Dolphin Democrats

Politics in the LGBT Community

Official Notices

Dolphin Democrats Endorsed Angelo Castillo for Pembroke Pines Mayor

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Wilton Manors, FL – At their Feb. 12 membership meeting, the Dolphin Democrats endorsed Pembroke Pines Commissioner Angelo Castillo for mayor of the city. In 2004, Castillo was elected to the Pembroke Pines City Commission, becoming the first Hispanic American elected to serve on the commission in 30 years. He has served four times as Vice Mayor.

Castillo has also served as a member of the Broward County Charter Review Commission. He is a former chair and current member of the Broward County Planning Council; the Broward MPO; and the Broward County Tourist Development Council. Other board experience includes board member emeritus – Hispanic Unity of Florida; Broward County Juvenile Justice Board; Broward County Health Facilities Authority; Family Central; and Women in Distress.

The Dolphin Democrats encourage Castillo and the Pembroke Pines City Commission to continue efforts to further enhance LGBTQ+ equality for residents and visitors alike. Specifically, it has been suggested the City work to increase its score on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The current score for the City of Pembroke Pines is 71 out of 100. The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ people who live and work there.

See Castillo’s completed endorsement questionnaire HERE

 

March Membership Meeting

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Join us on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at our Membership Meeting. We will be hosting all the Democratic candidates for Broward County State Attorney and will be electing a Secretary to the currently vacant position. Meeting is held at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors. Doors open at 6:30pm and meeting will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Update 03/11/2020

February Minutes

March Agenda

We look forward to seeing you there!

Michael Bloomberg wins Presidential Preference straw poll at Dolphin Dems Meeting

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Wilton Manors, FL – Members of the Dolphin Democrats conducted a Presidential Preference Primary Straw Poll at their Feb. 12 monthly meeting. Michael R. Bloomberg won the straw poll garnering 32 percent of the votes. Coming in second was Pete Buttigieg at 25 percent, and third was Elizabeth Warren at 23 percent. Amy Klobuchar received 8.51 percent of the vote; Joe Biden received 6.38 percent; Bernie Sanders received 4.36 percent; and Tom Steyer received 0 percent.

 “We’re always looking for ways to excite LGBTQ+ Democrats in Broward County,” said Alfredo Olvera, President of the Dolphin Democrats. “The straw poll is a fun and exciting way to energize Democrats and find out the pulse of our caucus, but I want to stress it is not an official endorsement of the organization.

“I encourage all LGBTQ+ Broward Democrats to fight for their respective candidates with all their heart and passion, but in the end, we must come together to defeat President Trump.”

The Dolphin Democrats’ mission this election year is to Unite, Ignite, and Win.

The Dolphin Democrats will conduct a second and final straw poll at their Wednesday, March 11 membership meeting.

For more information, please visit https://www.dolphindems.org

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PRESS RELEASE

The Census is coming!

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March 12-20: Invite to respond Online

March 16-24: A reminder letter

If you haven’t responded:

March 26-April 3: A reminder postcard

April 8-16: A reminder letter and paper form

April 20-27: A final reminder, before in person follow up

Learn more at: https://2020census.gov/en.html

Statement in Response ahead of the Log Cabin Republicans Wilton Manors Press Conference

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NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

Jan. 13, 2020

Contact: Alfredo Olvera

President, Dolphin Democrats

[email protected]

Statement in Response ahead of the Log Cabin Republicans Wilton Manors Press Conference

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Donald Trump is no friend of the LGBTQ+ community. The Trump Administration has been abysmal for LGBTQ+ individuals in this country. He has actively worked to roll back protections and hard-fought wins achieved by our community. Below are a few of his numerous damaging policies:

  • He has not officially recognized Pride Month.
  • He withdrew protections for transgender individuals under Title IX.
  • He signed an executive order focused on “religious liberty,” setting the groundwork to allow discrimination against the LGBTQ+ Community based on religious beliefs.
  • Trump’s Justice Department stated that Title VII, which protects against employment discrimination, does not extend to LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military.

It is incumbent upon all organizations, regardless of their political stance, to be truthful to their memberships and to the public. As the oldest LGBTQ+ political organization in Florida, the Dolphin Democrats take that responsibility very seriously. A vote for Donald Trump in 2020 is a vote against the safety, freedom, and independence of the LGBTQ+ Community. Anyone claiming otherwise is selling a bill of false goods.

We remain committed to the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and rights. We will continue to uplift the most marginalized in our community; to register voters; to reach out to and educate our community; and to partner with allies who share our values. The 2020 election is too important to be distracted by President Trump, the Republican Party and the Log Cabin Republicans. We will stay focused on the real goal: Electing a pro-equality Democrat as president who represents the values of all Americans.

Press Release-Dolphin Democrats_01132020

February Annual Membership Meeting – Board of Directors Election

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February Annual Membership Meeting – Board of Directors Election

At our February 12, 2020 Annual Membership Meeting we will be electing 5 Directors with terms expiring on February, 2022.  We will also be electing a Secretary with term expiring on February 2021. 

Any person who would like to participate in the election as a candidate or a voter, must renew their membership or join by December 29, 2019.  Candidates shall also be registered as a Democrat living in Broward County, and be able and willing to attend and actively participate in the monthly membership meeting and Board of Directors meeting.

The Dolphin Democrats Board of Directors is a very active Board united in a common purpose, to strengthen and further the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party, which recognizes and promotes diversity, good will, and respect for all members of the community.   

Anyone interested in running for Director or Secretary must submit their names at [email protected] no later than February 2, 2020 

Join us today and become part of the change.

Official Notice: January Membership Meeting – Bylaws Amendments

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Official Notice: January Membership Meeting Bylaws Amendments

At our Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Membership meeting, the Bylaws Committee will be be presenting for membership vote the following proposed amendments to sections of the Bylaws:

1.Changed LGBTA to LGBTQ+ throughout the entire document. This is consistent with the state caucus.

2. Article VI, Sec. 5(c)(iii) – Reduced voting eligibility for officer and director elections from 45 to 40 days. This aligns the eligibility deadline better with the meeting schedule to increase eligible voters for the elections.

3. Article VIII, Sec. 2 – Added a requirement that all board of directors must receive Voter Registration Training within 6 months of assuming or being appointed to their position.

4. Article VIII, Sec. 6 Removed the word “board” from board member attendance at meetings and clarified that board members may only miss 4 meetings either board or general membership.

We encourage all of our members to review the updates before the meeting.  According to our current Bylaws, all amendments can only be approved by 2/3 of the members in attendance at the membership meetings, while meeting quorum.

For questions or concerns, please email Alfredo Olvera at [email protected]

See below links to print a copy of the “Bylaws Amendment Summary Sheet” and a copy of the Bylaws with the recommended changes red-lined.

Bylaw Amendments Summary Sheet – Jan 2020

Dolphin Democrats Bylaw Proposed Amendments – January 2020

UPDATE – 2020 Candidate Forums, Endorsement Dates

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This is an update to our previous post.

The Dolphin Democrats Announce their 2020 Election Endorsement Process
December 26, 2019 

For Immediate Press Release Contact: Alfredo Overa, ​[email protected]

In adherence with their bylaws, in 2020 The Dolphin Democrats will be conducting a series of video-taped candidate forums, open to the public, ahead of the organization’s formal vote of endorsements, which is scheduled to take place later this year, in a closed session to Dolphin Democrat Voting Members only.

The schedule below outlines when each candidate to that elected office will be invited to participate in these public forums.

UPDATED DATES:

January 8: Forum: Sheriff & SOE

February 12: Forum: Public Defender and Municipal Offices with election in March

March 11: Forum: State Attorney

April 15: Forum: School Board

May 13: Forum: Endorsement vote for State Attorney & Public Defender

May 13: Circuit Court Judge Forum 

June 10:  Forum: County Court Forum 

June 26:  Deadline to file for the 2020 Election

July 8:  State House & Senate Forum – Endorsement

August 12: Endorsement – Municipalities Part 1 (Cities to be announced)

September 9: Endorsement – Municipalities Part 2 

October 14: Final Round of Endorsements (Seats to be announced in Septemebr)

In addition, all candidates who would like to participate in the endorsement and their names be put in the endorsement ballot must complete the endorsement questionnaire. The endorsement questionnaire will be emailed to all the candidates who attend the forum, and will be available on our website ​www.Dolphindems.org​ at least 60 days before the endorsement vote.

For more information on the Dolphin’s endorsement process please contact ​Alfredo Olvera​ at [email protected] ​ or ​Zachary Durand​ at ​[email protected]

2020 Election – Candidate Forums and Endorsements Dates

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The Dolphin Democrats Announce their 2020 Election Endorsement Process
September 11, 2019 

For Immediate Press Release Contact: Alfredo Overa, ​[email protected]

In adherence with their bylaws, in 2020 The Dolphin Democrats will be conducting a series of video-taped candidate forums, open to the public, ahead of the organization’s formal vote of endorsements, which is scheduled to take place on July 8th, 2020 in a closed session to Dolphin Democrat Voting Members only.

The schedule below outlines when each candidate to that elected office will be invited to participate in these public forums.

DATES:

January 8 Forum: Sherriff & SOE

February 12 Forum: Clerk of Court & County & Municipal Offices with election in March

March 11 Forum: State Attorney

March 25 Forum: Public Defender

April 15 Forum: School Board

May 13th Forum: Judicial Forum

June 10 Forum: State & House Rep

June 26 Deadline to file for the 2020 Election

July 8 Closed Membership Meeting to Endorse the 2020 Primary Democrats

August 12 Endorsement – Municipalities Part 1 (Cities to be announced)

September 9 Endorsement – Municipalities Part 2 (Cities to be aDolphin Democrats_Press Release_2020 Endorsement Processnnounced)

October 14 Final Round of Endorsements (Seats to be announced)

In addition, all candidates who would like to participate in the endorsement and their names be put in the endorsement ballot must complete the endorsement questionnaire. The endorsement questionnaire will be emailed to all the candidates who attend the forum, and will be available on our website ​www.Dolphindems.org​ at least 60 days before the endorsement vote.

For more information on the Dolphin’s endorsement process please contact ​Alfredo Olvera​ at [email protected] ​ or ​Zachary Durand​ at ​[email protected]