Saturday, July 30 First Coast Pride Parade Line up 5pm, Parade 6pm, Block Party in 5-Points approximately 6:45--10pm

Friday August 5, Jacksonville Florida Black Pride Expo 4-8 PM, Caribbean Experience 9 until ? (Marriott Hotel 4670 Salisbury Rd, JAX, FL, 32256--Mention Jacksonville FL Pride for rates 1-800-584-2842)

Saturday August 6, Jacksonville Florida Black Pride 10am until dusk: Guana State Park (the "gay" beach is in between the two park beach access points)

Saturday August 6, Party at Incahoots (formerly 3-D) 9 until ?

Sunday, August 7, Jacksonville Florida Black Pride, Willowbranch Park 11am -6pm

Sunday, August 7 First Coast Pride Festival, Jacksonville Beach Pavilion 12-8pm

There are also several smaller First Coast Pride Events happening in between July 30 and August 8, for those visit www.firstcoastpride.com

For more on JAXX Black Pride visit http://jaxxblackpride.com/
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St. Pete Pride

Your help is needed at St. Pete Pride this Saturday, June 25!

GLBT Democrats are in the process of forming a chapter affiliated with the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and the National Stonewall Democrats. They need help this Saturday at St. Pete Pride, with encouraging individuals to join the group and get active.

We will be collecting signatures on petitions voicing opposition to the outrageous action by the Hillsborough County Commission last week. While a majority of Commissioners voted to ban the county from recognizing anything related to gay pride, LGBT Democrats are fighting to defend our rights in Hillsborough – and across Florida.

Plan to march with other proud Democrats in the Promenade at 10 a.m. and then spend some time helping at the Democratic booth from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please contact Rick Boylan for more information and to let him know you are available to lend a hand, by sending e-mailing him at RQBoylan@gmail.com or calling him at 727-363-6727.

St Pete Pride Promenade
Date 06/25 05
Time 10:00 am
Info Location: Assembly begins 9:00am area in parking lot across from The Metro Center, 3170 3rd Avenue North. (next to Georgie’s Alibi) in St. Petersburg.

St. Pete Pride Street Festival
Date 06/25 05
Time 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Info Location: Grand Central Business District, Central Avenue, St. Petersburg.

For other information and a complete schedule of activities planned in conjunction with St. Pete Pride, be sure to visit www.stpetepride.com.
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By MARK HOLAN
mholan@tampatrib.com



Photo by: JAY NOLAN
Dean McCane, 56 from Tampa, waves a flag during a packed meeting at the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa Tuesday night. The meeting, held by Equality Florida was in response to Tampa city commissioners gay pride policy.

TAMPA - Hillsborough County's refusal to recognize gay pride has reopened the campaign to protect sexual orientation in the county's Human Rights Ordinance.
More than 400 people packed the Metropolitan Community Church in Seminole Heights on Monday night to plan the effort and protest last week's county policy decision.

``They believe gay people shouldn't exist, and if we exist we should be forced to hide,'' said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, a gay and lesbian rights group. ``What they are trying to do will have the exact opposite effect.''

A large wooden cross behind her was draped with rainbow bunting, symbolizing the gay community.

``Pride is back,'' Smith said. ``Thanks for rousing us.''

Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena and Clerk of the Circuit Court Pat Frank, a former county commissioner, joined the call to reinstate the sexual-orientation provision rescinded in 1995.

``We are going to walk and talk and work against discrimination,'' said Frank, removing one of her red shoes and shaking it in the air, to the delight of the audience.

A downtown ``Pride is Back'' rally and march from the John F. Germany Library to the County Center is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday.

Last week Commissioner Ronda Storms called on the county to ``abstain from acknowledging, promoting and participating'' in gay pride recognition or events. She suggested the policy after a Gay Pride Month display at the West Gate Regional Library angered some parents.

Commissioner Kathy Castor was the only member to vote against the policy. Commissioner Ken Hagan missed the vote because he was outside the chamber but has said since then that he supports the policy.

On Monday, several members of the audience targeted Storms with signs and T-shirts, a few misspelling her first name: ``Don't Let Rhonda Storm on Anyone's Parade,'' and ``Stop Redneck Rhonda Storms.''

The most popular T-shirts, though, were those distributed by Equality Florida, which read: ``Banned in Hillsborough.''

The Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee sent a resolution to Monday's meeting condemning the vote and calling on all county residents to ``stand up for fairness.'' Party activists urged those at the meeting to form ``a strategic alliance.''

Members of the Log Cabin Republicans of Tampa Bay also were disappointed by the vote, said Jim Pease, president of the gay and lesbian GOP group.

In addition to Sunday's march, activists called for daily afternoon protests outside county center and said they will organize an interfaith church service on county grounds to oppose the policy and support diversity.

Others said they will organize events in the arts and business communities.

For now, gay activists are toning down threats about filing a lawsuit.

``We are looking at our options,'' said Karen Doering, regional counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. ``There are a lot of unknowns, and that's why it makes sense to see what happens.

If not removed by the courts, eliminating the policy could be difficult. Storms bolstered her proposal last week by requiring a public meeting and supermajority vote of the commission to overturn the policy.


Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691.



This story can be found at: http://www.tampatrib.com/FloridaMetro/MGB5OFFL7AE.html
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By William Butte

June 20, 2005

As millions of gay men and lesbians march down Main Street, U.S.A., to celebrate June as Gay Pride Month, the opening of Charles Dickens' classic novel A Tale of Two Cities comes to mind: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness ..."

When Dickens wrote these words in 1859, he was trying to capture the tumultuous times during the French Revolution. But if Dickens were alive now, he could easily express the same sentiment describing the political landscape of gay rights in America in 2005.

Today we are a nation seemingly divided into a tale of two countries, with the rights of gay Americans caught in the crossfire of our country's current revolution, the culture war.

These are arguably the best of times, so far, for America's gay community. In the 36 years since gays first fought against the pervasive homophobia of the times, millions of Americans have reached an age of wisdom about gays and lesbians. We're no longer seen as monsters and deviants, but as mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers, who are naturally attracted to people of the same sex.

In a relatively short time we have achieved a level of acceptance and equality in society -- from the corporate world to mainstream media to the ability of Massachusetts' gay couples to marry -- undreamed of by the gay men and lesbians who lived closeted lives during the Stonewall era.

But today's gay-friendlier climate still infuriates millions of religious conservatives who believe same-sex attraction is immoral and that the second term of George W. Bush's presidency is a mandate from God.

Inflamed by a presidential campaign that supported a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay couples from marrying, Bush's re-election was, in effect, like a boil being lanced on the neck of the religious right, causing an eruption of homophobic bigotry that's spread far beyond "protecting marriage from fringe groups," and is now evident from coast to coast in a revolutionary, determined effort to drag the gay community back to the worst of times.

Call it not the Age of Foolishness but the Age of Fundamentalism.

For example, when the Washington state Senate recently debated a bill prohibiting discrimination in employment, Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church, threatened Microsoft, the state's third largest employer, with a boycott by "values voters" if the company didn't pull its support for the bill. Microsoft acquiesced, and the measure failed by one vote.

Then there's the Rev. Donald Wildmon's American Family Association, threatening boycotts against gay-friendly corporate giants like Ford, Kraft Foods and Proctor & Gamble. P&G capitulated and pulled its ads from Will and Grace and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Bill Banuchi, executive director of the New York Christian Coalition, showed a keen regard for history recently when he said that gays should be required to wear warning labels. Perhaps he was thinking of pink triangles.

And don't forget Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who signed his state's new constitutional amendment prohibiting gays from marrying in the auditorium of a church school in Fort Worth. Afterward, a reporter asked Perry what he had to say "to gays and lesbians who are serving in the military right now in Iraq who are going to come back to Texas and may not be entitled to the same rights as the rest of us." Perry responded by saying, "If there is some other state that has a more lenient view than Texas, then maybe that's a better place for them to live." As a Washington Post editorial noted, his unworthy message was simple: If you don't like it, leave.

But perhaps the real message from the religious right to the gay community can be found on the fliers that flooded Southern Oregon University for two weeks. The fliers' hateful message stated: "And the Bible says that homosexual offenders should be put to death. So help eradicate homophobia now. Kill the Queer."

Again Dickens: "It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness ..."

William Butte resides in Deerfield Beach. E-mail him at wmbutte@bellsouth.net.



Copyright (c) 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Visit Sun-Sentinel.com
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After reading the article below from the St. Pete Times, we'd encourage you to thank Commissioner Castor for her support by contacting her or sending comments to Commissioners Storms or any or all of the other Commissioners, by clicking on this link:
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm

Fortunately, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has already come out in support of the GLBT community in this matter, stating "Gays and lesbians are part of our diversity and deserve our respect. That is a value that I hold dear," Iorio said at a breakfast organized to promote public art in Tampa. "We should build on tolerance, not intolerance."

Hillsborough bans county from recognizing gay pride
What began as a ban on library displays grows into a broad county policy.
By BILL VARIAN, Times Staff Writer
Published June 16, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA - Hillsborough Commissioner Ronda Storms promised last week to seek a county policy banning public library displays that promote Gay Pride and Lesbian Pride Month.

Storms went a step further Wednesday, getting most of her fellow commissioners to ban the county government from so much as acknowledging gay pride.

And she made it tough for the policy to be rescinded.

After scant discussion that contrasted with many impassioned pleas from gay rights advocates during the morning public comment period, the board passed the proposal 5-1.

Commissioner Kathy Castor voted no, and Commissioner Ken Hagan was out of the room during the vote.

The discussion went like this:

Storms: "I move that we adopt a policy that Hillsborough County government abstain from acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay pride recognition and events, little g, little p."

Castor: "I think it's inappropriate for government to promote discrimination."

Commissioner Brian Blair double-checked Storms' wording.

Then they voted.

Storms followed up with a second proposal, that commissioners can only repeal the policy on a 5-2 super majority vote that follows a public hearing. This time, Hagan was in the room and joined the majority in a 6-1 vote, with Castor again dissenting.

An attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights immediately pledged to file a lawsuit contending the policy violates free speech and equal protection rights for gays and lesbians.

"You don't hide the discrimination by making it broader," said Karen M. Doering of St. Petersburg, who serves as regional counsel to the group. "She found a mole hill she didn't like and blew up the mountain saying, "I don't like the mole hill.' "

Others cast blame on all of the commissioners who stood with her.

"I think that Hillsborough County commissioners sent a very clear message that not everyone is welcome here," said Vonn New, Central Florida director for the gay, lesbian and transgender rights advocacy group Equality Florida. "I think it's shameful what the commission has done."

By Wednesday, Equality Florida had already scheduled a town hall meeting on the topic at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Metropolitan Community Church, 408 E Cayuga St. in Seminole Heights. The church pastor, the Rev. Phyllis E. Hunt, attended Wednesday's meeting and left with her eyes welling, admitting her un-pastorly anger.

"I'm stunned, disappointed and shocked that there was zero conversation about the vote," she said.

The vote comes about a week after a story in the St. Petersburg Times noted that a book display recognizing Gay and Lesbian Pride Month was taken down at West Gate Regional Library after some library patrons complained. The story mentioned a similar exhibit at John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa.

Library officials have said the exhibit at West Gate was removed due to a misunderstanding and was later moved to a less prominent area in the fiction part of the library.

In the public comment portion of Wednesday's meeting, several speakers protested the library actions and any effort to squelch such displays, thinking that was all Storms had in mind.

With Storms' "little g, little p" footnote, the vote appears to ban any recognition of gay pride, even outside of June.

However, county officials were still trying to figure out the ramifications of the new policy.

Does it necessarily ban any display about gay issues at libraries? Storms would only say afterward that she feels the language is clear.

How about a display of books written by gay and lesbian authors, or that explore gay themes? Again, the language is clear, Storms said.

What if a gay student group wants to meet at a county library or any other meeting space?

Only on that point would Storms elaborate. "We're not saying that because of your sexual orientation you can't come into the library," she said.
See the full article

Jun 17, 2005

Mayor: Gays Deserve Respect
By MARK HOLAN and ELLEN GEDALIUS
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Mayor Pam Iorio on Thursday sought to distance the city from Hillsborough County's decision to refuse to acknowledge, promote or participate in gay pride events.
During a breakfast meeting at The Tampa Museum of Art, Iorio said everyone who lives, works or visits Tampa is welcome and respected.

``Our diversity is one of our strengths and should be celebrated,'' Iorio said. ``We build on tolerance, not intolerance. We should build on inclusiveness, not exclusivity. We are not a community that pits one group against another. This is a community that is built on the value of respect. Gays and lesbians are part of our diversity and deserve respect.''

Tampa city Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena read Iorio's remarks at Thursday's council meeting. She said the council supports a diverse community. No one spoke up to disagree.

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce President Kim Scheeler and Chairman Sam Ellison each refused to comment on the policy after luncheon meeting Thursday with county officials.

The two chamber leaders said they were not familiar with the policy and didn't have time to look into it for comment Thursday.

Commissioner Ronda Storms proposed the policy Wednesday after some parental complaints about a Gay Pride Month display at the West Gate Regional Library. Only Commissioner Kathy Castor opposed the policy.

The West Gate display, and two more like it at the John F. Germany branch downtown, was ordered dismantled shortly after the vote by Library Director Joe Stines, who said he consulted with Assistant County Attorney DeBora Cromartie-Mincey.

Stines and other county officials, however, were still questioning Thursday how to interpret and implement the policy.

``Our department, like everybody else, will wait to see what's in that policy,'' Stines said. ``I'll wait for direction from the attorneys.''

County Administrator Pat Bean and Deputy County Attorney Don Odom said they will draft guidelines for the board to review and the staff to follow.

People outside county center also were confused.

``That's one of the problems with the policy, its vagueness,'' said Rebecca Harrison Steele, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's West Central Florida regional office.

Karen Doering, regional counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said she can't figure out what the policy means other than that it appears to be broad in its scope. She wonders, for example, whether the sheriff's office would be allowed to provide deputies at gay pride parades.

Storms said ``the intent of the motion is clear'' but didn't offer further explanation. She said the policy is being ``construed and described in inaccurate ways,'' including an Internet site claiming gays will be arrested in Hillsborough.

Storms didn't appear worried by threats of a lawsuit against the county from American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.

``I'm not sure the courts will order Hillsborough County to promote'' gay rights, Storms said. ``That's the question.''

Determining how many gay men and lesbians live in the county is difficult.

Hillsborough had more than 3,100 same-sex couples, according to 2000 census data.

But the census does not ask about sexual orientation, and advocates estimate their population may be undercounted by as much as 50 percent because the census only counts gay men and lesbians in a relationship. Advocates also say some who answer the census might not acknowledge they are in a homosexual relationship to protect their privacy.

Brian Winfield, spokesman for Equality Florida, a statewide gay advocacy group, commended the city's efforts to attract a ``creative class.''

The term typically refers to young, upwardly mobile artists, entrepreneurs and other professionals, such as those the chamber is attempting to attract with its Emerge Tampa program.

The policy ``completely flies in the face of that,'' Winfield said. ``It's counterproductive to the financial and human resources that have been committed to the effort by Tampa [to be] a big-tent city that is welcoming.''

Doering also commended the city.

``It was very refreshing to hear an elected official publicly acknowledge the contributions of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgendered people,'' Doering said. ``Kathy Castor and the mayor are two of the very few elected officials I've seen that will stand up and not run and duck and hide.''

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691. Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

This story can be found at: http://tampatrib.com/MGB7QQRU1AE.html
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On June 15, 2005, County Commisioner's made the decision that Gay's are not welcome in Tampa, Florida. They decided that all Gay theme events would not be allowed in Hillsborough County. They also agreed to have all Gay themed books pulled from Public Libraries. They have also refused to grant benifits to partners of county workers. And anyone distributing Gay material in Hillsborough County will be arrested. The commisioner heading this bigoted crusade is Ronda Storms. To let her know how you feel on what she has done, feel free to either call her at 813-272-5740, or email her at http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm
and let her know were here, were queer, and we are not put up with her hatred any more.
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2005 Florida Democratic Party State Conference

December 9, 10, & 11

Orlando, Florida



Spaces are still available to become a delegate to the 2005 Florida Democratic Party State Conference at the Disney Contemporary Hotel in Orlando.



All applications must be submitted to the Broward County DEC or officers no later than August, 15, 2005. You may pick up your application at the DEC or print this email and fill out the application at the bottom.



Registration Fee: $45.00 to be submitted upon election made out to the Broward County DEC.

Student Fee: $20.00



The election will be held September 20, 2005 at the regular DEC Meeting.



You may submit your application to:



Broward DEC

1824 N. University Drive

Plantation, FL 33322



or fax to (954) 423-2204.



2005 FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATE CONFERENCE

DECEMBER 9, 10, 11

DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT, ORLANDO, FLORIDA

SUMMARY OF DELEGATE SELECTION RULES



Seventy-five percent (75%), and any fraction thereof, of the Delegates elected from each county shall be members of the County Democratic Executive Committee, and the remainder shall be non-members.



All Delegates must be registered Democrats in the State of Florida. Any registered Democrat may run for a Delegate position in the county where registered. All interested candidates are required to file with their County Chair, Vice Chair, State Committeewoman, or State Committeeman between July 1 - August 31, 2005. It is the responsibility of the County Party officers to make qualification forms available to any Democrat seeking them during the above mentioned dates. At the time of qualifying, all Delegate candidates shall sign a statement which commits them to working actively for the election of Democratic Candidates in the 2006 elections and a loyalty oath.



County Democratic Executive Committees are mandated to hold meetings for the purpose of electing Delegates between the dates of September 1 - September 30, 2005. The elections may take place at regularly scheduled Democratic Executive Committee meetings during these dates or at specially called meetings. County Chairs are required to notify the state headquarters of the date of their election at least two weeks prior to that date, but no later than September 30, 2005. The election shall be conducted pursuant to the Charter and Bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party.



It will be the decision of the County Chair whether or not candidates will be allowed to speak on behalf of their election. If so, each candidate will be allowed one minute to speak. There will be no speaking on behalf of other candidates or on behalf of a slate of candidates.



Only members of that county DEC, or their proxy, shall vote.



At the time of the election, each delegate shall complete the appropriate registration form and accompany the form with a nonrefundable $45.00 regular registration fee or a $20.00 student registration fee made payable to the local DEC.



(NOTE: Nondelegates will be allowed to attend convention workshops and seminars. The fee for nondelegates is $65.00.)



DELEGATE QUALIFICATION FORM

(Qualification Period: July 1 - August 31, 2005)

CANDIDATE INFORMATION (Please Print)



Name:________________________________________________________________________

(Last) (First) (Middle)



Address:______________________________________________________________________

(Street) (City) (State) (Zip Code)



Phone:__________________________________ ____________________________________

(Area Code) (Home) (Area Code) (Office)



Fax: _________________________________ E-mail: __________________________________





COUNTY DEC MEMBER: YES_____ NO _____ PRECINCT NO. __________



I certify that I am a registered Democrat in the county named above. I am committed to working actively for the election of Democratic candidates in the 2006 elections.



LOYALTY OATH FILLED OUT (SEE BELOW) _________





(Signed) _______________________________________ (Date) __________________________________



(To be completed by County Officers) Please Print



County Name _____________________________ Date: _________________________



Qualified by: ____________________________ CC ___ VC ___ SCW ___ SCM ___







LOYALTY OATH



County of ________________________



State of Florida





I, ____________________________________________, having been duly sworn, say that I am a member of the Democratic Party, that I am a qualified elector of ______________ County, Florida; that during my term of office, I will not support the election of the opponent of any Democratic nominee, I will not oppose the election of any Democratic nominee, nor will I support any non-Democrat against a Democrat in any election other than in judicial races; that I am qualified under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Florida and the Charter and Bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party to hold the office I am seeking, or to which I have been elected; that I have not violated any of the laws of the State of Florida relating to election or the Charter and Bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party.





___________________________________

Signature
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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
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