Stay Informed on Martin Gill's Legal Challenge to End Florida's Unfair Adoption Statute In Florida, no gay or lesbian parent may adopt a child. Period. But when foster dad Martin Gill challenged that law, a judge agreed in 2008 that it is unconstitutional, and that there is "no rational basis" for excluding gay and lesbian parents from adopting. The case is on appeal and ultimately will be decided by the Florida Supreme Court. Follow the news here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-gay-adoption-20100121,0,7407818.story
Does not support ENDA
SUPPORT ENDA NOW, SENATOR NELSON!
Employment Non-Discrimination Act S. 1584 / H.R. 3017
In Florida, an employer has the right to fire you simply because you are gay or transgender. Why would Florida Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux think it's okay to fire all non-heterosexuals at any workplace? Bill Nelson belongs to the Democratic Party which historically professes to support equality for LGBT citizens. And yet Bill Nelson is not supportive of ENDA. Why Not? George LeMieux belongs to the Republican Party which continues to write discrimination against LGBT people into their party platform. Does Mr. LeMieux and his party not know or care that over 1 million LGBT people vote in Florida? It is time to raise your voices, LGBT people and allies!
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would provide basic protections against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. ENDA simply affords to all Americans basic employment protection from discrimination based on irrational prejudice. The bill is closely modeled on existing civil rights laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill explicitly prohibits preferential treatment and quotas and does not permit disparate impact suits. In addition, it exempts small businesses, religious organizations and the military, and does not require that domestic partner benefits be provided to the same-sex partners of employees.
Bill Nelson Must Hear From You! Local office: Senator Bill Nelson 225 East Robinson Street, Ste 410 Orlando, Florida 32801 407-872-7161
OneOrlando.org is a unity coalition of individuals and community organizations dedicated to the pursuit of equality and dignity for all LGBT Floridians. We stand united in this common purpose, and we encourage other likeminded people throughout Central Florida to join us.
RESOURCES
Alex Sink and Nadine Smith at Broward Gala
Governor Alex Sink Would Support Repeal of Gay Adoption Ban Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Alex Sink, told the large gathering at the Broward County Equality Florida Gala that she would support adoption by gay people, and that adoptions should be determined on a case-by-case basis, not by an anti-gay law on the books. Equality Florida raised $175,000 at the gala in Florida's gayest county. (Equality Florida raised only $65,000 here in Orlando last month.)
U.S. Senators & U.S. Representatives Must Hear From You!
Our Central Florida elected officials in Washington need to know their LGBT constituents. Call them, visit them, fax them. Make them know you, and tell them why your equality matters NOW!
Senator Bill Nelson (D) LGBT issues:HRC ranking: 90. Faults: supports “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”; is not yet a sponsor of UAFA immigration reform, or ENDA. Local office: 225 East Robinson Street, Ste 410 Orlando, Florida 32801 P:407-872-7161/F:407-872-7165 ------------------ Senator George LeMieux (R) LGBT issues: (Just appointed by Crist in September '09, views not yet articulated) 356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 DC Phone: 202-224-3041 E-mail: info@lemieux.senate.gov ------------------- District 8(Portions of Orange, Osceola, Lake, Marion Counties) Rep. Alan Grayson (D) LGBT issues:Freshman representative not yet ranked, but endorsed by HRC.He opposes DADT.Faults: not yet a sponsor of UAFA immigration reform. Local office: 455 N. Garland Ave. Suite 402 Orlando, FL 32801 P:407-841-1757/F:407-841-1754 ------------------- District 24(N. Brevard County, portions of Orange, Volusia, Seminole Counties) Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D) LGBT issues:Freshman representative not yet ranked, but endorsed by HRC. She opposes DADT. Faults: not yet a sponsor of UAFA immigration reform. Local office: 12424 Research Parkway, Ste 135 Orlando, FL 32826 P: 407--208-1106/ F:407-208-1108 ---------------------
District 7(Parts of 6 counties from Orange north to Duval) Rep. John Mica (R) LGBT issues:Ranking of 0 by HRC; does not support any LGBT legislation or cause; supports DADT. Local office: 100 East Sybelia Avenue, Suite 340 Maitland, FL 32751-4495 P: 407-657-8080 F: 407-657-5353
---------------------- District 12
(Most of Polk County, portions of Osceola, Hillsborough County) Rep. Adam Putnam (R) LGBT issues:Ranking of 0 by HRC; refused to meet with Ryan Skipper’s family regarding hate crime legislation; does not support any LGBT legislation or cause; supports DADT. Local office: 650 E. Davidson Street Bartow, FL 33830 P:863-534-3530 ---------------------- District 15(S. Brevard County, portions of Osceola, Polk, Indian River Counties) Rep. Bill Posey (R) LGBT issues: Freshman representative not yet ranked, but not endorsed by HRC.(He favors DADT.) Local office: 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Building C Melbourne, FL 32940 P:321-632-1776/F:321-639-8595
The States of the Union....
Marriage:
Connecticut Iowa Massachusetts New Hampshire Vermont Washington DC
Justice for Ryan... Hear Assistant State Attorney Cass Castillo and Circuit Judge J. Michael Hunter condemn the anti-gay hatred behind the murder of Polk County's Ryan Skipper. William Brown and Joseph Bearden were both found guilty and sentenced to life prison in 2009.
Labor Union Members Rally Against Hate... After an incident of anti-gay vandalism at The Center of Central Florida, allies from many organized labor groups staged a November rally in support of the LGBT community.
Vigil for Craig Cohen... On October 15, 2009, a candlelight vigil was held in Orlando for hate crime murder victim Craig Cohen of South Florida.
Milk at Come Out with Pride '09... Harvey's nephew, Stuart Milk, addressed the crowd at Orlando's 2009 Come Out with Pride on Sunday, October 11.
The Genesis of One Orlando... A united LGBT community gathered outside Orlando City Hall to protest the passage of Amendment 2, Florida's same-sex marriage ban, in November 2008.
