Lauderdale Mayor Refuses to Apologize
Wyman Hudson: Fight Out Loud
Lauderdale Mayor Refuses to Apologize
Claims "He Spoke the Truth"
NGN Story Goes National
By Norm KentClaims "He Spoke the Truth"
NGN Story Goes National
The Fort Lauderdale Mayor who said he would not call homosexuals gay because "most of them are unhappy" has not only refused to apologize, he has reaffirmed and restated his opinion.
According to Waymon Hudson, the President of Fight OUT Loud, a new activist group in South Florida (www.fightoutloud.org), one of his friends was inspired to write to Mayor Jim Naugle to protest his aspersions against the GLBT community.
As organizers were planning a protest for Wednesday so as not to interfere with a City Commission funding vote on the Stonewall Library for Tuesday nite, Hudson 's associate received the following reply from Naugle about an apology: " Thank you for letting me know your view. I spoke the truth and will not apologize. -Jim "
The letter was received after Hudson had sent an open letter encouraging citizens to stand up to the Mayor's comments.
Stated Hudson , "Our community cannot stand for this type of hate-filled rhetoric towards us. We must speak up with one loud voice to tell Mayor Naugle what we think of his ignorant words. I encourage everyone to email the mayor and the city commissioners to demand action."
Mayor Jim Naugle
'The point is, Hudson continued, 'The Mayor's comments are meant to demonize gays and lesbians, and can often lead to great harm. When a public figure openly makes anti-gay comments, it allows others to show their anti-gay bigotry in more violent ways.'
National Gay News.com had also demanded a retraction from the Mayor last week but it has not been forthcoming. The Mayor has been out of the country vacationing but had communicated by email with staff and associates, and is expected to be at the city commission meeting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the AP has picked up the story, noting that Equality Florida representatives are asking gays and lesbians to send a virtual email to the Mayor of a roll of toilet paper.This story will be updated as it develops.
See also:
Michael Albetta's And Dean Trantalis Comments
Read The Story From The Sun-Sentinel
'NGN Publisher Censures Fort Lauderdale Mayor'
Gay Toilet Paper Protest
