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Dolphin Democrat News
Don't be mislead by the following ad that appeared in this week's Express Gay News:
This is nothing but another attempt by the same individuals who recently tried to derail the proposal to add transgender protection to Broward County 's civil rights ordinance. This proposal has been unanimously approved by the Broward County Human Rights Board and is being prepared for presentation to the County Commission , where passage is expected.
They were unsuccessful in their attempts at July 16 meeting of the Human Rights Board and in fact were the ONLY individuals who spoke in favor of delaying this ordinance change. They base their claims on the outside chance that adding transgender protection will cause right-wing elements within Broward County to try and overturn all GLBT protection.
Unfortunately, these individuals seem to be living in the 1990's, not the progressive community that is Broward County today. They seem to think that the County is populated with "Naugleites". Most of us in the GLBT community and our allies, as demonstrated by the recent anti-Naugle rallies and level of community support, believe this is nothing more than a scare tactic.
The transgender community has waited for more than 10 years for their chance at protection of their civil rights. I do not understand how anyone who was at the July 16 meeting and heard the pleas from the transgender community that they need protection now could think otherwise.
While we respect their right to their opinion, we believe the GLBT community must stand united and say that now is the time to eliminate transgender discrimination in all of Broward County .
Sincerely,
Bill Vayens
Rally- At City Hall - Tues. July 24th
Join local, state and national leaders and at the UNITE Fort Lauderdale And As Always The Dolphin Democrats Rally on Tuesday July 24th at 4pm at the Fort Lauderdale City Hall 100 N. Andrews Ave. The Rally is a community response to the recent bigoted comments by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. Naugle has drawn national condemnation and ridicule for attempting to justify the purchase of a a $250,000 robotic toilet by stirring anti-gay sentiment. By last week, Equality Florida members and supporters had sent more than 500 emails to City Hall chastising the Mayor for his most recent in a long succession of anti-gay bigoted statements. Click here to send a message of your own to the Mayor.The rally is sponsored by the newly formed grassroots organization called UNITE Fort Lauderdale. Born out of the town hall Equality Florida helped organize earlier this month, UNITE Fort Lauderdale is a diverse coalition aimed at restoring Fort Lauderdale's image as an open and inclusive community. The rally begins at 4pm, speakers begin at 5pm. Rally Participants include: Howard Simon- Florida Executive Director of the ACLU
Lori Parrish- Broward County Property Appraiser
Matt Foreman- Executive director of The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Stacey Ritter- Broward County Commissioner
Andrew L. Rosenkranz- Florida Regional Director from the Anti-Defamation League
Ken Keechl- Broward County Commissioner
Nadine Smith- Executive Director Equality Florida
Mitch Ceasar- Chairman of the Broward County Democratic Party
Dean Trantalis- Former Vice Mayor of Fort Lauderdale
Dr. Hal McSwain- Pastor of First Congregational Church of Fort Lauderdale
Durrell Watkins- Senior Pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral
Mike D Payne- Representative of the International Longshoremen's Union
Stephan Lampasso- Representative of HRC
Rabbi Greg Kanter- Jewish Light The rally will have a DJ, as well as live entertainment. Café Piazza located across from City Hall will be available for food and drinks at a special rate for the rally. A Election '08 News Site: For News And Commentary: For Florida Election News See: Political Talk For And By Political Junkies Just Rumors The Rumor Mills
N.C. pastor asks why religion is being used to deny civil marriage to gays and lesbians
Rev. Reggie Longcrier, pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, N.C., submitted a question on marriage equality for the CNN's YouTube Presidential debate. It's a powerful, short and simple video. While Longcrier's question could have been asked of all of the presidential candidates ), he happened to direct the question to former N.C. Senator John Edwards because of his statement that he is unable at this time to "cross that bridge" to support marriage equality.
New Facility Offers Public Local Resources
In recent articles by the Sun-Sentinel and other newspapers, Stonewall Library & Archives has been referred to as an "adult book collection" and a "gay-themed library".
That is akin to referring to Fort Lauderdale's splendid African-American Library and Research Center as "black-themed" or the Smithsonian Institution's American History Museum a "memorabilia collection." Such descriptions trivialize the importance of the collection and continue to minimize and marginalize the role of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in American history.
National Media Cover Oust Naugle Effort
| Unite Fort Lauderdale is organizing events to demand Mayor Jim Naugle's resignation for his derogatory and divisive comments. On July 24, at 4PM, there will be a protest at Fort Lauderdale City Hall. CLICK HERE to check out the list of national media coverage this is getting, plus useful links pertaining to the event. | | |
MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT PUT ON HOLD
Judy and Dennis Shepard
Founders - Matthew Shepard Foundation | The Matthew Shepard Act has been put on hold for now! We appreciate all of your emails and phone calls to your Senators over the past two weeks as we have been anticipating a vote on this historic measure. Unfortunately, as an amendment to the Department of Defense bill, the vote has been delayed due to debate about the war in Iraq. But, please continue your calls and emails to your U.S. Senators. Let them know that all Americans regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability deserve to be free from violence and crimes committed because of hatred and bias. CALL NOW!
ASK YOUR SENATOR TO SUPPORT THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT CALL - 202-224-3121
ASK FOR YOUR SENATORS OFFICE The Matthew Shepard Act would be a bold step forward in our goal to erase hate, BUT OUR WORK CANNOT END HERE. Beyond this critical piece of legislation, the Matthew Shepard Foundation will move forward to educate our society about the harmful and sometimes tragic effects of hate. Please watch for the launch of a bold new initiative this fall from the Matthew Shepard Foundation the Erase Hate Campaign. |
Gay-Rights Groups Buoyed by Recent Gains
| The latest twists in the gay marriage debate create an oddly divided America, with only its Northeast corner and Pacific Coast recognizing same-sex unions. But gay-rights leaders are encouraged by progress on other parts of their agenda across the nation's heartland. Three more states -- Oregon, Iowa and Colorado -- have enacted laws this year outlawing anti-gay discrimination, raising the total to 20 states that account for more than half the U.S. population. Twelve of those states extend those protections to transgender people. Read More... |
Flush Naugle Update
Tuesday, July 17th
5:00 PM - Press Conference, City Hall
6:00 PM - Silent protest at Commission Meeting, City Hall
Friday, July 20th
5:00 PM - "Community Involvement Party" at
Georgie's Alibi
2266 Wilton Drive
Sunday, July 22nd
5:00P PM - "Sign Making Party" at
Uncle's Nightclub
1000 West State Road 84
Tuesday, July 24th
Rally at City Hall - 100 N Andrews Ave
4:00 PM - Organization & Gathering
5:00 PM - Rally & Speakers - Come Be Counted! | 
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Gay Activists Plot Strategy Against Naugel
Members of the Fort Lauderdale gay community erupted in outrage this week when Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle said he supports the city's recent proposal for a single-occupancy robotic toilet because it would help prevent "homosexual activity." In response, almost 200 activists attended a town hall meeting at the Dolphin Democrats Meeting on Wednesday night to offer ideas on how to respond to the mayor's comments.
GOP Florida State Rep. Allen Charged in Gay Oral Sex Solicitation
| Florida State Representative Bob Allen (R-Merritt Island) was arrested on Wednesday after offering to perform oral sex on a male police officer for $20. The Miami Herald reports that Allen told a Central Florida television station the incident was ''a very big misunderstanding'' and a "gross mistake." Said Allen: ''I'm not in anyway associated with that they are saying, this is disgusting." | | |
Demonstration against Mayor Naugle
 | 7-12 More on Naugle
Jim speaks with Michael Rajner about last night's town hall meeting to deal with Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Naugle's recent actions and statements against the gay community.
 
To download the podcast, right-click and select "Save As" from the menu. |
Serial Adulterer Sen. Vitter Pontificates against Gay Marriage
| | "Marriage is the most fundamental social institution in human history," Sen. David Vitter says in the video clip above. This statement came as part of the debate last summer over amending the U.S. Constitution to prevent gay people from marrying each other. At the time, Vitter told CNN,"I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one." Over the years, of course, Vitter has degraded and defiled his own marriage by hiring prostitutes, including at least one call girl from the D.C. Madam. Prior to that, Wendy Cortez, a prostitute in New Orleans, claimed in 1999 that Vitter had an ongoing affair with her. Maybe he met her at this brothel: In New Orleans, meanwhile, the madam of a high-priced brothel that was shut down by federal authorities in 2002 told a local television station, WDSU, that Mr. Vitter was one of her clients in the 1990s. The woman, Jeanette Maier, called him "one of the nicest and most honorable men I've ever met." Mr. Vitter's office did not immediately return a call for comment Tuesday night. |
Faith Leaders Speak Out in Support of Senate Passage of Hate Crimes Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2007 Brad Luna | Phone: 202/216.1514 | Cell: 202/812.8140 Christopher Johnson | Phone: 202/216.1580 | Cell: 202/716.1628 Faith Leaders Speak Out in Support of Senate Passage of Hate Crimes Legislation More than 1300 sign letter urging Senate to pass the Matthew Shepard Act; New Print Ad Highlights Black Clergy Support WASHINGTON Today, the Human Rights Campaign released a list of more than 1,300 faith leaders who have signed on to a letter urging the U.S. Senate to passage the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105) that would update the current hate crimes law. Additionally, a new full page print ad appears in today's edition of Roll Call that highlights the broad support of black clergy and civil rights leaders voicing support for hate crimes legislation. The new ad is sponsored by a coalition that includes the Human Rights Campaign, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the National Black Justice Coalition. Today's clergy letter was released by the Human Rights Campaign, along with a coalition of organizations that include the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Interfaith Alliance, and the Religious Action Center. The 1,385 faith leaders signing the letter represents a broad spectrum of religious voices urging passage of a hate crimes bill that is expected for a Senate vote in the near future. The letter states, "We would not support a bill that did not contain ample protections for free speech, including preaching and statements of religious belief. This law does not criminalize or impede upon religious expression in any way." Read the complete letter at www.clergyagainstha te.org. In addition to the letter, the Human Rights Campaign, along with the Leadership Council on Civil Rights and the National Black Justice Coalition, has also published a full page ad in today's edition of Roll Call. The ad features a theologically diverse group of black clergy representing tens of thousands of Americans speaking out in support of proposed hate crimes legislation. The ad states, "As leaders in the black clergy community, we want to voice our strong support for the Matthew Shepard Act. Our faith tells us that an act of hate upon one member of our community whether because of race, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is an attack on all of us." To view the ad, please go to: www.hrc.org/ fighthate/ clergyad The Matthew Shepard Act would update the current hate crimes statute, enacted in 1964, to include more Americans and provide increased protections for those groups already covered under existing law. Nothing in this legislation prohibits the lawful expression of one's deeply held religious beliefs. Neither the current hate crimes law nor the expanded measures criminalize thoughts or speech; they only criminalize violent acts. During the House Judiciary Committee's consideration of the bill, committee members explicitly noted that nothing in this legislation would prohibit the lawful expression of one's deeply held religious beliefs. To further ensure that there was no ambiguity on this point, an additional amendment offered by Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., was adopted at markup. The amendment unequivocally stated that conduct protected under the First Amendment's free expression and free exercise clauses was not subject to prosecution. On Thursday, May 3, the U.S. House of Representatives, passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592), by a strong bipartisan margin of 237 to 180 with more than 20 Republicans voting in support. The identical Senate legislation is expected to be voted on shortly. The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. -30-
The Senate Health Committee will have a hearing on Thursday to consider the nomination of Dr. James Holsinger to be surgeon general. Dr. Holsinger has high-level experience as a health administrator, but there are disturbing indications that he is prejudiced against homosexuals. What's troubling is the view he once expressed and may still hold on homosexuality, through his activities as a lay leader in the United Methodist Church. On the church's judicial council, he supported a minister who refused to allow a gay man to join his congregation and argued that a lesbian minister should be removed because church doctrine deems the practice of homosexuality to be "incompatible with Christian teaching." His supporters say these rulings should not be read as his personal views because the council can't change church doctrine. However, some council members opposed his views, and the bishops later rejected his decision. His strongest statement on homosexuality can be found in a murky, loosely reasoned paper that he wrote for a church committee in 1991. Titled "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality," the paper purported to be a scientific and medical review. It argued that gay sex was abnormal on anatomical and physiological grounds and unhealthy, in that anal sex can lead to rectal injuries and sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Holsinger did not brand the large number of heterosexual women who engage in anal sex as abnormal, failed to acknowledge the huge burden of disease spread heterosexually and implied that women are more likely than men to avoid injuries with generous lubrication. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Thursday July 12th 10:00 am
Lauderdale Mayor Refuses to Apologize
Wyman Hudson: Fight Out Loud By Norm Kent
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
Flush Mayor Naugle
Help us wipe-clean Mayor Naugle's dirty mind by sending a roll of toilet paper to city hall today! Sometimes elected officials say something so foolish and just plain wrong that the only appropriate response is ridicule. Today is such a day for Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. This week Mayor Naugle made headlines when he justified the purchase of $250,000 robotic toilets as necessary to stop what he described as a plague of "homosexual activity" in public restrooms. The Mayor's gay sexual fantasies don't match reality according to police sergeant Frank Sousa who said ""There's no evidence, no reports or arrests made for any men having sex in any restrooms." organizations are asking everyone to let the Mayor know what you think about his outrageous characterization of our community by mailing a roll of toilet paper to his office Charmin, Kleenex, or Angel Soft will do fine. Send your roll of toilet paper to:  The Not So Honorable Jim Naugle
City Hall
100 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Tel. (954) 828-5003/5004You can also email the mayor an electronic roll of toilet paper by clicking here:Naugle, known for making inflammatory remarks about many groups, continued with his attack saying, "I don't use the word 'gay.' I use the word 'homosexual.' Most of them aren't gay. They're unhappy." When you mail your toilet paper to the mayor, be sure to let him know just how happy you are happy that this is his last term of office.
Wilton Manors: Stonewall festival honors community, political activists
Three community leaders were given leadership awards at the Stonewall Street Festival and Parade gay pride event last week. The Dana Manchester Humanitarian Award was presented to Richard Rogers and Bill Mullins, said festival chairman Marc Hansen. The couple, who have been together for 46 years, have volunteered with several charitable efforts, including the Poverello Center. The Karl Clark Community Service Award went to Michael Albetta, Hansen said. Albetta is a political activist who serves as president of the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Caucus. The festival and parade are held every June, to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City, which was the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. CLICK HERE FOR STORYCopyright © 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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