All GLBT Democrats and Allies are Welcome!

Guest Speaker: Howard Johnston, PhD
Professor of Secondary Education USF
Dr Johnston will examine some of the most recent research on the conditions for LGBT kids in American schools and the consequences of failing to address these issues

The Obama Administration has taken decisive actions and made historic strides to advance Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality and strengthen LGBT families and communities, and continues to do so. Some of these accomplishments include:

Preventing bullying and hate crimes against LGBT Americans
 President Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law — the first federal civil rights legislation to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”
 President Obama, Vice President Biden and other Administration officials record “It Gets Better” videos to address the issue of bullying and suicide among LGBT teens
 The President and First Lady Michelle Obama host the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention
 The Department of Education issues guidance to support educators in combating bullying in schools by clarifying when student bullying may violate federal education anti-discrimination laws

Supporting LGBT families
 Following a directive from the President, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires all hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to allow visitation rights and medical decision making rights to LGBT patients
 HHS creates the National Resource Center for LGBT Elders
 The Department of Labor clarifies that the Family Medical Leave Act ensures that LGBT parents can provide care for their children in the event of illness
 The State Department clarifies that transgender applicants can obtain, under certain conditions, passports that accurately reflect their gender
 The Justice Department clarifies that persons with HIV and persons with AIDS are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and that it would be illegal to exclude them from occupational training and state licensing
 The Justice Department issues a memo stating that federal prosecutors should enforce criminal provisions in the Violence Against Women Act in cases involving gay and lesbian relationships
 HHS’s Administration for Children and Families issues a memorandum to ensure that LGBT and questioning youth in foster care are protected and supported
 The US Interagency Council on Homelessness releases “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness,” the nation’s first comprehensive strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, including LGBT homeless youth
 The Obama Administration works to ensure that the Census provides a fair and accurate count of all Americans, including LGBT couples

Ensuring equal access to housing for LGBT families
 The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces the first ever national study of discrimination in housing against LGBT persons
 HUD proposes new regulations to ensure that housing programs are open to all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
 HUD requires grant applicants to comply with state and local anti-discrimination laws

Supporting LGBT health
 President Obama releases the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy
 President Obama urges Americans to get tested for HIV
 President Obama signs the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act
 HHS issues recommendations to improve the health and well-being of LGBT communities
 Despite challenging budgetary times, the President’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget not only maintains, but increases domestic HIV/AIDS funding

Supporting job creation among LGBT-owned businesses
 The Department of Commerce signs a Memorandum of Understanding with National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to support federal contracting and exporting

Setting precedents in hiring and benefits for LGBT Americans
 The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announces that gender identity is a prohibited basis of discrimination in federal employment
 President Obama expands federal benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees
 OPM allows same-sex domestic partners to apply for long-term care insurance
 President Obama sends the first U.S. Executive branch official to testify in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) before Congress
 President Obama continues to appoint LGBT Americans to positions at every level throughout his Administration

Repealing the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Law
 President Obama signs the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which will allow gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans to serve openly and with integrity

Providing global leadership on LGBT issues
 The U.S. lifts the discriminatory entry ban for individuals with HIV
 President Obama and his administration play active roles in protecting LGBT populations in Uganda, Honduras, Malawi and other countries
 The U.S. leads an effort at the United Nations resulting in 85 countries supporting a resolution to end violence and human rights violations related to sexual orientation and gender identity
 The White House announces major three-year investment in combating global AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

Honoring LGBT history
 President Obama honors the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall riots
 President Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King

Supporting LGBT Progress
 President Obama has called for the Congressional repeal of the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act” and has announced that in his view, Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional
 President Obama also continues to support legislation that would directly impact the LGBT community, including an inclusive ENDA and the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act
 President Obama believes that all students should be safe and healthy and learn in environments free from discrimination, bullying and harassment; that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation; and that Americans with partners from other countries should not be faced with a painful choice between staying with their partner or staying in their country

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2011

 Contact: Michael Rajner, Legislative Director at Michael@FloridaGLBTDemocrats.org or call 954-899-0877

 Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus vehemently denounces Tea Party extremist Allen West

 The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus vehemently denounces Tea Party extremist Allen West’s relentless bullying and chauvinistic attacks on a true leader in the United States House of Representatives. 

 This past Tuesday, Tea Party extremist Allen West cracked under pressure, lashed out, and attacked Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.  This incredibly unprofessional behavior displayed by West exhibited to Americans how unstable and unfit he is for public office.  In an irrational tirade, West emailed the Congresswoman and stated:

  From: Allen West
  Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
 To: Debbie Wasserman Schultz
 Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric       behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

 ”Look, Debbie . . . let me make myself perfectly clear . . . you  are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. . . You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!”

“As a Floridian, I’m extremely proud of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s limitless courage and passion to stand up against delusional and unhinged bullies like West who take great pride in provoking fear in America’s disabled, elderly and most vulnerable of citizens” says Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Legislative Director Michael Rajner, “I have the misfortune to reside in the congressional district represented by West, yet he resides in Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s district.  I can’t help but envy West for his elected member to the US House of Representatives – a true American leader and advocate for the disenfranchised.”

“Allen West’s attack on Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a prime example of the behavior so many American’s are tired of”, says Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus President Sally Phillips, “as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, we too often here this sort of demeaning and dismissive rhetoric from rightwing ideologs.” “West’s chosen adjectives for Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz clearly show his deep-seeded and unbalanced hatred toward anybody who challenges his extremist views.”

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Floridians are extremely proud of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s strong commitment and leadership in Congress to end discrimination and standing up against playground bullies.  The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus stands firm in their support of Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and is honored to have her leading the only party that supports equality for everyone. 

  The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus is an arm of the Florida Democratic Party representing the GLBTA (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied) community with 13 chapters across the state.

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To many, the 2012 election seems like a world away—especially since it feels like the 2010 mid-term elections just ended.

But for Sally Phillips and the GLBT Democratic Caucus, now is the time to mobilize voters and prepare for what could be a contentious election in our swing state.

“I think it matters so clearly, the people we elect,” Phillips said. “It terrifies me that we have people in our LGBT community who don’t think it’s important to get involved or at least get out there and vote.”  READ MORE at Watermarkonline.com by Steve Blanchard

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 31, 2011

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2011

- – - – - – -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The story of America’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community is the story of our fathers and sons, our mothers and daughters, and our friends and neighbors who continue the task of making our country a more perfect Union. It is a story about the struggle to realize the great American promise that all people can live with dignity and fairness under the law. Each June, we commemorate the courageous individuals who have fought to achieve this promise for LGBT Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Since taking office, my Administration has made significant progress towards achieving equality for LGBT Americans. Last December, I was proud to sign the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. With this repeal, gay and lesbian Americans will be able to serve openly in our Armed Forces for the first time in our Nation’s history. Our national security will be strengthened and the heroic contributions these Americans make to our military, and have made throughout our history, will be fully recognized.

My Administration has also taken steps to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans in Federal housing programs and to give LGBT Americans the right to visit their loved ones in the hospital. We have made clear through executive branch nondiscrimination policies that discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the Federal workplace will not be tolerated. I have continued to nominate and appoint highly qualified, openly LGBT individuals to executive branch and judicial positions. Because we recognize that LGBT rights are human rights, my Administration stands with advocates of equality around the world in leading the fight against pernicious laws targeting LGBT persons and malicious attempts to exclude LGBT organizations from full participation in the international system. We led a global campaign to ensure “sexual orientation” was included in the United Nations resolution on extrajudicial execution — the only United Nations resolution that specifically mentions LGBT people — to send the unequivocal message that no matter where it occurs, state-sanctioned killing of gays and lesbians is indefensible. No one should be harmed because of who they are or who they love, and my Administration has mobilized unprecedented public commitments from countries around the world to join in the fight against hate and homophobia.

At home, we are working to address and eliminate violence against LGBT individuals through our enforcement and implementation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. We are also working to reduce the threat of bullying against young people, including LGBT youth.

My Administration is actively engaged with educators and community leaders across America to reduce violence and discrimination in schools. To help dispel the myth that bullying is a harmless or inevitable part of growing up, the First Lady and I hosted the first White House Conference on Bullying Prevention in March. Many senior Administration officials have also joined me in reaching out to LGBT youth who have been bullied by recording “It Gets Better” video messages to assure them they are not alone.

This month also marks the 30th anniversary of the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has had a profound impact on the LGBT community. Though we have made strides in combating this devastating disease, more work remains to be done, and I am committed to expanding access to HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Last year, I announced the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. This strategy focuses on combinations of evidence-based approaches to decrease new HIV infections in high risk communities, improve care for people living with HIV/AIDS, and reduce health disparities. My Administration also increased domestic HIV/AIDS funding to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and HIV prevention, and to invest in HIV/AIDS-related research. However, government cannot take on this disease alone. This landmark anniversary is an opportunity for the LGBT community and allies to recommit to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and continuing the fight against this deadly pandemic. 

Every generation of Americans has brought our Nation closer to fulfilling its promise of equality. While progress has taken time, our achievements in advancing the rights of LGBT Americans remind us that history is on our side, and that the American people will never stop striving toward liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

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• Thank you to Senator Bill Nelson for supporting the end of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.  This is a great acheivement for our country and LGBT people everywhere.