Orlando Sentinel
Political Roundup
Published June 5, 2005

Gay battle brewing

With a Florida constitutional-amendment drive under way for a same-sex marriage ban and a leading Republican candidate for governor calling it a must, Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, said next year could prove tough for gay and lesbian Floridians.

"We're hoping this issue does not become part of the political landscape, but it's looking like it will," said Albetta, whose organization gathered last month in Key West to discuss "being lavender in a red state."

The three leading Democratic contenders for governor addressed the gathering by conference call.

But on the minds of many in the 150-member caucus were the proposed Florida Marriage Protection Act and Republican Tom Gallagher's decision to include a call for such a measure when he announced his bid for governor.

"Each of the Democratic candidates oppose the constitutional-amendment approach, although they also said they're against same-sex marriage," Albetta said. "But we really don't want this to become a central issue in Florida politics next year."

John Kennedy can be reached at jkennedy@orlandosentinel.com or at 850-222-5564