (DEM)
House District 57 - Stacy Frank (DEM)
House District 60 - Russ Patterson (DEM)
House District 69 - Keith Fitzgerald (DEM)

The big story is how did Bob Hackworth lose out on an endorsement to Susan Latvala. I hope to get an answer to that question shortly. Hackworth mentions nothing about gay rights issues on his campaign web site. I do take exception with Hackworth's claims that the Tampa Bay Rays have had a "huge economic impact to the county and to the region." I have blogged about how tax subsidized stadiums bring money only to sports franchises. The taxpayer is left paying the bill.

The April Griffin is of great interest to me. Griffin is running against Terry Kemple. The latter's campaign is so broke that Kemple's web site has been suspended.

Please contact Inspyre at (813) ***-**** and follow the prompts to our
Billing Department for assistance with this matter. We are sorry for any
inconvenience this has caused.

Kemple is against the teaching of evolution and billboards of the bogus quotes the Founding Fathers never made about the separation of church and state. This blog has also had great joy mocking Kemple. I usually don't do endorsements, but I want to see Griffin win big.

Update: Nadine Smith of Equality Florida sent me this email to explain the endorsement.

"Both candidates are strong supporters of equal rights. Susan Latvala led the push to expand the human rights ordinance in Pinellas County and Bob Hackworth helped pass the Dunedin HRO. Our PAC criteria gives weight to incumbancy and found Susan to be the stronger candidate to endorse."

Thanks to Ms. Smith for responding to my email.

Charlie Crist Announces Gay Rights Position

Charlie Crist and his campaign have been working with Equality Florida to craft a position paper. Crist has come out with a rather shockingly progressive position on gay rights. Crist still does not support gay marriage.

The good news is Crist supports ENDA, repealing "Dont Ask, Don't Tell," and gay adoption rights. A very progressive stance, for this election cycle, is allowing America gays and lesbians to sponsor their foreign-born gay partner for citizenship. Could Crist back alway from his LGBT positions once he enters the Senate? Absolutely. Crist should be commended for reaching out to Equality Florida.

Kendrick Meek has failed to court the LGBT community. Meek has the longer history of supporting gay rights. Meek has voted in support of Mathew Shepard Act and ENDA. Meek has not done a good job of letting the gay community and progressives know his voting history. That gave Crist to position himself (rightly or wrongly) as the progressive Senate candidate on LGBT issues by default. Crist saw an opportunity to court Democratic votes and took the ball and ran. One thing is for certain: Meek and Crist are a stark difference from what Marco Rubio would do to gay rights if he is elected.

Governor Charlie Crist LGBT Position Paper

Alex Sink Supports Gays Adopting

Florida CFO and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink announced her surport for allowing gays to adopt.

``We need a system in which all of our children are assured that they live in a healthy, loving home -- a home that's determined not by any law,'' Sink told about 300 gay activists who packed a gallery of modern artwork at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale. ``The decision has to be made by the judge, in consultation with the experts, to determine what is the best for that individual child.''

Sink made the announcement at an Equality Florida fundraiser. Sink said she looked forward to working with state Sen. Nan Rich. The latter has repeatedly introduced bills to reverse the law forbidding gays from adopting. The Department of Children and Families are overloaded with 20,000 kids in the foster care system. Gays are allowed to be foster parents.

Sue Carlton wrote a heartbreaking op-ed about Martin Gill and his domestic partner attempting to adopt two brothers. Gill was only suppose to care for the boys a couple of months. The brothers were never adopted and lived with Gill for five years. Gill is attempting to adopt the brothers so they will not be separated in the system.

Gay adoption is an alien concept to many straight people. The secret is Florida has no problem allowing gay foster parents care for children. If these politicians were really afraid kids were endangered then they wouldn't allow gays to be foster parents. To hypocrisy is sickening. I'm glad Alex Sink is willing to change the current status quo.

Equality Florida Endorses Den Gelber

The LGBT advocacy group Equality Florida has endorsed Dan Gelber for Florida 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," Stratton Pollitzer, the group's chair, said in a written statement.

Stratton Pollitzer, chairman of the Equality Florida Action PAC, cited Gelber's record of protecting the LGBT community from job termination and to right not to be denied housing. Gelber supports gay couples having the right to adopt children.

Equality Florida Protests WFLA

WFLA-Ch. 8 aired the informercial Silencing the Christians the day the Tampa LGBT community celebrated Gay Pride Day. The informercial was created by the American Family Association. The AFA has come out in opposition of the Matthew Sheperd Hate Crimes bill.

WFLA and it's parent company Media General have a long history of conservatism. Glenn Beck got his big break on WFLA Radio. The Media General company the Tampa Tribune has never endorsed a Democrat for President.

Personally, I think the protest is giving AFA and Silencing the Christians more attention than it deserves. People don't watch informercials. Don't believe me, I dare you to watch this Erik Estrada informercial. Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9 11 gained greater box office success because of the negative publicity.

I understand why Nadine Smith and Lorna Bracewell are upset. No amount of protests are going to change WFLA. Boycotts never work. The best thing to do is tell people Media General provides shitty news and entertainment. WFLA TV and Radio should be the unhip equivalent of Eric Cantor attending a Britney Spears concert. No human being over the age of 13 years old has an excuse for listening to Miley Cyrus. The same should hold true for WFLA. Their audience should be dwindled down to the Eric Cantors of the world.

How 50 State Strategy Worked

The grassroot campaign Howard Dean started and Barack Obama continued achieved victory in Florida. Democrats now have a 650,000 registered voter advantage over Republicans.

"That's partly why I'm here, "RNC Chairman Michael Steele. "To let the base know it's time to get busy, it's time to get to work."

Of course, the stupid Steele quote was bound to come. This was his message at a (only) 100 support coffee get together.

''Please send some folks to the convention that look like Florida,'' Steele said. ``Could you help a brother out? No more national conventions with [only] 36 people of color in the room.''

A Republican pleading for delegates selected for Republican National Convention through affirmative action. Steele is the gift that keeps on giving.

Charter 1 Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow Gainesville voters will decide whether or not to vote yes or no on Charter 1. This blog urges you to vote no. The text of the charter.

Amendment to City Charter Prohibiting the City from Providing Certain Civil Rights

Shall the City Charter Be Amended to prohibit the adoption or enforcement of ordinances, regulations, rules, or policies that provide protected status, preferences, or discrimination claims based on classification, characteristics, or orientations not recognized by the Florida Civil Rights Act? The act recognizes, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, handicap, marital and familial status. Additionally, this amendment voids existing ordinances concerning sexual orientation, gender identity, and other ordinances inconsistent with this amendment.

The words "City Charter Prohibiting the City from Providing Certain Civil Rights" is a clue that this charter is merely to bash the lgbt community. Equality Florida has been lobbying Gainesville citizens to vote no.

Ryan Keith Skipper Trial

Litbrit and I wrote about the murder of Ryan Keith Skipper. Joseph Bearden is accused of murdering Skipper. Equality Florida is urging citizens to voice their views.

Dear Friends,

As the trial of Ryan Skipper's accused murderer unfolds, it is clear that anti-gay hatred played a significant role in Ryan's murder. According to a witness who took the stand yesterday:

"He (Bearden) said he didn't like gays."

Prosecutors then revealed that the same witness previously told police:

"(Bearden) felt he was doing the world a favor by getting rid of one more faggot."

Equality Florida has a page set up to contact Gov. Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum. I urge readers to stay away from form letters. The best way to have your voice heard is write your own original message. Below is Crist's and McCollum's email addresses.

Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com