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September 9th Membership Meeting & Endorsements
Join us for our September Membership Meeting.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
6:30pm – Check-In
7:00pm – Meeting Starts
Zoom link to registered has been emailed to all 2020 paid members
You can read the questionnaires HERE
Election Day – Tuesday, August 18th.
New Logo
The Dolphin Democrats Board of Directors is excited to announce and present the organization’s updated logo.
We wish that when any LGBTQ+ person whether they are a Democrats or just part of the community at-large sees this logo, they feel represented and hopefully get encouraged to join us in the fight for equality and continue the legacy of those before us.
We would like to thank the talented Landon St. Gordon for designing the log and Mike Worley at MDWCOMM ( https://mdwcommunications.com/) for their contribution to our organization. We will be forever grateful.
We Are Excited To Endorse Joe Biden
At a June 3rd meeting, the members of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus endorsed Joe Biden for President. As an affiliate chapter of the State Caucus, the Dolphin Democrats also endorse Joe Biden for President.
As of today, Former Vice President Joe Biden has surpassed the 1991 delegates to claim the nomination on the first ballot of the Democratic Convention.
It is time to do the work and send much needed new leadership to “1600 Black Lives Matter Plaza”
Buy Your ‘Vote 2020’ T-Shirt Today
You can now purchase ‘Vote 2020’ T-Shirts HERE. $15 each +Shipping Fee. We have sizes XS- XXXL available.
For a limited time you can use Promo Code LGBTQ2020 to get $5 off your purchase.
2020 Awards Gala & Silent Auction
Save the Date – Join us on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at our 2020 Awards Gala & Silent Auction. at The Dalmar Hotel – Ft. Lauderdale
Tickets on sale now: https://www.dolphindems.org/2020-awards-gala/
The Manor & Dolphin Democrats
Present
“A Celebration of Marriage Equality”
“Benefiting Stonewall Library
& Archives”
Honoring Congressman Barney Frank
& Jim Ready
with Celebrity Guests
Barney Frank &
Debbie Wasserman Shultz
In Epic Ballroom
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May13, 2012 at the Pride Center at Equality Park 2040 A North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL
7:00 pm – FREE pizza and soft drinks hosted by Howard Forman
7:30 pm – Program starts.
From Our President, Tim Ross
On May 22, I sent out a letter to the remaining 25 mayors in Broward county who had not signed the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Statement asking them to sign the statement. Since they live in Davie, I also asked Dolphin Democrats members and longtime partners Gary Hensley and Bob Bernhardt to approach Davie Mayor Judy Paul on the issue. I am proud to announce that Gary and Bob have informed me that Judy Paul has signed the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Statement. In addition Mayor Marilyn Gerber of Coconut Creek, and Mayor Mike Ryan of Sunrise have also signed the statement.
At this time, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Mayor Marilyn Gerber of Coconut Creek, Mayor Judy Paul of Davie, and Mayor Mike Ryan of Sunrise for their support of Marriage Equality. Marriage matters to LGBT people in similar ways that it matters to everyone. Gay and lesbian couples want to marry, make a lifetime commitment to one another, and protect their families. Marriage says “We are family” in a way that no other word does. It is one of the few times that people make a public promise of love and responsibility for each other and ask friends and family to hold us accountable. It’s as basic as the Golden Rule. Marriage strengthens families, and it provides couples with the tools to build an enriched and secure life for themselves and for their families. Thank you for affirming that we are family in time for us to celebrate your support during June, which is Gay Pride Month.
This month, I will be asking other Dolphin Democrat members in committed relationships to contact their mayors who have not yet signed the statement. I hope to make more announcements as the month progresses.
Thanks,
Tim Ross
President
The Dolphin Democrats
Letter to Jack Seiler Regarding His Comments on Marriage Equality
Hon. John Seiler, Mayor
City of Ft. Lauderdale
City Hall
100 North Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
March 21, 2012
RE: Sun-Sentinel Article “Mayors back gay marriage”
Dear Mayor Seiler:
I write to you on behalf of the members of the Dolphin Democratic Club, and for those who believe in equality and justice for all. In a March 10, 2012 article in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper, several mayors of municipalities within Broward County are quoted as endorsing equal rights for all humans, including the right of marriage, regardless of a person’s sexual orientation. Mayor Frank Ortis of Pembroke Pines, Mayor Lori Moseley of Miramar, and Mayor Joy Cooper of Hallandale Beach all joined in supporting marriage equality. Your name, however, was conspicuously missing from the list of supporters. The LGBT community continues to fight the battle for equality, and as Mayor of a city that possesses one of the highest concentrations of LGBT members in the country, people look to you to champion for all people that you represent. Your quoted comments made it appear as if the LGBT community should be happy with domestic partnership benefits and appointments to volunteer city advisory boards. Are you kidding?
In the on-line version of the Sun-Sentinel story, you go on to say that because state law does not allow for gay marriage, the subject is moot and it just wasn’t something you intended to spend much time thinking about. Mr. Mayor, I remind you that this state used to restrict the rights of African-Americans, Jews, Native Americans and many others, and if it were not for the courage and moral fortitude of our leaders, we would still be living in a society that denies equal rights to these Americans. Through your statements, you have clearly abdicated your role as a responsible leader by dismissing a large segment of your constituency to second-class status. I believe that all members of the LGBT community and those who possess a progressive mind find your statements unacceptable. Adding to this, you once again failed to appear at the recent annual gay-pride event which was held at Ft. Lauderdale’s Holiday Park. We are not sure why you haven’t spent much time considering the issue of equal rights for everyone, but we do know that achieving equality is a challenge that must engage all segments of our community, and certainly our elected officials must lead the charge.
If you believe that your words were misconstrued or taken out of context, we invite you to our Club meeting to explain your position so that there is no misunderstanding. Our relationship with you has always been supportive and cordial, and we hope that we can be assured of your continued support of our community. The LGBT community will only stand behind those who share our vision of equality, and we will not accept a secondary role in our society. We look forward to hearing from you.
Very truly yours,
TIMOTHY A. ROSS, President
VOTE BY MAIL 2012–2014
ALL BROWARD VOTERS NEED TO REAPPLY
ALL BROWARD VOTERS NEED TO REAPPLY
Voters who wish to cast their ballots by mail may make a single request to get absentee ballots for every election through 2012. Absentee ballots no longer need a reason. People can use them if they prefer to vote by mail. Broward voters who want absentee ballots, either for a single election or for multiple elections, need to request them from the Supervisor of Elections Office. Requests can be made in person, by mail, by phone or by filling out an application online. Call 954-357-7055 for details or applyonline here.
* Online requests are only for 1 year
* Phone requests can be for every election through 2014.
Join the Dolphin Democrats Facebook Group, like the Dolphin Democrats Facebook Page, or follow the Dolphin Democrats on Twitter.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at the Pride Center at Equality Park 2040 A North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL
7:00 pm – FREE pizza and soft drinks hosted
7:30 pm – Program starts. Our program will include:
From Our President, Tim Ross
I would like to thank the membership of the Dolphin Democrats for the outpouring of concern (as well as strawberries and cashews) I received on my recent stay in the hospital from Monday, March 12 through Wednesday, March 21. It was heart wrenching to have missed our meeting on March 14th, and I was in denial about that until late Wednesday morning March 14th. Thanks to our Secretary, Sal Torre, and Director John Beuscher, everything was setup for the meeting. Our Vice President Julie Carson did a great Job officiating while Stuart Milk swore in our board. All in all, our March meeting was a huge success thanks to all of them.
There were over 200 posts of concern on Facebook for me while I was in the hospital . I would have been a total mess in the hospital without Michael Rajner, who took the bus (because his car was in the shop) to bring me strawberries, cashews, my laptop, underwear, socks, and toiletries. Michael Rajner asked me to let a friend (who shall remain unnamed in this communication) know that friends don’t let friends ride the bus! The hospital would not let me take a shower for the entire nine days, and it was a relief (thanks to Michael Rajner and the toiletries he brought) to be able to wash my hair in the sink, have clean underwear, warm socks, and a cache of food when dietary screwed up and forgot my meals or brought me things I should not be eating. Michael came to visit me three times, was on the phone with me daily, and really helped me a lot. Thank you Michael!
I would also like to thank our Sergeant of Arms Jack Doren (who brought me strawberries AND cashews) Director Ed Leuchs, Director Ken Evans, and Michael Lockwood (who both brought me strawberries when I was in the CCU after my heart surgery), Linda Jain and Katy Peterson (who both brought me strawberries). I also received a visit from Jahra McLawrence (who ran for judge in 2010), and was visited in the CCU after my surgery by David Park, our Treasurer Tim Hart, and David Stack (the Wilton Manors Voter Registration Captain for OFA). Did I mention thanks for the strawberries and cashews? LOL!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Secretary Sal Torre, Director and former President Dean Trantalis, and Michael Albetta for supporting Tom Green in his campaign for Wilton Manors Commission. Tom had a fundraiser Thursday at the Manor. Sal staffed the sign-in table, and Michael and Dean were also present. The coconut shrimp at The Manor is TO DIE FOR! Tom is a founding member of the Dolphin Democrats. Tom’s election will be on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Tom will have other fundraisers, about which we will give notices in our newsletters and on our website. This will allow other members of the Dolphin Democrats the opportunity to step up to the plate to support one of our own who is a founding member. Once again, thanks to Sal, Dean, and Michael for representing the Dolphin Democrats at Tom’s fundraiser.
We need to setup an ECO (Electioneering Communications Organization) and a Non Profit (we might do a Super-PAC like Stephen Colbert!) so we are in compliance with state and federal campaign finance regulations. We need this to ensure that the funds for our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Center this year are reported properly in compliance with campaign finance regulations. We may have a fundraiser for our ECO and Non Profit at The Manor in June, because I think it is important that we patronize gay businesses in our community. I am pricing catering as well from other gay businesses on Wilton Drive for us to have this event at Hagen Park. Look ahead for further announcements.
On Wednesday, March 21, I had a letter from the Dolphin Democrats hand delivered to Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler regarding his comments on Marriage Equality in the Sun-Sentinel on March 9, 2012. Several mayors in Broward County have signed The Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Statement. They are Mayor Joy Cooper of Hallandale Beach, Mayor Lori Mosely of Miramar, Mayor Frank Ortis of Pembroke Pines, and last but not least, Mayor Gary Resnick of Wilton Manors. If your mayor is not on this list, call her or him and ask them to sign the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Statement at http://www.freedomtomarry.org/
I have included the text of the letter to Jack Seiler below. I would like members of the Dolphin Democrats who reside in the City of Fort Lauderdale (as well as the LGBT community) to contact him at (954) 828-5003 or via e-mail at [email protected] to ask him why he has been silent on this letter. Ask him why he has not contacted the Dolphin Democrats over my open invitation in this letter to speak at a Dolphin Democrats meeting. Let him know he can reach me at(866) 478-8262 or [email protected] if he wants to setup an appearance before the Dolphin Democrats at our April 11, 2012 meeting at 7:30 pm at thePride Center at Equality Park, 2040 A North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL. I will make him our primary speaker at that meeting if he would like.
Thanks,
Tim Ross
Letter to Jack Seiler Regarding His Comments on Marriage Equality
Congratulations to Bryan Caletka Win on March 13th in Davie
Bryan Caletka is an openly gay town council member in Davie. He was re-elected on March 13 , with 62% of the vote. Thank you to any and all Dolphin Democrat members who helped by making campaign contribution, phone calls, knocking on doors, or by waving signs at the polls.
President Obama – LGBT Event and Photo Reception
I just wanted to send everyone a quick message to let you know about an exciting opportunity coming up this April. The LGBT Obama for America Leadership Council, in conjunction with LGBT for Obama, will be welcoming President Barack Obama for an LGBT-themed event and photo reception April 10th, in Hollywood, Florida.
This reception represents a truly unique opportunity to receive a high-level briefing b Obama for America staff persons and to learn more about the campaign's LGBT program at both the national and local level. The reality is that this type of event isn't being held in every state and its placement in Florida demonstrates how important both Florida and the LGBT community are to the Obama campaign. It is truly a rare opportunity that you should not miss.
For more information and to RSVP please visit: my.barackobama.com/
Sincerely,
Michael Kenny
(Michael Kenny is the Executive Director of Florida Together, and attended our gala in October, 2011. He sent this note using his personal e-mail because Florida Together is a nonprofit Organization)
Organizing for America
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We have additional new staff in Central Broward! Jermaine Freeman has joined the Broward OFA team from Tennessee. Jermaine will be responsible for East Tamarac, North Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate and East Sunrise. Yasmin Nasser is joining the Broward OFA team in a staff capacity. Yasmin has been a star in the office day in and day out for the past 6 months. Yasmin will be responsible for Wilton Manors, Oakland Park and Lauderdale Lakes. If you are an active volunteer in one of these areas, expect to hear from Jermaine and Yasmin soon..
As always you are welcome in the main OFA office at 3300 Inverrary Blvd in Lauderhill from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm weekdays, and 11:30 am to 7:30 pm on Saturdays. We need volunteers for phone banking, canvassing, voter registration, and data entry. You can see and RSVP to all our events online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Monday Every Week Voter Registration: Main Courthouse 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, YOU MUST BE CERTIFIED BY OFA TO REGISTER PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, RSVP to Gary McClellan at 954-776-6871.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday Every Week Phone Bank: OFA Office, 3300 Inverrary Blvd, Lauderhill; 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, RSVP to Jermaine Freeman at 423-785-6605
Thursday Every Week Voter Registration Training: OFA Office, 3300 Inverrary Blvd, Lauderhill; 6:30 pm RSVP to Meaghan Hardy at 954-254-7138 followed by commitment during the week at courthouses and libraries
Wednesday Every Week (beginning March 21): Phone Bank for Volunteer Recruitment and Vote by Mail Re-enrollment, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Genesis Banquet Center, 6455 W. Commercial Blvd, Tamarac; RSVP to June Jones/Jermaine Freeman at954-695-4828
Saturday Every Week, Phone Bank and Canvass for Volunteer Recruitment & Vote by Mail Re-enrollment, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Camp Live Oak, 1131 NE 45th St (Floranada Rd) Oakland Park, RSVP to Betty DiMaio at [email protected] or954-638-8762
Saturday Every Week Phone Bank and Canvass 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Voter Registration Training 11:30am: Trantalis Law Office, 2255 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors; RSVP to Michael Francis at 305-458-8928 followed by commitment during the week at courthouses and libraries
Saturday, March 31: Pompano OFA Office Grand Opening 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Pompano Beach OFA office, 950 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Sunday April 1: Voter Registration Training 9:30 am, and Jazz fest Voter Registration Event 11:00 am to 2:00 pm: Voter Registration Training at Esplanade Condo Social Room 401 SW 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Monday April 2: Phone Bank 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Camp Live Oak, 1131 NE 45th St (Floranada Rd) Oakland Park, RSVP to Betty DiMaio at [email protected], 954-638-8762, or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Tuesday April 3: Women Calling for Affordable Care 11:00 am to 2:00 pm: OFA-FL volunteers and team members are coming together to make calls to our community in support of the Affordable Care Act. Most of the people we'll be talking to are women who directly benefit from the bill, and we'll be sharing ways the Affordable Care Act makes a difference in their lives. If you're able, please bring your cell phones to help make calls! Kenny Davis Office, 1773 N. State road 7, Lauderhill, RSVP to Jermaine Freeman at 423-785-6605 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Tuesday April 3: Phone Bank 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Pompano Beach OFA office, 950 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Wednesday April 4: Broward College Voter Registration two shift, 9:00 am and 10:30 am: Broward College – Library 101 Coconut Creek Blvd, Coconut Creek, YOU MUST BE CERTIFIED BY OFA TO REGISTER PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, RSVP to Eileen Pangione at 954-970-0802 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Wednesday April 4: Pompano Voter Registration Training 10:30 am to 1:30 pm: Pompano Beach OFA office, 950 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Wednesday April 4: Voter Registration Training 3:00 PM to 5:00 pm: Old Dillard Museum 1009 NW 4th St, Fort Lauderdale, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Thursday, April 5: Pompano Data Entry Training Session 10:30 am to 12:30 pm: learn how to be able to enter data from our nightly phone banks. You can even enter data from your home! Pompano Beach OFA office, 950 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Thursday, April 5: Pompano Office Manager Training Session 11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Office managers keep the office tidy and alive with energy. If you are interested in helping around the office this training/meeting is for you! Pompano Beach OFA office, 950 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online athttps://my.barackobama.com/
Thursday, April 5: Pompano Phone Bank, two shifts, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm: Pompano Beach OFA office, 950 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, RSVP to Sunny Tsou at 301-357-7035 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Thursday, April 5 and 11: Hollywood Data Entry Training Session 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm, learn how to be able to enter data from our nightly phone banks. You can even enter data from your home! Starbucks, 1801 Young Circle, Hollywood, RSVP to Chris Hernandez at 954-871-5331 or online at https://my.barackobama.com/
Sunday April 15: Affordable Care Act Training Voter Registration Training 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm: Betty and Al’s house, 1442 Ne 54th St, Fort Lauderdale, RSVP to Betty DiMaio at [email protected], 954-638-8762, or online athttps://my.barackobama.com/
Democratic Women’s’ Club Protest: Every Saturday!
Come join us this Saturday, March 31 (and every Saturday) at 9:00 am at the NE corner of Federal Highway and Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach, as we continue our protest against the war on women. The Affordable Care Act contains very tangible help for women. If the ACA is overturned, women will continue to be discriminated against in the health care market.
Currently, women pay about $1 billion more a year than men. There is a chart that shows state by state the percent more that women pay for health insurance and what it will be after ACA goes into effect starting in 2014. Contact me at [email protected] for a copy of the chart. Women would continue to pay exorbitantly more for their health insurance if the law is overturned.
Four additional benefits that women will lose, if the ACA is not upheld:
1. Being a woman is no longer a “pre-existing condition.”
2. Breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screening and other preventive care must be covered by insurance.
3. You don't need a co-pay for birth control anymore.
4. Children can stay on your health insurance until they’re 26 years old.
Come out on every Saturday and stand up for women.
Thanks.
Maggie Davidson
President
Democratic Women’s Club of Northeast Broward
Please Host an Organizer!
We are stepping up our ground game in Florida — we've got a lot of organizers starting soon and volunteers from throughout our region will also be making trips here to work side by side with local volunteers and help prepare for November in our state. They will be coming here because they believe in the work we're doing, and they know the stakes in next year's election. Many of these organizers are arriving on short notice in areas that are new to them, and they will need temporary places to stay.
Do you have an extra bedroom or a foldout couch you could use to host an organizer for a few days? I know this is a big favor to ask, but as someone who has stayed with supporters like you before, I can tell you that it means a lot to the folks you host, and it is enormously helpful to this movement. So if you have the space, will you sign up today to host an organizer at http://fl.barackobama.com/
After you sign up, we'll be in touch with more details. You can also contact Juan Penalosa, our Regional Field Director for Central Broward, at 954-646-3050.
After you sign up, we'll be in touch with more details. You can also contact Juan Penalosa, our Regional Field Director for Central Broward, at 954-646-3050.
Thanks,
John
John Gilbert
Florida State Field Director
Organizing for America
VOTE BY MAIL 2012–2014
ALL BROWARD VOTERS NEED TO REAPPLY
ALL BROWARD VOTERS NEED TO REAPPLY
Voters who wish to cast their ballots by mail may make a single request to get absentee ballots for every election through 2012. Absentee ballots no longer need a reason. People can use them if they prefer to vote by mail. Broward voters who want absentee ballots, either for a single election or for multiple elections, need to request them from the Supervisor of Elections Office. Requests can be made in person, by mail, by phone or by filling out an application online. Call 954-357-7055 for details or applyonline here.
* Online requests are only for 1 year
* Phone requests can be for every election through 2014.
The Dolphin Democrats collect non perishable food items and toiletries for The Poverello Center. We have a collection basket at all of our membership meetings,. We will also have the collection basket at Pridefest on March 11-12. The mission of The Poverello Center is to provide life-saving food and basic living essentials with the highest degree of understanding, respect and love for individuals living with HIV/AIDS who are residents of Broward County and meet the specified qualifications for services.
Join the Dolphin Democrats Facebook Group, like the Dolphin Democrats Facebook Page, or follow the Dolphin Democrats on Twitter.