Equality Florida Blog

Senate votes to expand federal hate crimes

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:39:00 +0000

Senate votes to expand federal hate crimes

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Jul 17, 5:47 AM (ET)

By JIM ABRAMS

WASHINGTON (AP) - People attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender would receive federal protections under a Senate-approved measure that significantly expands the reach of hate crimes law.

The Senate bill also would make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes.

"The Senate made a strong statement this evening that hate crimes have no place in America," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said after the chamber voted Thursday to attach the legislation as an amendment to a $680 billion defense spending bill expected to be completed next week.

The House in April approved a similar bill and President Barack Obama has urged Congress to send him hate crimes legislation, presenting the best scenario for the measure to become law since Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., first introduced it more than a decade ago.

Republicans will have the opportunity to propose several more changes to the hate crimes bill on Monday, but that will not change its status as part of the must-pass defense bill.

Passage of the bill would effect the most significant extension of hate crimes law since Congress first acted in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

The 1968 law defines hate crimes as those carried out on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin. It also limits federal involvement to when the victim is engaged in a narrow range of activities, including attending a public school, serving as a juror or participating in an event administered by a state or local government.

The proposed legislation expands federal hate crimes to include those perpetrated against people because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also removes restrictions on federally protected activities.

"There is no room in our society for these acts of prejudice," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. "Hate crimes fragment and isolate our communities. They tear at our collective spirit."

Some 45 states have hate crime statutes, and investigations and prosecutions would remain mainly in state and local hands. But the bill provides federal grants to help state and local officials with the costs of prosecuting hate crimes and funds programs to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. The federal government can step in after the Justice Department certifies that a state does not have jurisdiction or is unable to carry out justice.

Joe Solmonese, president of Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights group, said it "will provide police and sheriff's departments with the tools and resources they need to ensure that entire communities are not terrorized by hate violence."

The Senate approved the measure by voice vote after a 63-28 procedural vote was needed to allow its consideration as part of the defense bill. The 28 no votes were all Republicans. Five Republicans voted for it, giving supporters the 60 votes they needed.

Opponents of the bill, including conservative religious groups, argued that it infringes on states' rights and could intimidate free speech.

"The bill could potentially imperil the free speech rights of Christians who choose to speak out against homosexuality - which could even be extended to preaching against it," The Christian Coalition of America said in a statement.

Supporters countered that prosecutions under the bill can occur only when bodily injury is involved, and no minister or protester could be targeted for expressing opposition to homosexuality, even if their statements are followed by another person committing a violent action.

To emphasize the point, the Senate passed provisions restating that the bill does not prohibit constitutionally protected speech and that free speech is guaranteed unless it is intended to plan or prepare for an act of violence.

The bill is named for Matthew Shephard, a gay Wyoming college student who was murdered in 1968.

The FBI receives reports of nearly 8,000 hate crimes each year. Of those, about 15 percent are linked to sexual orientation, which ranks third after those involving race and religion.

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The Senate hate crimes bill is S. 909.

Guest Post from David Simanoff- Former WFLA Employee and Equality Florida Supporter

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Originally posted on David's Blog on Wednesday, July 15, 2009

My former employer made an indefensible decision by running "Speechless," but I don't feel comfortable about protesting there this afternoon

For the past week, I have been trying to decide whether to participate in the protest planned for this afternoon at my former employer.¹

MFE ran "Speechless: Silencing Christians," an hourlong homophobic infomercial on Saturday, June 27.² The program reinforces abhorrent and wholly untrue stereotypes about GLBT people. The gist, from what I have seen and read about the program, is this:

Homosexuality is a choice — and a sinful, wicked choice at that.
GLBT people represent an immediate threat to so-called normal children and families.
GLBT people are using force, intimidation, the courts, politics, and other unscrupulous means to silence their critics — specifically, the Christians.

MFE reportedly earned $35,000 for running this infomercial. According to Equality Florida's press release, the station's management "said they understand the show would be offensive to those who 'chose the homosexual lifestyle,' but 'not red flags' went up for them when they viewed it prior to airing."³

Freedom of speech is not the issue

Some people have shrugged and suggested that films such as "Speechless" are detestable, but will unfortunately receive airtime because we live in a country that embraces freedom of speech. Some cite the First Amendment.

The freedom of speech argument is a canard here, and the First Amendment is completely irrelevant to this conversation. The First Amendment doesn't apply because the government isn't restricting this group from expressing its message — in this case, the "Speechless" program.

The main issue here is standards. TV stations and newspapers should have policies and guidelines about what advertising they will accept. If a newspaper were asked to run an ad with sexually explicit images, they'd turn it down. If the KKK or a group of Holocaust deniers wanted to buy an hour of time for an infomercial to promote their views, they would be turned down.

The issue, put plainly, is this: MFE thought that the infomercial it ran was perfectly fine for its audience. It wasn't. It was indisputably full of lies, propaganda, and hate. Other stations across the country have turned it down. The infomercial was clearly objectionable.

To continue my point: This isn't a First Amendment issue or freedom of speech issue because the group that makes "Speechless" can get its message out in other ways. It can try to buy time on other TV stations. It can start it own TV station, if it likes. It can print its own literature. On the other hand, there was no one forcing MFE to run this infomercial. The decisionmakers at the station watched the program, felt it was fine, and let it air. They apparently had no qualms about the content. They seemed to think that it's OK to let people use their station for hate speech as long as there's payment involved.

This is why the protests are directed at MFE, not at the group that made and distributes "Speechless." MFE should not have run the program.

A former employee's view

I worked for MFE from 1999 to 2008. During that time, I received mixed signals about the company's views on GLBT people, including its GLBT employees. My recollection is that gay men and lesbians were accepted in the newsrooms⁴, but that sensitivity about GLBT issues — in fact, all minority issues — declined exponentially as one progressed higher up the organization chart. This is a generalization, and there were some exceptions. At MFE's parent company in Richmond, Va., I sensed a similar inverse relationship between (a) the size of someone's paycheck and (b) their level of sophistication on GLBT issues and commitment to a diverse workforce.

I'd like to point out that these are my personal opinions: my own impressions and feelings, synthesized over nearly 10 years with MFE. I speak for no one else.

I was out long before I came to MFE, and this never appeared to cause any tension among my immediate coworkers.⁵ I got to attend the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association conventions on the company's dime — back when news organizations still had travel and training budgets, of course. I recall an ambitious diversity training program that included GLBT issues in the curriculum in the early 2000s.

However:

At the time I left the company, MFE did not include sexual orientation in its discrimination policy. When I asked about this, I was told that it wasn't necessary because MFE is based in Tampa, which has sexual orientation in its discrimination policy. This didn't seem like a good rationale to me, as it probably doesn't cover people working for MFE locations outside Tampa city limits, and it doesn't send a message of inclusion for MFE's GLBT employees.
In 2005, the year after Massachusetts became the first state in the US to adopt marriage equality, MFE mailed a letter to each employee stating that its health care plans would only cover opposite-sex spouses. I felt that MFE was trying to say that in matters of same-sex relationships, the company was so adamant about not recognizing partners that it would even trump state laws.
When I left MFE, the company still did not have benefits for same-sex partners. I can think of no other large media company that does not offer domestic partner benefits. When I would ask about this (every year, like clockwork, at the meetings to introduce the new health care and retirement plans) I would be told that the company was concerned about the cost of domestic partner benefits. I would point out that study after study shows that the costs are negligible, and the message it sends to GLBT employees and recruits is incredibly important.
I left MFE feeling mostly confused and frustrated about the company's approach to GLBT employees. I certainly felt valued by the people with whom I worked, but I also sensed that the big decisionmakers at the organization and its parent company did not fully understand the value that comes from building an inclusive, diverse workplace.

So, what will I be doing this afternoon?

After wrestling with thoughts for a few days, I have decided not to join the rally this afternoon at MFE. I think my presence might do some good: perhaps seeing a former employee might make some people at MFE realize that their decision to run "Speechless" wasn't just an insult to a nameless, faceless community, but had an impact on people they know. But I don't think that will happen.

It's clear to me that MFE make an indefensible decision to run "Speechless." I don't think the rally will actually help MFE understand what they did wrong and why so many people are offended, but perhaps bringing attention to the company will help lead to some kind of solution. I would like to see:
A public apology, from the head of MFE, during a weekday 11 p.m. news broadcast when viewership is high.
The money received from the "Speechless" infomercial donated to a group that helps gay youth. It's very important that MFE show that it not profit from a group that promotes hate.
MFE develop new standards and procedures for screening materials for infomercials, and make those standards known to the community.
MFE create a new sensitivity training course, and mandate that all of its employees take it.

I find the decision to run "Speechless" reprehensible but, in hindsight, not surprising. I haven't watched any programming on MFE since the broadcast of "Speechless," and won't until the company takes appropriate action on this issue. Still, I'd feel uncomfortable standing outside a company that signed my paychecks for most of a decade. Also, I'm friends with some people wo work for MFE. I respect and admire them. They had nothing to do with "Speechless" and I would feel awkward standing outside their office with a picket sign.

I'll feel guilty missing the rally, though. MFE needs to know that its actions aren't acceptable. I hope that today's protest leads to a dialog with the decisionmakers at MFE. Perhaps that's where I can best play a role.

¹ I'll call my former employer MFE from now on. I don't see any reason to actually name the company.
² This was the same day as St. Petersburg Pride. I don't know if the scheduling was deliberate, but I assume it was.
³ See the press release here. Also, I'd like to know if someone at MFE really used the phrase "chose the homosexual lifestyle." If so, who was it? This is the language of ignorance or bigotry, as homosexuality is neither a lifestyle nor a choice.
⁴ MFE has more than 1 newsroom.
⁵ I do recall one editor who treated me differently once he found out I was gay. Editor: "What does your wife do?" Me: "He is a professor." Editor: Long pause, followed by stunned expression of realization, followed by "ohhh."

VIDEO: 10 Connects Coverage of Red Flag Rally

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:38:00 +0000

Councilman wants WFLA to apologize for "homophobic" program

Tampa, Florida -- Tampa councilman John Dingfelder is asking WFLA NewsChannel 8 to apologize for airing what he calls a "homophobic" program.

"This community wouldn't accept a racist infomercial, it wouldn't accept an anti-Semitic infomercial and we shouldn't accept a homophobic infomercial" Dingfelder told 10 Connects.

Dingfelder joined more than 100 other people protesting WFLA's decision to air "Speechless: Silencing the Christians" on June 27th. The station reportedly received $35,000 for airing the hour-long show.

The executive director of Equality Florida says the show was "dishonest, damaging and defamatory" in its depiction of lesbians, gays and bisexuals.

"They (WFLA) allowed gay people and our families to be denigrated, dehumanized and we're here to say those messages won't go unchallenged" Nadine Smith said during Wednesday's protest.

WFLA has not apologized for airing the program but John Schueler the president of Florida Communications Group, part of the company that owns WFLA, issued the following statement:

"Our overriding mission is to provide platforms for the broadest points of view and be responsible to the community we serve. We understand that doing so can cause strong disagreement. We screened this program and ran a disclaimer before and after it ran noting that this does not reflect the views of WFLA."

But Dingfelder says WFLA can't stop there.

"Everybody makes a mistake sometimes, even big corporations and I think it would be an easy solution for channel 8 to come out and say they made a mistake, they're sorry to this community and they'll do better next time."

Preston Rudie, 10 Connects

From Creative Loafing- More than 100 protest News Channel ‘H8′ in gay-rights rally in Tampa (video)

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:15:00 +0000

More than 100 protest News Channel ‘H8′ in gay-rights rally in Tampa (video)

July 15, 2009 at 8:53 pm by Wayne Garcia

Gays and straights alike carried red flags (a comment on a Media General exec who said the station viewed Speechless: Silencing Christians and “it didn’t raise any red flags”) and signs relabeling the NBC affiliate in Tampa Bay as News Channel H8 on Wednesday afternoon. More than 100 protesters gathered along Kennedy Boulevard in front of the station’s News Center to draw attention to the hate program that was aired for what they believe was $35,000 paid by a Christian group.

In a sign of political courage, Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder attended the rally and said of News Channel 8’s decision,”This is not who Tampa is. This type of hate is just not acceptable in our community.” Dingfelder is running for a County Commission seat, a demographic that is much more to the right than the city of Tampa where he has served two terms.

From MyFOX Tampa Bay - WFLA target of protests

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:56:00 +0000

WFLA target of protests

Gay activists decry infomercial aired by station

Updated: Wednesday, 15 Jul 2009, 8:53 PM EDT Published : Wednesday, 15 Jul 2009, 8:42 PM EDT

TAMPA - A controversial, hour-long program was the subject of a large protest outside the studios of WFLA Channel 8 in Tampa Wednesday.

About 100 gay and lesbian activists and their supporters marched outside WFLA's headquarters near downtown Tampa this afternoon to denounce what they call an anti-gay infomercial that the station aired the same weekend as St. Petersburg's gay pride parade.

The show is called "Speechless: Silencing the Christians," a film that urges its viewers to fight a "radical homosexual agenda" of persecuting Christians who find homosexuality morally wrong.

When Equality Florida, a state-wide gay rights group, learned Channel 8 planned to air the program, they contacted Media General, WFLA's parent company, and were told by a spokesman the company did not find it to be hateful or offensive.

"He added the comment that people who 'choose the homosexual lifestyle' may find it a little, we might find it to be hateful," said Zeke Fread, an activist at Wednesday's rally.

Equality Florida then sent out e-mails urging people to call the station to ask them not to air the program. They say the station received thousands of calls and e-mails asking them not to air the program.

But the station ran the infomercial, the same day as an estimated 80,000 people converged in St. Petersburg for the city's annual gay pride parade.

"It was just terrible timing, and a horrible thing to do. And they ignored us," Fread said.

Equality Florida then organized today's rally, which drew about 100 people.

"This is not an infomercial," Fread said. "They aren't trying to sell anything. They are trying to convince people that we want special rights. Equal rights are only special rights to people when they are denied them." Media General has not commented on the decision to air the program.

From ABC Action News Tampa Bay- Protesters gather outside WFLA Wednesday evening

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:05:00 +0000

Protesters gather outside WFLA Wednesday evening

Last Update: 8:38 pm

TAMPA, FL -- Dozens of people protested outside Media General's headquarters in Tampa on Wednesday evening.

Protesters waved signs that featured a modified WFLA logo that read "Channel H8."

The demonstration was over the decision by WFLA Channel 8, which is owned by Media General, to broadcast an infomercial that the protesters say was anti-gay.

The program, called "Speechless: Silencing the Christians," was aired on WFLA on the night of St. Petersburg's Gay Pride parade.

The American Family Association, a conservative Christian organization that opposes gay rights, paid WFLA to air the segment.

The protest coincided with a visit from the national president of Media General, which also owns the Tampa Tribune and TBO.com.

From TampaBay.com - Demonstrators protest anti-gay-rights program aired by WFLA-Ch. 8

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Demonstrators protest anti-gay-rights program aired by WFLA-Ch. 8

By Ileana Morales, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jul 15, 2009 07:54 PM

TAMPA — Gay rights advocates showed up with red shirts and matching flags in protest of WFLA-Ch. 8's hourlong anti-gay-rights segment aired the night of St. Petersburg's Gay Pride parade.

The crowd of about 70 demonstrators cheered at the rush hour drivers on W Kennedy Boulevard honking. They chanted, "Shame, shame, Channel 8. Make your money and spread your hate."

They wanted an apology.

The American Family Association, a conservative Christian organization that opposes gay rights, paid WFLA to air a segment called, "Speechless: Silencing the Christians."

Protesters arrived in red in response to a WFLA executive who was quoted in the Tampa Tribune saying the program did not "raise a red flag."

In a prepared statement e-mailed from WFLA, John Schueler, president of Florida Communications Group, the company that oversees Media General's area outlets, including theTribune and WFLA-Ch. 8 said:

R. Zeke Fread, an organizer with Pride Tampa Bay, said he watched 10 minutes of the program on June 27, and couldn't stand any more, calling it an infomercial.

"It was like a 180 slap in your face," said GaYbor District Coalition president Carrie West.

Signs around West read: "News Channel H8, integrity at what price? $35,000."

Another sign put the NBC peacock over a swastika.

Ileana Morales can be reached at imorales@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3403.

From TBO.com - Gay-rights groups protest outside News Channel 8

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:53:00 +0000

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Protesters rally outside WFLA News Channel 8 today. They're upset the station ran a paid program they say contains hate speech against gays.

Gay-rights groups protest outside News Channel 8

By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2009

Nearly 100 people picketed in front of WFLA News Channel 8 today, opposing the station's decision to run a religious paid program they say contained hate speech against gays and lesbians.

The one-hour program, "Speechless: Silencing Christians," aired on June 27, the same day as the St. Pete Pride parade.

"It was a slap in the face of the gay pride movement," R. Zeke Fread, the director of Pride Tampa Bay, said at today's protest. "It was an hourlong attack on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people."

Carrie West, president of the GaYBOR District Coalition, said to his knowledge, WFLA was the only station in the Tampa Bay area that ran the program.

"It was very disturbing to a lot of people," West said.

John Schueler, the president of Media General's Florida Communications Group, defended WFLA's decision to air "Silencing Christians."

"Our overriding mission is to provide platforms for the broadest points of view and be responsible to the community we serve," Schueler said in a written statement. "We understand that doing so can cause strong disagreement. We screened this program and ran a disclaimer before and after it ran noting that this does not reflect the views of WFLA."

Media General owns WFLA, The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com.

The protest began at 5 p.m. in front of the station's parking garage on Grand Central Avenue, with protesters then walking to the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Parker Street. Picketers wore red, which signified "the blood of furiousness" that people felt against WFLA, West said.

"We wish it could stand for Valentine's love, but it doesn't," he said.

The crowd held up signs, wore T-shirts and bellowed chants that lampooned the news station's well-known slogans and mottos.

"News Channel Hate is not on your side!" a group of protesters — who wore shirts that said "News Channel H8" — yelled at passing cars.

Fread said WFLA should donate the $35,000 she said the station was paid to run "Silencing Christians" to a gay and lesbian charity or run documentaries that counter the religious program's message.

Protestors also wanted one more thing.

"We didn't get an apology," West said. "An apology goes a long way."

Luke Lirot, a First Amendment attorney who has no connection to this issue, said the station doesn't have to apologize.

WFLA simply "adhered to their obligation to give people access to the airwaves," Lirot said.

Once a group pays for airtime, "they can engage in any First Amendment-protected speech, no matter how heinous," he said. "You have to respect the First Amendment's neutrality."

Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder stopped by the protest. He said he was disappointed WFLA ran the paid program.

"I don't think this station would show a 30-minute infomercial in favor of racism or anti-Semitic behavior,'' Dingfelder said. "That sort of thing; that's not acceptable. Neither is a 30-minute infomercial about homophobia.''

According to the American Family Association's Web site, the nonprofit group that produced "Silencing Christians," the program is about how mainstream media censors Christians' messages.

The thrust of the show, according to the Web site, is that Christians in America are losing freedoms at the hands of the "liberal minority" that is "undermining the morals and values of mainstream America."

David Caton, the executive director of the Florida Family Association, said today's protest shows how gay activists "believe that their First Amendment rights are superior to those of people of faith."

"They have all the right in the world to protest," Caton said. "I recognize and applaud their First Amendment right to do so."

In June, WFLA had logged hundreds of telephone calls and more than 1,000 e-mails, almost all protesting the broadcast, before the program ended.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

Protest of NBC Tampa Affiliate for Anti-gay Broadcast

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Winfield) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:10:00 +0000

VIDEO: WTSP CH 10 Coverage of Red Flag Rally

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:13:00 +0000

WFLA Red Flag Rally

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Show Up TONIGHT at 5PM. - 200 S Parker

St, Tampa (Click here for directions)

WFLA says this hateful infomercial didn't "raise any red flags." Let's raise red flags they can't miss this time.

Wear a Red T-shirt.
Bring a Red Flag.

Let's show them the real meaning of Free Speech.

Join us for TONIGHT a Red Flag Rally to DEMAND a public apology from NBC's affiliate WFLA Ch 8 for screening a dangerous and dehumanizing anti-gay infomercial - Speechless: Silencing Christians.

What are we demanding?

Issue an apology. While they can't undo the damage already done, WFLA must screen a show to combat the lies, such as the film "For the Bible Tells Me So."
Provide balance by airing a program that counters the lies and hateful vitriolic message they profited from airing.

Media General, which owns WFLA, must hear from the community. They must understand that they were wrong to air and profit from hateful and vitriolic anti-gay propaganda.

WFLA management said they understand the show would be offensive to those who "chose the homosexual lifestyle," but "not red flags" went up for them when they viewed it prior to airing.

They may have not seen the red flags before, but let's make sure they see them tonight.

Where to Park

Metered Parking: 1 Block From WFLA
Enter From W. Kennedy Blvd:
To South Parker Street Aprox 10-12 Spaces (One Way North to South)
Right From South Parker Street Onto West Keller Ave Aprox 10-12 Spaces Per Street (One Way East to West)
(Approx 25 Total Metered Parking Spaces)

Free Parking 2 to 3 Blocks From WFLA:
From W Kennedy Blvd turn onto South Hyde Park Ave. (One Way North to South)
First Cross Street is W. Grand Central Ave Has free on Street Parking Spacing (Two Hour Limit From 8 AM to 5 PM Only)

If You Absolutely Can't Show Up, Call

Call Media General - both the local division and the national HQ. Tell them you to stop harming our community by profiting from anti-gay propaganda. When anti-gay rhetoric is amplified on public airwaves, anti-gay harassment and hate crimes dramatically increases.

Media General - Tampa:

Michael Pumo, (813) 228-8888, mpumo@wfla.com. President & General Manager
Robyn Spoto, rspoto@tbo.com, 813-314-5403, Marketing Director

Media General - National:

Media General Media Contact Ray Kozakewicz (804) 649-6748
Media General's President is Marshall Morton: (804) 649-6000 (main number)

Leon County commissioners approve human relations advisory committee

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:56:00 +0000

Leon County commissioners approve human relations advisory committee | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat

Great work Jeff, Jim, Family Tree, Ron and the entire Equality Florida family in Leon County.

July 15, 2009

Leon County commissioners approve human relations advisory committee

By Will Brown
Democrat Staff Writer

Leon County commissioners have given approval to create a human relations advisory committee.

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community waited hours Tuesday night before the topic was addressed.

But while the committee got approval, commissioners were quick to note this committee will not focus solely on the lesbian, gay, bisexsual and transgender concerns.

It was an idea broached by Commissioner John Dailey at the June 9 meeting and he was the person who made the motion to establish the board. Commissioners will nominate names to serve on the board at a later date.

This committee was formed to provide commissioners suggestions for people who may be under represented before the governing body.

“This advisory board would be an important step in giving a voice to a significant number of people in this country who do not have a voice,” said Jeff Peters, a local attorney who has worked on human relations issues within the LGBT community.

Commissioner Bob Rackleff said this is something that has great meaning to him from a personal and public policy level as a member as his son is gay. He supported the motion and mentioned that the move to develop a human relations advisory council is just the beginning.

“It pains me to know that he is a second-class citizen in Florida, and in this community,” Rackleff said. “I would like to make sure he does not have to suffer long from discrimination.”

Highlight from last weekend's Equality Campaign Training

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:53:00 +0000

This weekend more than 50 activists from every corner of the state gathered in Orlando for intensive grassroots training. It was really intense, and while I think we all left needing a good long nap, I sincerely believe that this gathering will bring Equality Florida and our movement here in Florida to a whole new level.

There were so many poignant and clarifying moments throughout the weekend, but I wanted to be sure that we shared this one with as many people as possible.

This moment wasn't scheduled and yet, as these things usually go, it will remain one of my most cherished and moving memories from this experience.

Enjoy this brave performance by Nicki Drumb of her original poem "I'll Be Damned".

We'll be sharing more thoughts and memories from last weekend with you soon. We also welcome and encourage you to share your own with us.

Follow the Money

noreply@blogger.com (Mallory Wells) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:45:00 +0000

The latest fundraising figures have been released in the 2010 races. Check out who has raised the most cash.

From The Buzz:

The top 2010 money grabbers are....

Here's the list of the top 20 money grabbers running for state office in 2010** this past quarter:

Alex Sink $1,613,474.17
Bill McCollum $1,059,278.05
Jeff Atwater $ 532,452.50
Adam Putnam $ 384,961.74
John Thrasher $ 272,878.56
Jack Latvala $ 233,959.64
Dave Aronberg $ 173,512.00
Miguel A. Diaz de la Portilla $ 163,950.00
Anitere Flores $ 162,700.80
David Rivera $ 161,504.00
Dan Gelber $ 152,053.50
Ben Albritton $ 148,435.85
Bill Montford $ 111,204.73
Josue Larose $ 100,000.00
Kevin C. Ambler $ 93,778.12
Samantha Ruiz Cohen $ 88,858.00
Carey Baker $ 73,454.46
David R. Maymon $ 68,535.00
Rene Garcia $ 62,245.00
Loranne Ausley $ 61,038.53
Note: the list includes in-kind contributions (was too lazy to cull them out). Even so, consider that Gov. Charlie Crist raised so much money ($4.3m) in his U.S. Senate bid that it exceeds the top 8 state candidates combined (caveat: federal candidates can raise way more cash.**

**Another Note: this doesn't include those who are listed to run for office in 2012 (though they're going to be running in 2010 because the incumbent is running for another office). So this would include Ellyn Bogdanoff (c. $89k) and Nick Loeb ($238k -- whoa! -- though apparently lots of this money is rollover from another campaign).

Red Flag Rally at Tampa's WFLA Ch 8 this Wednesday, 5PM

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:14:00 +0000

Outraged?!

Show Up Wednesday, 5PM. Wear a Red T-shirt. Bring a Red Flag.

200 S Parker St, Tampa

Click here for directions

WFLA says this hateful infomercial didn't "raise any red flags."

Let's raise red flags they can't miss this time.

Join us for a Red Flag Rally to DEMAND a public apology from NBC's affiliate WFLA Ch 8 for screening a dangerous and dehumanizing anti-gay infomercial - Speechless: Silencing Christians.

Media General, which owns WFLA, must hear from the community. They must understand that they were wrong to air and profit from hateful and vitriolic anti-gay propaganda.

WFLA decides every day what it will air and what content it rejects as unacceptable programming. When they air something inaccurate, damaging and defamatory we must hold them accountable.

Let's show them the real meaning of Free Speech.

This was not a vigorous exchange of differing viewpoints in a vast marketplace of ideas. This was a one-sided hate rant on the public airwaves auctioned off to the highest bidder by a struggling corporation willing to throw out ethics for profit.

WFLA management said they understand the show would be offensive to those who "chose the homosexual lifestyle," but "not red flags" went up for them when they viewed it prior to airing.

They may have not seen the red flags before, but let's make sure they see them on Wednesday.

Responsible stations across the country have declined to air this dangerous homophobic propaganda, but not WFLA, sister company to the Tampa Tribune and TBO.com.

Instead Media General/WFLA chose to make a reported $35,000 dollars from a commercial that attacks gay people and our families with lies, junk science and discredited "reprogramming centers."

Join Us this Wednesday, 5PM for a Peaceful Demonstration outside WFLA's headquarters.

Issue an apology. While they can't undo the damage already done, WFLA must screen a show to combat the lies, such as the film "For the Bible Tells Me So."
Provide balance by airing a program that counters the lies and hateful vitriolic message they profited from airing.

Kudos to Darryl Rouson: Latest Co-Sponsor of Bill to Repeal Fl Anti-Gay Adoption Ban

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:02:00 +0000

Three years after denouncing gay people on television, State Rep Darryl Rouson (D) has become the newest co-sponsor of a bill that would repeal one of the most notoriously anti-gay laws in the country.

Florida Statute 63.042: No person eligible to adopt under this statute may adopt if that person is a homosexual.

Florida is the only state that bans gay people from becoming adoptive parents. The anti-gay law was passed more than 30 years ago at the height of anti-gay hysteria whipped up by former Orange Juice spokesmodel Anita Bryant.

Child welfare advocates have long argued that the ban hurts the thousands of children languishing in foster care by allowing bias to shrink the pool of qualified adoptive parents.

The bill would strike the discriminatory language from the bill and free judges to be guided only by the best interest of each child, not by anti-gay prejudice.

Rouson's co-sponsorship is especially significant. Three years ago Rouson, told a Tampa Bay area talk show audience:

"I think it is wrong to allow adoptions of children by gay and lesbian couples. It sends a wrong message early to a child during formative years that's hard to overcome just by sitting down and talking to them."

As well as, "I think lesbianism and homosexuality is morally wrong. The law is supposed to discriminate sometimes, in some respects, it is supposed to discriminate against social order and anarchy."

During his run for the Florida House, Rouson issued an apology when video of the interview began making the rounds across the internet. Rouson released this statement:

"I have become educated. I have evolved... When I heard those words and saw my demeanor, I was saddened that I was so condemning and cavalier about my fellow human beings. I am not God. Nor should I sit as God and condemn or judge any human... My words were harsh, divisive and painful. … I knew immediately in my gut that I had to correct that. For me, it was a humanitarian issue...

"In the ensuing time since the taping, I have forged relationships with individuals in that community, and these are individuals I genuinely like. They are good people. I have seen more vividly and paid more critical attention to the matter of children in the foster care system born to crack-addicted moms with dads in prison. Why should they languish in a cold system when they could be in loving households — same-sex households? The paramount interest is the love and welfare of the children.

"For me, it was not a theological or biological debate. It was not even a political one. It was just the right thing to apologize for causing pain and speaking in condemning words of a fellow human being. There was not any concern of losing this seat or winning this seat. If I lose, the worst case scenario is to go home to raise my five boys and make a ton of money practicing law. No, I didn't flip-flop. I evolved. It was a growth process."

In 2008, Darryl Rouson also spoke out against amending Florida's constitution to bar the state from providing civil marriage rights to gay couples.

USA Today Editorial: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Deserves to Die

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Winfield) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:38:00 +0000

EDITORIAL: View on Gays in the Military: After 16 Years, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Deserves to Die

USA Today voices its opposition to DADT: "Beyond the pragmatic reasons to overturn the ban is this: The policy is simply wrong. It says that gay men and lesbians may serve their country — and even die for their country, as many have — only when they deny who they are. If the truth comes out, they're out, too. That is neither patriotic nor honorable."

Wednesday 07.08.09

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/07/our-view-gays-in-the-military.html

Just days after he took office in 1993, President Clinton tried to deliver on a campaign promise to overturn the ban against gays in the military. He failed abysmally.

The military brass opposed him. The public opposed him. Congressional Republicans opposed him. Even some otherwise thoughtful senators from his own party shot him down. And the nation ended up stuck with the firestorm’s convoluted legacy — a compromise known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” that deftly combines pure prejudice with blatant hypocrisy. Recruits aren’t asked about sexual orientation (don’t ask) but are discharged if they engage in homosexual conduct or admit to being gay (don’t tell).

Now, 16 years later, the nation has another new Democratic president who vowed during his campaign to overturn this American embarrassment. Given the political history, the issue’s sensitivity and the crises President Obama has faced, it’s understandable that this was not his out-of-the-gate priority.

But six months into his presidency — when the nation is at war and the military remains overstretched — the time to move toward repeal is quickly arriving. If anything, the case against discrimination is stronger today than it was when “don’t ask, don’t tell” was enacted.

The country’s views of gay men and lesbians have changed drastically since 1993, when only 40% favored homosexuals serving openly in the military. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll in May found that 69% of adults favor open service for gay men and lesbians — including 58% of self-described conservatives.

Some retired officers insist that lifting the ban on gays would undermine readiness. But if anything is hurting readiness, it’s this policy. From its creation in 1993 to 2007, the armed forces discharged more than 12,000 otherwise qualified men and women under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” They’ve included combat troops, code-breakers, medical and intelligence specialists, and translators fluent in critical languages such as Arabic. The military has spent millions in tax dollars to train their replacements.

No less an authority than retired Army general John Shalikashvili, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, argued last month in The Washington Post that research “shows conclusively” that arguments for the gay ban are bunk. And Colin Powell, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1993 opposed lifting the ban, said Sunday on CNN that “a lot has changed” and that the policy should be reviewed.

Some of the most convincing evidence comes from other nations — including Britain, Canada and Israel — that have lifted bans. Britain’s new policy has proved so successful that the military now actively recruits gays and offers partner benefits.

Ultimately, it will be up to Congress to right this wrong with a new law. A House measure to do so, with 150 sponsors, needs and deserves Obama’s vocal support this fall as Congress completes action on his top priorities, particularly a health care overhaul.

Beyond the pragmatic reasons to overturn the ban is this: The policy is simply wrong. It says that gay men and lesbians may serve their country — and even die for their country, as many have — only when they deny who they are. If the truth comes out, they’re out, too. That is neither patriotic nor honorable.

Join our Statewide Online Town Hall, Thursday, July 9th at 6:30PM

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Join Us Thursday, 6:30PM for an
Online Town Hall on WFLA's Homophobic Programming

Thank You!

Nearly 1,000 of you responded to our recent survey about next steps regarding the airing of a homophobic program on the NBC affiliate WFLA in Tampa.
We've compiled your survey responses and we'll share them with you during our online town hall meeting, Thursday at 6:30. We'll also strategize on next steps. Click here to register.
WFLA is hoping we will move on to other issues so they can go back to business as usual. Are you going to let that happen?

Join our Statewide Online Town Hall,
Thursday, July 9th at 6:30PM
Thousands of our supporters have contacted the station condemn the airing of the program"Silencing the Christians." Now it's time to help us decide our next steps.
This has become a statewide and nationwide issue as anti-gay extremists shop this hateful infomercial around. Many have rejected the program as blatantly and dangerously bigoted. Others, including Tampa's NBC affiliate have cashed the $35,000 check without a concern for the harm inflicted on the gay community. The St. Petersburg Times took WFLA to task in a strong column.

EQFL Supporter at St. Pete Pride

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Winfield) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Image by: Paul Monti

What Do You Think About NBC Screening Homophobia?

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:47:00 +0000

WFLA Homophobic TV Program: Help Decide the Next Steps

How Should We Hold WFLA Accountable for Homophobic Programming?

Protest at the studio? Reach out to advertisers? Boycott?

Help Decide Next Steps- Take Our Survey and Tell Us What You Think

Over the past few days we've gotten tons of email from our members suggesting next steps as our community responds to the airing of the reckless, homophobic program on WFLA in Tampa.

This has become a statewide and nationwide issue as anti-gay extremists shop this hateful infomercial around. Many have rejected the program as blatantly and dangerously bigoted. Others, including Tampa's NBC affiliate have cashed the $35,000 check without a concern for the harm inflicted on the gay community.

More than 1,800 of our supporters have contacted the station condemn the airing of the program "Silencing the Christians".

The St. Petersburg Times took WFLA to task in a strong editorial.
WFLA is hoping we will move on to other issues so they can go back to business as usual.

What do you say?

Help Decide the next steps in responding to WFLA's anti-gay programming.

Click here to take our survey.

The results of our survey will be discussed on our Statewide Online Town Hall, Thursday, July 9th at 6:30 p.m. Complete the survey and you'll automatically recieve the details on how to join us Thusday night.

Is Challenging Anti-LGBT Messages Censorship?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Winfield) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Over the last several days, Equality Florida has received a few emails suggesting that our recent efforts - condemning Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA's screening of a homophobic infomercial - amount to censorship.

We could not disagree more.

Equality Florida would vigorously defend the American Family Association's (AFA) RIGHT to say what they want. Only government can take rights away, and we would strongly oppose, let alone advocate for government limiting AFA's ability to speak.

The First Amendment does not, however, require a television station to air absolutely anything if someone is willing to pay for it. Every broadcast company in the nation has standards for content and they vet that content all the time.

If an advertiser pulls their funding from a show because of the content, are they censoring that show and denying someone their freedom of speech? Of course not. They are simply making a business decision to not associate with the content of that show. Likewise, WFLA, a business, constantly makes decisions about what content it will and wont allow on its network.

As the St. Petersburg Times recently editorialized, in part:

"...The film criticizes efforts to allow gay people to serve in the military, to teach school children that homosexuality is acceptable and to pass laws preventing employers from discriminating against gay people.

If you were to substitute the words black or Hispanic for the word gay in the film, it's a safe bet that someone at WFLA would have raised a red flag, to use Pumo's words.

Could anyone, for example, imagine WFLA airing a documentary decrying "propaganda techniques to manipulate people into accepting the interracial lifestyle?" (replace the word "interracial" with "homosexual" and you have an actual line from Silencing Christians)."

We believe WFLA made a terrible decision that did real harm to the Tampa Bay community and they should apologize. They aired a one-sided show that was factually inaccurate and advocated for dangerous "reparative therapy" as a "treatment" for gay people.

Let's be clear. This show does harm to communities. The dehumanizing rhetoric used throughout the 60 minute broadcast is exactly the type a catalyst for increased anti-gay hate violence, especially perpetrated by impressionable young men.

When Ryan Skipper, a young gay Polk County man, was killed in 2007, his killers drove around and bragged to friends that they had killed a "fag." They were shocked that they weren't embraced as heroes. At the time, we asked ourselves "In what world did these young men live that it was okay to harm, even kill someone because of who they are?" It is shows like the one WFLA broadcast - at 7PM on a Saturday - that create a world in which anti-gay violence is at least perceived to be acceptable within a community.

That's our position. What do you think?

SP Times Editorial Condemns Anti-LGBT Program

noreply@blogger.com (Stratton Pollitzer) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:38:00 +0000

GREAT St. Pete Times Editorial on NBC / WFLA's broadcast of the homophobic infomercial, Speechless (The Times is Florida's largest newspaper). Nice job by our communications director, Brian Winfield. We learned about this program on Saturday morning and have been mobilizing a massive statewide response - to demand an apology and to ensure it doesn't get aired elsewhere in Florida. In just 5 days, over 2,000 eqfl members have hammered WFLA with letters and calls.

Stratton

St. Pete Times: WFLA should have seen the red flags over antigay program

On Saturday morning, thousands of people turned out to celebrate at St. Petersburg's annual Gay Pride parade and festival, promoting acceptance and tolerance of the area's gay, lesbian and transgendered residents.

Hours later, WFLA-Ch. 8 aired an hourlong special paid for by the conservative American Family Association called Speechless: Silencing the Christians. The film urged viewers to fight a "radical homosexual activist agenda" aimed partially at persecuting churchgoers who find homosexuality morally wrong.

Two sides of an issue that got the airing they deserved? Or was one over the line?

Equality Florida, a Tampa-based statewide gay rights group, thinks Media General-owned WFLA bowed to bigotry, sparking at least 1,000 telephone calls and e-mails of protest to the station. The group asked the NBC affiliate to reconsider airing the show three hours before its 7 p.m. broadcast Saturday, but general manager Mike Pumo said the content did not "raise a red flag," according to a story in the Tampa Tribune, also owned by Media General.

"This show paints the entire gay community as being anti-Christian and that's just not true," said Brian Winfield, director of communications for Equality Florida. "On a day when tens of thousands of Tampa residents and their friends gathered together to celebrate diversity and pride, WFLA chose to profit from screening a show that was dehumanizing to gay people."

Officials from WFLA and Media General did not return calls for comment, including Pumo, whose outgoing office voice mail message said he was on vacation until July 6. Similarly, a spokeswoman for the American Family Association did not return calls for comment.

Narrated by conservative Christian talk show host Janet Parshall, Silencing the Christians promises to "reveal the truth about the radical homosexual agenda and its impact on the family, the nation and religious freedom." The film criticizes efforts to allow gay people to serve in the military, to teach school children that homosexuality is acceptable and to pass laws preventing employers from discriminating against gay people.

If you were to substitute the words black or Hispanic for the word gay in the film, it's a safe bet that someone at WFLA would have raised a red flag, to use Pumo's words.

Could anyone, for example, imagine WFLA airing a documentary decrying "propaganda techniques to manipulate people into accepting the interracial lifestyle?" (replace the word "interracial" with "homosexual" and you have an actual line from Silencing Christians).

So what makes it okay to decry the "homosexual agenda," as the show kept repeating over and over?

"The striking thing about the gay and lesbian movement is that it's a grass roots thing," said Ray Arsenault, a professor of history at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg and a nationally recognized expert on civil rights. "There's hasn't been a signal from Washington, as with civil rights in the '60s. There's still a sense that it's okay to express this antigay bigotry."

The St. Petersburg Times faced a similar issue when it joined a growing list of newspapers that distributed the controversial DVD Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West to readers. Critics, who said the DVD was a backhanded way of demonizing Muslims, questioned whether the newspaper was treating the issue fairly.

And while producers of the film say Christians are being persecuted, Winfield fears gay people are the group under fire, demanding WFLA apologize for the broadcast. "At what point do we as Americans believe in fairness?" he asked. "When do we say that's true for everybody?"

Michael Farmer
GSA Network Coordinator
Equality Florida
407-462-9692
Michael@eqfl.org
416 N. Ferncreek Ave. Suite B, Orlando FL, 32803
www.eqfl.org/gsa

St. Petersburg's gay community seeks to become key voting bloc in mayor and council elections

noreply@blogger.com (Stratton Pollitzer) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:23:00 +0000

When we flex our collective political muscles, we are a force to be reckoned with, and victories in St. Pete this fall could yield a sea change in Pinellas politics. It's not that we must win every race. Simply winning a few, high profile, targeted races will send a signal to politicians that Equality is a winning message - and that homophobia has a political cost.

Stratton

St. Petersburg's gay community seeks to become key voting bloc in mayor and council elections

By Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, July 1, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG –– The rows of rainbow flags, feather boas and glitter-streaked men dressed as Hollywood starlets made for an unusual campaign backdrop.

But there they were, a handful of St. Petersburg mayoral and City Council candidates, passing out campaign literature, posing for pictures and introducing themselves to potential voters amid Saturday's St. Pete Pride festivities.

In a sign of St. Petersburg's changing politics, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community is harnessing its collective voice, forcing candidates to take notice.

After years of tension between the group and conservative Mayor Rick Baker, it's seizing the coming leadership change as a chance to make inroads and get its issues addressed.

"It is a matter of get-out-the-vote," said Rick Boylan, founder of the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats. "If we can mobilize the community and inform them of which candidates support issues and which candidates are pro-equality and get them to participate, we can definitely have an impact on who is elected."

The community sees Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner's election in November as a sign that the area is ready to embrace — or at least tolerate — them. Beckner was open about being gay during his campaign.

Now the group's efforts are focused on St. Petersburg City Council candidate Steve Kornell, a social worker with a shot at becoming the city's first openly gay elected official.

Beckner hosted a fundraiser for Kornell in Ybor City. Kornell also enjoys the financial and political support of prominent gay groups Victory Fund and Equality Florida.

The community's recent level of outreach is unprecedented.

St. Pete Pride hosted its first mayoral forum last week, drawing seven candidates.

Mayoral hopefuls Jamie Bennett, Kathleen Ford and Scott Wagman campaigned at St. Pete Pride, an event Baker has shunned since he was elected in 2001. Wagman marched alongside a crew of "fabulous" dogs he called Waggers for Wagman. Ford set up a booth. Bennett walked in the parade.

There also were City Council candidates aplenty.

Incumbents Jeff Danner, Leslie Curran and Karl Nurse put in appearances, along with Vel Thompson and Kornell.

The Stonewall Democrats interviewed the Democratic front-runners –– Ford, Wagman and Bennett –– and expect to endorse a candidate next month.

Nurse has also scheduled an upcoming fundraiser at Georgie's Alibi, a popular gay bar.

Gay activists said they are searching for a candidate who will best serve both the interests of residents citywide and the gay community. In other words, they want a mayor who will grant city workers domestic partner benefits and combat crime.

The gay community has been a growing presence in St. Petersburg since at least 2001, when St. Pete Pride was founded.

The Stonewall Democrats formed its chapter after campaign consultant Darden Rice lost her City Council bid in 2005. Rice was smeared for being a gay woman.

"That was a big consideration when I decided to run. What would happen? Would people be ready for me?" she said.

Beckner's election changed the political landscape, Rice said.

"I don't know that it has the newness or shock value it had before," she said.

The Stonewall Democrats rallied behind political newcomer Wengay Newton in 2007, helping to elect him to the City Council despite widespread opposition from political elite, including Baker. Newton's opponent was not seen as a supporter of gay rights. Newton, meanwhile, has walked in every St. Pete Pride since he was elected.

Beckner's victory over his conservative opponent in 2008 further buoyed hopes that the gay community could wield its influence in St. Petersburg.

"There is a personal stake in it for a lot of people now," said David Schauer, a St. Pete Pride organizer. "We see that we can make a difference."

Kornell said he does not think his sexual orientation will cost him votes. He faces community activist Angela Rouson and retired police Officer Joe Smith in the District 5 race, which covers the city's southernmost region.

Rouson and Smith are African-American. Kornell is white.

"I've always felt that discrimination has no place in our city," Kornell said.

Just how much impact the gay vote will have is difficult to measure. The organizational efforts are mostly untested and the size of the community in St. Petersburg is unknown.

The state GLBT Democratic Caucus estimated about 74,000 gay people in Pinellas, or roughly 8 percent of the population.

Still, candidates aren't taking any chances.

Republicans Bill Foster and Larry Williams attended the June 22 St. Pete Pride mayoral forum and spoke of their traditional beliefs.

"I went," Foster said, "It wasn't because I thought I was going to garner a lot of votes or get the most applause, but I want every citizen to know that I intend to listen and I intend to represent their interests whether we agree or disagree."

Bennett paid $500 to be a St. Pete Pride sponsor this year.

"They definitely participate in campaigns," he said. "No candidate or mayor can ignore them."

Cristina Silva can be reached at (727) 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

Shame On You NBC Channel 8- Time to Admit Your Mistakes

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias Packer) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:54:00 +0000

This past Saturday, as tens-of-thousands of Tampa Bay residents celebrated at St. Pete Pride, Tampa's NBC Ch. 8, WFLA, screened the ugly and dangerous anti-gay infomercial -Silencing Christians.

Help us DEMAND a public apology from NBC 8, WFLA and STOP this bigoted program from running elsewhere in Florida!

The moment we heard about the show, Equality Florida jumped into action and you responded. In just two hours, EQFL members in Tampa Bay

Sent 1,000 email letters to WFLA
Made hundreds of phone calls

After talking with Equality Florida, WFLA held an emergency meeting of top executives to review this program. Their decision: General Manager, Mike Pumo, said there were "no red flags" regarding the show's content and proceeded to air it.

Click here to send a letter demanding an apology.

Responsible stations across the country have refused to air this dangerous homophobic propaganda, but not WFLA, sister company to the Tampa Tribune and TBO.com.

Instead, WFLA NBC 8 chose to make $35,000 dollas off the demonization and dehumanization of LGBT people in Tampa Bay.

Don't let these homophobic lies go unchallenged!

With your donation, we'll launch a multi-pronged strategy to:

Demand WFLA issue a public apology for airing this dangerous infomercial.
Train 100 grassroots leaders from every corner of Florida on how to organize when these attacks happen locally (Equality Campaign Training is July 11-12)
Urge WFLA's advertisers to punish the station for running this awful program
Challenge this show anytime it's scheduled to air in any Florida market.

Click here to see the Homophobic Propaganda Show

Outraged?!

Help us fight these lies-
we can't do it without YOU!

Please give just $25

We'll put your gift to work immediately to:

Organize our community and keep the pressure on WFLA
Train 100 grassroots activist leaders in Orlando
Challenge any Florida stations planning to run this bigoted program
Contact businesses to pull ads from stations that do

Equality Florida responds in the Press:

'Homophobic' showspurs angry calls, e-mails to WFLA - Jun 27, Tampa Tribune

"We have 20,000 members in the Tampa Bay area," Pollitzer said. "We reached maybe 10,000 through the e-mail network. And, we only sent this to the greater Tampa Bay area, to folks within this media market. All the calls are from people who watch WFLA.
"By broadcasting this homophobia," he said, "WFLA is willing to make a profit off the dehumanization of the Tampa Bay gay and lesbian community."

WFLA should have seen the red flags over antigay program - Jun 30, St Pete Times

"This show paints the entire gay community as being anti-Christian and that's just not true," said Brian Winfield, director of communications for Equality Florida. "On a day when tens of thousands of Tampa residents and their friends gathered together to celebrate diversity and pride, WFLA chose to profit from screening a show that was dehumanizing to gay people."

Far Right-wing campaign targets openly gay Obama appointee

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Farmer) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:04:00 +0000

The right-wing Family Research Council is so outraged by the appointment of former Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network president Kevin Jennings to the Department of Education, the group has launched a campaign to get him booted from his post as assistant deputy secretary heading the department's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools..

The Stop Kevin Jennings campaign launched Monday morning with a public relations blitz and a full page ad in the D.C. Examiner newspaper. Below is a copy of the ad that was placed in the DC Examiner.

See the full story here.