 | | | | | | | | | |
 |  |  |  |  | | ||||
 | | ||||||||
 | | ||||||||
| |||||||||
 Michael,This Wednesday, July 2nd, we finally get our day in court. Join us and the six plaintiff couples in our marriage equality lawsuit for the 4pm hearing at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. WE REALLY NEED YOU THERE! Come show your support for our families and stand up for equality. Please arrive at 3pm or earlier. We will have signs available and a sign making station so we can offer positive messages. We also encourage you to bring large photos of your families and loved ones to hold up. We know the opposition is marshaling protestors. The Christian Family Coalition and others are calling on their members to show up and rally against equality. In a recent email to their members, they call Florida "ground zero" in their war against marriage equality. And they are asking their members to tell Judge Zabel to dismiss the "homosexual marriage lawsuit."
We need to be united against such hatred.
Can you join us? We must be positive in our efforts. If an opponent confronts you or tries to engage you, just ignore them. They love to provoke us when there is a TV camera nearby. Remember, we have equality and justice on our side!  Onward,  Nadine Smith Equality Florida CEO P.S. If you can’t make the hearing on July 2nd, remember we are having a Countdown to Marriage Rally this Saturday, June 28th at noon at the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach 33139. eqfl.org/rally | | ||||||||
| |||||||||
 |  | | |||||||
 | |||||||||
IMPORTANT: SHOW UP in Miami to Marriage Hearing on July 2nd!
Where To Watch Fireworks In Broward County
The Fourth of July is the day of the year for Americans to go above and beyond in showing their beaming pride.
Whether you're looking forward to Independence Day as an excuse to paint your face and feel like a kid again, run around hauling the American flag and patriotic gear, or simply as a day to appreciate our country with loved ones, there is a place to be for everyone, from parades and barbecues to concerts and car shows.
Here are ten festivities taking place in Broward County that will have spectacular fireworks, food and plenty of fun.
- Fort Lauderdale: The Fourth of July Spectacular on Fort Lauderdale Beach off AIA and Las Olas Boulevard will begin at 12 p.m. with music, games and contests. The fireworks show over the Atlantic Ocean simulcast with music on 101.5 LITE FM will take off at 9 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit fortlauderdale.gov.
- Sunrise: There is a full day planned in Sunrise for July 4th. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a "Marching Through History" Parade and Family Fun Day. The event will take place at City Park and feature floats going west along Sunset Strip to City Park. At City Park there will be free food, rides and entertainment. Then, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. the BB&T Center will be hosting an outdoor concert with fireworks at 9 p.m. The Jacob Jeffries Band will be opening up the night and the Grammy award-nominated Spin Doctors will headline.
- Hollywood: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Fourth of July celebration begins at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. Entertainment and various activities will be set up, from rock climbing to face painting and music. And for the FIFA fans, you can even watch the game at the Hard Rock's watch party at 4 p.m.
- Deerfield Beach: Muddy Waters Restaurant and Raw Bar will be hosting its annual July 4th barbecue. The tropical restaurant's celebration will be complete with drink specials, roast platters and kids activities. You can also enjoy grilled specials or raw oysters and clams that will be available as you enjoy the laid back ambiance.
- Davie: Flamingo Gardens will be kicking off Independence Day with its Old Fashioned Fourth event from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will feature a free antique car show, games throughout the gardens and wildlife sanctuary, watermelon and pie eating contests, '50 music and a barbecue. You're even encouraged to dig up your best '50s costume for a chance to win prizes.
- Hollywood: The Star Spangled Fourth of July Celebration will be taking place onHollywood Beach and Broadwalk beginning at 2 p.m. Children's activities will be set up at Charnow Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The fireworks show is at 9 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. free shuttles will be available for transportation from downtown to the beach. Where the fireworks display will be.
- Lauderdale-By-The-Sea: This beach town's festivities will begin with an Independence Day parade starting at 10 a.m. that will depart from Town Hall and finish atEl Prado Park. Music, food and games will be set up throughout town during the afternoon and the night will conclude with the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
- Deerfield Beach: You can expect a variety of activities at the 4th of July celebration in Deerfield Beach, including live entertainment, arts and crafts and food vendors. All activities will be by the main beach parking lot. Performances include the Grayson Rodgers Band and the BlueFire Band. The event begins at 1 p.m. and will conclude with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
- Pembroke Pines: The Independence Day Celebration will take place at the Pines Recreation Center Festival Grounds beginning at 6 p.m. and finishes with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The event will feature a food truck round up, family activities, rides, and arts and crafts. There will also be a free concert by Pocket Change. For details visit ppines.com.
- Pompano Beach: The annual July 4th Beach Bash Extravaganza will begin at noon and will be topped off with fireworks at the Pompano Beach Pier at 9 p.m. Pompano Beach Boulevard will be hosting live music and dance, arts and crafts, an antique car show and food trucks. For the schedule, visit pompanobeachfl.gov.
Former President Bill Clinton’s rally cry to Florida Democrats
Concentrate on expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage and getting Democrats elected in 2014.
That was former President Bill Clinton’s rally cry to Florida Democrats on Saturday night at the Florida Democratic Party’s Leadership Blue Gala in Hollywood.
The annual fundraising dinner, formerly known as the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, gave Democrats across the state a chance to meet candidates and gear up for the November elections.
“Folks, we have to concentrate,” Clinton said. “We have the issues. We have the candidates. We have to concentrate on the message and the mechanics.”
Clinton spoke for more than 40 minutes, touching on issues important to his Democratic base. The former president, who campaigned heavily in Florida in the final days of the 2012 presidential election, focused on health care, raising the minimum wage and improving the economy — in and out of Florida.
And while he refrained from mentioning the state’s Republican leadership by name, Clinton told supporters it’s important for Floridians to get out to the polls and elect Democrats come November.
“You can say all you want, you can have all the good positions in the world, you can have great candidates, but if we’re going to preserve democracy, real democracy, we’ve got to just show up,” Clinton said.
Clinton said there are 130 million people who “will vote in every presidential election,” but 50
million of those are not “faithful in voting in nonpresidential years.”
Those votes, he said, are disproportionately Democrats. Turning out in November, he said, could mean a Democrat in the Florida governor’s mansion.
“If you believe Florida is the state of the future, if you believe what I told you about what you can do for you own people, for the American people … then go out there and explain,” he said. “Explain, explain and figure out how to physically get people to the polls.”
While Clinton didn’t mention Republican Gov. Rick Scott of Naples by name, other top Democrats from across the state did. In a recorded message to the more than 1,500 people in attendance, Florida Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said it was time to send Scott back to Naples — eliciting boos from a contingent of Collier County Democrats in the ballroom.
“Florida deserves better, everyone in this room deserves better,” said Allison Tant, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party.
Tant said the gubernatorial race is a top priority for Democrats in 2014, and said the state plans to build the “largest field plan” the state party has ever seen.
“We will not be outworked. We will not be out-organized. We will make that last phone call. We will knock on that last door,” she said. “And in November, we will win. Rick Scott will be a one-term governor.”
Tant said the event raised more than $1.1 million. While this year’s event was expected to rally Democrats in advance of the November election, candidates were not the focus of the two-hour dinner Saturday evening.
However, Tant said, candidates had the chance to meet with clubs and caucuses throughout the day on Saturday.
“We have so much at stake,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fort Lauderdale, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. “Florida voters have a clear choice. We have to decide whether or not to choose to move Florida forward or more of the same. The bottom line is Florida cannot afford another four years of Rick Scott.”
Circuit Court Says States Can't Ban Gay Marriage
In a ruling that strikes down gay marriage ban in Oklahoma, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said today that the 14th Amendment protects same-sex couples’ right to marry.
The decision is in the Utah case, which was considered on a fast track with the Oklahoma case. In both cases, federal judges struck down state bans.
The Oklahoma case is still pending. However, the principle involved in the Utah case applies to Oklahoma and the other states in the circuit: Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and New Mexico.
Here is a key passage:
“May a State of the Union constitutionally deny a citizen the benefit or protection of the laws of th e State based solely upon the sex of the person that citizen chooses to marry?
“Having heard and carefully considered the argument of the litigants, we conclude that, consistent with the United States Constitution, the State of Utah may not do so.
“We hold that the Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right to marry, establish a family, raise children, and enjoy the full protection of a state’s marital laws. A state may not deny the issuance of a marriage license to two persons, or refuse to recognize their marriage, based solely upon the sex of the persons in the marriage union. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm.”
In the 2-1 decision, the court dismissed arguments from the state of Utah that allowing same-sex marriages would have a destabilizing effect on opposite-sex marriages.
“We cannot imagine a scenario under which recognizing same-sex marriages would affect the decision of a member of an opposite-sex couple to have a child, to marry or stay married to a partner, or to make personal sacrifices for a child,” the court ruled.
UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes will appeal the 10th Circuit court ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorney General Pam Bondi files motion to intervene in Florida gay marriage case (docs inside).
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi made it officially clear that she will in fact be fighting the Pareto/Ruvin case in Miami-Dade County as a steward of the state who wishes to see that gay marriage is summarily displaced despite the winds of change blowing the hair out of her blank eyes. We were cruising public records on the case and came across the latest filing, published directly beneath you. Sure, it may seem like it sucks, but it also means it is on. This story is developing and none of the principals can comment yet. We just thought you might like to know that your state is failing you.
"It is disappointing that at a time when attorneys general and governors across the country are refusing to defend these discriminatory marriage bans, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has decided to pour state resources into defending the indefensible. In decisions by judges appointed by both Democrats and Republicans, court after court has determined that barring loving same sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional, and we look forward to hearing from Florida's courts in the near future. This latest development shows just how out of touch Pam Bondi and the Rick Scott administration are with the majority of Florida voters.” - Nadine Smith, CEO Equality Florida
This is developing and we'll have more information here soon.
After making national news last month by claiming marriage equality would cause “significant public harm,” Attorney General Pam Bondi has doubled down on her bigoted campaign against LGBT Floridians. Bondi has offered to join additional lawsuits — at taxpayer expense — in an effort to obstruct marriage equality. As the Associated Press's Gary Fineout reported, Pam Bondi seeks to intervene in two lawsuits filed against the Miami-Dade and Monroe County clerks.
“After the initial backlash to her bigoted comments, Bondi insisted that she was just doing her job. Now it is clear that Bondi is waging an ideologically charged war against LGBT Floridians, going out of her way to waste taxpayer dollars in an effort to stop Floridians from enjoying the same rights as their fellow citizens. Floridians overwhelmingly agree that love is love, and for Bondi to continue to waste taxpayer dollars in an effort to shore up her Tea Party credentials during her reelection campaign is simply unconscionable. Floridians deserve an Attorney General that will fight for them — not a bigoted, self-interested politician like Pam Bondi,” said Florida Democratic Party Political Director Christian Ulvert.
Source Equality Florida, Florida Democratic Party
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Vigilance is best answer to safety in pools
By Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Robert S. Adler
 |
| Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz |
Summer has arrived and so have some of the tragic consequences that accompany outdoor fun: child drownings deaths and near-drownings. Already this year, we've seen too many gut-wrenching headlines of young lives taken too soon. We, as advocates for the safety of children, are deeply troubled by every story we read because these deaths are entirely avoidable.
In 2013, at least 41 of the 301 children under age 14 who drowned in a swimming pool or spa in the United States lived in Florida. This makes Florida second in the nation on a list that no state wants to lead. And in South Florida in particular, with our nearly year-round pool weather, we must be constantly vigilant against a split-second accident that can cause a lifetime of heartbreak.
In 2007, the prevention of drownings became a national priority when Congress passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The namesake of the legislation, a beautiful little girl who went by the name "Graeme", was a strong swimmer at just 7-years-old, but the drain she was suctioned to entrapped her and was so powerful that not even grown adults could pull her free.
The VGB Act was the first federal pool and spa safety legislation signed into law in our nation's history. Its passage would not have been possible without a number of advocates including Graeme's parents, Safe Kids Worldwide and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
The law instructed the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create a public education campaign to reduce child drownings, near-drownings, and drain entrapments in all pools. The result was the Pool Safely campaign, which advocates for multiple layers of protection, constant supervision of children in and around the water, ensuring that children learn how to swim and parents learn CPR, as well as the installation of safer drain covers in all public pools and spas.
The campaign encourages parents, children, pool owners, state and local governments, and safety organizations to act together as stakeholders in our mutual mission to save lives. This point cannot be underscored enough: there is no single solution to prevent drownings. But layers of protection, including CPR training, safer equipment, watchful eyes, and more public education, are a forceful combination of resources we can all utilize — together — in order to protect and save the precious lives of children.
One tangible step we can take is to ensure that more children learn how to swim. This is especially true within minority communities. According to USA Swimming, 70 percent of African-American children and 60 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, and black children alone drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their white peers, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. This disparity is unacceptable and unnecessary.
Another important component of the VGB Act was the creation of an incentive grant program to encourage states to adopt their own pool and spa safety laws. And we are thrilled that in January, President Obama signed into law a provision that expands this incentive program to municipalities, since Congress and CPSC quickly realized that local communities were better positioned to meet the program's minimum requirements. CPSC intends to create a new position responsible for operating the grant program and making sure grantees use the money for pool inspections and drowning prevention education.
Since 2000, Florida state law has required all pools and spas be equipped with safety equipment such as fences, self-closing and self-latching door mechanisms or door and window alarms that either block a child's access to the pool or sound an alarm when someone unexpectedly exits. We need more vigilant enforcement of these laws from our state and local governments because too many children drown in non-compliant pools. And pool owners need to keep their required safety equipment in place after inspectors leave because the bottom line is that, unfortunately, sometimes adult supervision lapses and when it does, an obstacle in the path of a young child can save their life.
We encourage readers to get in touch with their local leaders. Ask them to reach out to CPSC to get more information on available resources, minimum requirements, and application processes.
When we combine forces as concerned community members, our collective voice cannot be ignored.
We will never know how many lives we may save or how many near-drownings we prevent, but we do know that we can prevent the heartbreak of countless parents.
That alone is worth the effort.
Wasserman Schultz represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties in Congress, and is the author of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Adler is the Acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Join Congresswoman Frankel for a Community Discussion- National HIV Testing Day – A Call to Action
Please Join Congresswoman Lois Frankel
For a conversation with the community on
National HIV Testing Day – A Call to Action
2:00-3:00PM
Hagen Park Community Center
2020 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL
To RSVP please contact Congresswoman Frankel’s office either via email at
Felicia.Goldstein@mail.house.gov or call 561 998-9045
Have Broward Republicans Gone Too far
- On Monday June 23, one of the featured speakers at the BREC meeting isTrevor Loudon.Loudon is a New Zealand “author, speaker and political activist” who has fulminated for years about hidden Communists he sees everywhere. Apparently this has become a good way for the guy to make a buck.Lately Loudon has been promoting the idea that Gov. Jerry Brown is in favor of sharia law and that the “Red Chinese” are colonizing the U. S.
His views mirror that of the bizarro John Birch Society. He is a self-decribed “student” of Zenith Applied Philosophy, an offshoot of Scientology, which makes me wonder why some conservative Christians embrace him.
Loudon’s ideas are so - Trevor Loudon
flyer depicts a negative blurb and selected pictures depicting what the Tea Party circulated at the June 23rd County Republican meeting in a vicious attempt to demean Log Cabin Republicans and friends who participated in this year's Wilton Manors PRIDE event
See Flier Below:
Click The Flier To Enlarge
Perry Thurston, candidate for the Democratic nomination to run for Florida attorney general
Perry Thurston, candidate for the Democratic nomination to run for Florida attorney general
speaks to the Broward Democratic Party.
speaks to the Broward Democratic Party.
Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick Will Serve as Chair of the IAC, Advise FCC on Important Telecommunications Issues
Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick has been selected to serve as Chair of the Federal Communication Commission's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) for 2014-2016.
As chair of the IAC, Mayor Resnick selected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve as Vice Chair. Resnick and de Blasio will serve on the IAC alongside other county, state, municipal and tribal officials, including Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, to advise the FCC on important communications-related issues that affect their residents.
As chair of the IAC, Mayor Resnick selected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve as Vice Chair. Resnick and de Blasio will serve on the IAC alongside other county, state, municipal and tribal officials, including Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, to advise the FCC on important communications-related issues that affect their residents.
"I want to thank FCC Chairman Wheeler for this honor. This is a very important committee. We will deal with issues that have a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of families and businesses here in Wilton Manors and across the nation," said Mayor Resnick. "The FCC's regulations impact Internet, cellular, cable, public safety and other telecommunications services that we all rely on every day."
As an attorney and partner with the law firm of GrayRobinson in Fort Lauderdale, Resnick specializes in representing local governments and private clients in communications and cable law as well as regulatory affairs, utilities, charter schools and use of rights of way, making him well-suited to serve in this capacity.
As Mayor Resnick assumes his chairmanship on the IAC, the FCC faces some important questions about the future of communications in this country.
Comcast's acquisition of Time Warner, AT&T's acquisition of DirecTV, net neutrality, cable rates, termination fees, location of cell towers and radiation standards, and the industry's fiber transition are just some of the issues the IAC will address that have an impact on the lives of local residents and all Americans.
ABOUT THE FCC IAC The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee ("IAC"), formerly known as the Local and State Government Advisory Committee, was created in 1997 to provide guidance to the Commission on issues of importance to state, local and tribal governments, as well as to the Commission. The IAC is composed of 15 elected and appointed officials of municipal, county, state, and tribal governments. The IAC provides ongoing advice and information to the Commission on a broad range of telecommunications issues of interest to state, local and tribal governments, including cable and local franchising, public rights-of-way, facilities siting, universal service, broadband access, barriers to competitive entry, and public safety communications, for which the Commission explicitly or inherently shares responsibility or administration with local, county, state or tribal governments. For more information on the FCC IAC, please visit: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/intergovernmental-advisory-committee
Pride Street Festival and Parade 2014
Great time as always at Stonewall Pride Wilton Manors with Mayor Gary Resnick! So much to celebrate this year, and no better place to do it.
"This is a community-wide event that drew a diverse crowd of approximately 30,000 individuals and families each year," states Gary Resnick, Mayor of Wilton Manors. "The parade, street vendors, and live performances really offer something for everyone and we are just so thrilled to be hosting this celebration for the 15th consecutive year."
The festival is held in honor of the Stonewall Riots. Tired of harassment from the New York Police Department, the city's gay community staged a series of violent demonstrations on June 27, 1969. Each year, gay communities across the country hold events to honor the riots.
In addition to the parade and live performances, Stonewall Pride's organizers, Pride South Florida, said there would also be HIV/AIDS education and testing.
"Is there enjoyment? Yes. But there's going to be education and enlightenment," said Corey Boyd, Pride South Florida. "The role of the Stonewall event should be one of bringing to light the fact that members of [the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community] still do not have all our rights."
Lining the entire length of Wilton Drive will be vendor booths, food trucks, drink tents and non-profit organizations. The main stage will be located at Northeast 6th Avenue providing entertainment throughout the day. Two additional stages will also be set-up.
Ft. Lauderdale Approves Marriage Equality Resolution
 |
| Commissioner Dean Trantalis |
"We recently were designated an All-American city. Well, if we’re gonna truly be an All- American city we have to be a city for all Americans," Commissioner Dean Trantalis, who proposed the resolution, said to applause.
The resolution narrowly passed 3-2. The mayor was among those voting no, saying he supports civil unions, with benifits.
Romney Rogers voted no, because he believes marriage is between a man and a woman and is not a equality issue, Certainly I'm in favor of equality. But I believe marriage is a sacred covenant," Rogers said. Romney Rogers also said "I did not get elected to be on the right side of history"
Romney Rogers voted no, because he believes marriage is between a man and a woman and is not a equality issue, Certainly I'm in favor of equality. But I believe marriage is a sacred covenant," Rogers said. Romney Rogers also said "I did not get elected to be on the right side of history"
Video from NBC6 Below
Here is the Resolution
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY, URGING ENACTMENT OF A LAW THAT WOULD PROVIDE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND PROVIDING FOR RESCISSION OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lauderdale strives to protect the equal rights of all its residents without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lauderdale derives great strength from the diversity of its residents, employees, and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lauderdale extends employee health benefits to domestic partners regardless of sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, the lack of access to marriage under the laws of the State of Florida deprives members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of more than 1,000 federal benefits and responsibilities afforded heterosexual couples, including spousal social security and pension benefits, tax equity, and medical decision-making authority; and
WHEREAS, domestic partnership and civil union laws bring welcome recognition to same-sex couples and their families, but marriage remains the most widely accepted and best legal mechanism for protecting these families; and
WHEREAS, denying access to marriage for same-sex couples discriminates against them, relegates them to second-class citizenship, and serves to institutionalize discrimination in violation of the United States Constitution,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. That the City Commission supports equal access to legal marriage for same-sex couples, and opposes laws and constitutional amendments that deny equal access to legal marriage for same-sex couples.
SECTION 2. That the City Commission urges the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott to enact a law that would provide for marriage equality in the State of Florida.
SECTION 3. That the City Clerk is directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Broward County state legislative delegation and to Governor Rick Scott.
SECTION 4. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith, be and the same are rescinded to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 5. That this Resolution shall be in effect immediately upon its adoption.
ADOPTED this the _____ day of _________________, 2014.
______________________________
Mayor
JOHN P. “JACK” SEILER
.COUNTDOWN TO MARRIAGE! RALLY TO CALL FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW!
.COUNTDOWN TO MARRIAGE!
RALLY TO CALL FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW!
SATURDAY, JUNE 28 @ NOON
SATURDAY, JUNE 28 @ NOON
On Saturday, June 28, a coalition of South Florida organizations will host “Countdown to Marriage,” a rally to call on the State of Florida to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. The rally takes place at noon at the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.
Speaking with one voice, Equality Florida, SAVE ((Safeguarding American Values for Everyone, formerly SAVE Dade), ACLU of Florida, National Council of Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the LGBT Visitor Center will be joined by numerous other local agencies and organizations at the rally.
Following Attorney General Bondi’s inflammatory comments that marriage equality would cause “significant public harm,” the reaction from the LGBT community and its allies was swift and united. Organizers of the rally hope to leverage that enthusiasm into action.
With a whirlwind of favorable rulings throughout the country, the rally will also provide the community with an opportunity to hear about the status of some of the lawsuits presently in the Florida courts, as well as how to get involved in the fight for equality.
Two of the couples who are presently suing for marriage equality – Juan del Hierro & Thomas Gantt and Karla Arguello & Cathy Pareto– will be speaking at the rally, along with Michael Farmer, Equality Florida Statewide Field Director, Damian Pardo, SAVE board member and Daniel Tilley, ACLU staff attorney.
Countdown to Marriage takes place at noon on Saturday, June 28 behind the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. For further information, please call (305) 751-7283 or (954) 458-3639.
Media Contacts:
Equality Florida: Sharon Kersten 954.314.7288 / kerstenpr@att.net
SAVE: Devin Cordero 305.751.SAVE / devin@savedade.org
ACLU: Baylor Johnson 786 363 2737media@aclufl.org
Equality Florida: Sharon Kersten 954.314.7288 / kerstenpr@att.net
SAVE: Devin Cordero 305.751.SAVE / devin@savedade.org
ACLU: Baylor Johnson 786 363 2737media@aclufl.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)