Influence expands for South Florida's gay voters
By Anthony Man
Sun-Sentinel Political Writer
Fort Lauderdale -- Gay and lesbian Democratic activists gathered Saturday to celebrate the 2006 elections and strategize for 2008.
The 75 activists from throughout Florida and across the nation were still on a high from last month's elections, which saw Democrats take over the U.S. House and Senate and score many state local wins.
Stephen Driscoll, co-chairman of the national Stonewall Democrats and co-chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender caucus credited six years of President Bush with politically energizing gays nationwide.
"We saw anger morph into action, and that resulted in success," he said. "Candidates who were supportive of LGBT issues did not suffer any dire consequences. The terrain is different now."
In Florida, gay political activism is spreading. A year ago, the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Democratic Caucus had eight chapters. Now it has 15, said its president, Michael Albetta of Fort Lauderdale. Within the next couple of months, a Treasure Coast chapter will be operating in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Still, others sought to lower expectations of immediate, dramatic change for gays and lesbians.
Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay and lesbian political group, said the Democrats who will take over in Congress on Jan. 4 have a long agenda before taking up specifically gay-related issues.
Disappointing as that might be for some, he said Democrats need to act on issues they campaigned on, such as the Iraq war and changes to the Medicare prescription drug program.
"We have to be as politically savvy as any other group is," Rouse said. "We have to be careful of how we move forward."
Melissa Fojtik, president of the 400-member Dolphin Democrats, Broward's gay and lesbian political club, said people need only to look at former President Clinton's rocky start when his plan to ban discrimination against gays in the military consumed the early days of his administration, and resulted in political setbacks for the gay community.
"It's really about not getting ahead of what people are ready to take in their palate," she said. "If we want the heterosexual community to care about us, we have to recognize there are a lot of other issues."
Still, Rouse said, he expects Congress to pass legislation during the next two years against hate crimes motivated by the victims' sexual orientation and pass a measure banning employment discrimination against gays and lesbians.
And, Rouse and Albetta said, the election results will allow gay activists to change focus. They said Democratic leaders wouldn't allow votes on things like a proposal to change the Constitution to ban marriage among same-sex couples. That means the political groups can devote their energy to achieving their goals rather than playing defense.
Last month's elections mean other changes.
Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl, who became the highest-level openly gay elected official in Florida when he took office Nov. 21, said he has been inundated by lobbyists interested in county business since he defeated Republican Commissioner Jim Scott.
"I've asked every single lobbyist that's come before me in the last 11 days, `Does your client have domestic partner benefits for all its employees?'" he said. "The rumor's getting around very quickly that you've got to have them."
Keechl's victory made him popular at the joint meeting of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and the board of the national stonewall Democrats. But U.S. Rep.-elect Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, enjoyed a rock star's welcome.
Besides the Keechl contest, gays involved in South Florida politics devoted their greatest efforts to helping Klein unseat U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale. Many gay leaders have disliked Shaw since his time as Fort Lauderdale mayor before he went to Congress in 1980.
Reaching out to gay voters was a key Klein strategy. Early in his 20-month campaign, he met with gay political leaders. And he campaigned at community events, sometimes alongside openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.
Gays responded by providing volunteers and campaign money. The Human Rights Campaign dispatched a staffer who spent 11 weeks helping the Klein campaign.
Gay activists are convinced their efforts were decisive in the close race, which Klein won with 50.9 percent of the vote.
"It was an extremely powerful vote. In the Klein race, it made a huge difference," said Rusty Gordon, of West Palm Beach, vice president of the state GLBT Democratic Caucus. "It vindicated their hatred of Shaw for years."
Dean Trantalis, former Fort Lauderdale commissioner, said there's growing recognition of the political importance of gays and lesbians.
Years ago, he said, politicians weren't willing to show up at gatherings such as the one held Saturday.
Both Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne and his son, freshman state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, were featured speakers at the event. Both arrived before their scheduled times and, unlike many politicians who make remarks at an event and rush off, they stayed for most of the afternoon.
"Times are changing, you can feel it," Evan Jenne said. "Not just here. Everywhere."
Sun-Sentinel Political Writer
Fort Lauderdale -- Gay and lesbian Democratic activists gathered Saturday to celebrate the 2006 elections and strategize for 2008.
The 75 activists from throughout Florida and across the nation were still on a high from last month's elections, which saw Democrats take over the U.S. House and Senate and score many state local wins.
Stephen Driscoll, co-chairman of the national Stonewall Democrats and co-chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender caucus credited six years of President Bush with politically energizing gays nationwide.
"We saw anger morph into action, and that resulted in success," he said. "Candidates who were supportive of LGBT issues did not suffer any dire consequences. The terrain is different now."
In Florida, gay political activism is spreading. A year ago, the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Democratic Caucus had eight chapters. Now it has 15, said its president, Michael Albetta of Fort Lauderdale. Within the next couple of months, a Treasure Coast chapter will be operating in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Still, others sought to lower expectations of immediate, dramatic change for gays and lesbians.
Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay and lesbian political group, said the Democrats who will take over in Congress on Jan. 4 have a long agenda before taking up specifically gay-related issues.
Disappointing as that might be for some, he said Democrats need to act on issues they campaigned on, such as the Iraq war and changes to the Medicare prescription drug program.
"We have to be as politically savvy as any other group is," Rouse said. "We have to be careful of how we move forward."
Melissa Fojtik, president of the 400-member Dolphin Democrats, Broward's gay and lesbian political club, said people need only to look at former President Clinton's rocky start when his plan to ban discrimination against gays in the military consumed the early days of his administration, and resulted in political setbacks for the gay community.
"It's really about not getting ahead of what people are ready to take in their palate," she said. "If we want the heterosexual community to care about us, we have to recognize there are a lot of other issues."
Still, Rouse said, he expects Congress to pass legislation during the next two years against hate crimes motivated by the victims' sexual orientation and pass a measure banning employment discrimination against gays and lesbians.
And, Rouse and Albetta said, the election results will allow gay activists to change focus. They said Democratic leaders wouldn't allow votes on things like a proposal to change the Constitution to ban marriage among same-sex couples. That means the political groups can devote their energy to achieving their goals rather than playing defense.
Last month's elections mean other changes.
Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl, who became the highest-level openly gay elected official in Florida when he took office Nov. 21, said he has been inundated by lobbyists interested in county business since he defeated Republican Commissioner Jim Scott.
"I've asked every single lobbyist that's come before me in the last 11 days, `Does your client have domestic partner benefits for all its employees?'" he said. "The rumor's getting around very quickly that you've got to have them."
Keechl's victory made him popular at the joint meeting of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and the board of the national stonewall Democrats. But U.S. Rep.-elect Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, enjoyed a rock star's welcome.
Besides the Keechl contest, gays involved in South Florida politics devoted their greatest efforts to helping Klein unseat U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale. Many gay leaders have disliked Shaw since his time as Fort Lauderdale mayor before he went to Congress in 1980.
Reaching out to gay voters was a key Klein strategy. Early in his 20-month campaign, he met with gay political leaders. And he campaigned at community events, sometimes alongside openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.
Gays responded by providing volunteers and campaign money. The Human Rights Campaign dispatched a staffer who spent 11 weeks helping the Klein campaign.
Gay activists are convinced their efforts were decisive in the close race, which Klein won with 50.9 percent of the vote.
"It was an extremely powerful vote. In the Klein race, it made a huge difference," said Rusty Gordon, of West Palm Beach, vice president of the state GLBT Democratic Caucus. "It vindicated their hatred of Shaw for years."
Dean Trantalis, former Fort Lauderdale commissioner, said there's growing recognition of the political importance of gays and lesbians.
Years ago, he said, politicians weren't willing to show up at gatherings such as the one held Saturday.
Both Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne and his son, freshman state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, were featured speakers at the event. Both arrived before their scheduled times and, unlike many politicians who make remarks at an event and rush off, they stayed for most of the afternoon.
"Times are changing, you can feel it," Evan Jenne said. "Not just here. Everywhere."
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