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AMENDMENT 2 PASSES DESPITE WARNINGS
OIA Newswire
MIAMI, Fla. (November 4, 2008) – Today, Florida voters approved Amendment
2, the so-called Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, in spite of
warnings that the new amendment could have far-reaching, unknown
consequences.
"The amendment sponsors took great care to reassure us that Amendment 2
would not threaten existing protections and benefits," said Jon Kislak,
Chairman of Florida Red & Blue, the bi-partisan, statewide organization
which opposed the amendment. "I hope we can count on them to keep their
word and not use the amendment to open the doors to a courthouse assault on
existing rights and benefits."
Florida Red & Blue and an unprecedented array of bi-partisan and
non-partisan leaders and organizations expressed concern that, if approved,
the amendment could be used to threaten existing rights and benefits of
Floridians including hospital visitation and access to health care and
other benefits.
Prominent office holders, leaders and organizations who opposed the
amendment included former Senator Bob Graham, Florida Chief Financial
Officer Alex Sink, City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Republican Congresswoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the League of Women Voters, Florida's Fighters and
the editorial writers of 23 Florida newspapers.
"We worked hard to educate voters about what could be the dangerous
fall-out from Amendment 2," Kislak said. "But it proved to be a complex
and nuanced argument."
### Full Story. [11/5/08]
SAFE SCHOOLS SOUTH FLORIDA TRAINS STUDENTS
"I used to be so afraid, and my pain was pent up and not to be shared. I now live a life of truth, and I am alive. Thank you, for everything :}"
-Andre
On September 6, 2008, over 15 GLBTQ students participated in a workshop in which they learned about themselves, their identities, and how best they could share their stories of themselves to help teachers understand GLBTQ students in their classes.
One of the goals of Safe Schools South Florida is to educate teachers about GLBTQ students and the issues they face and how teachers and others can best support these students. One of the best ways to teach these teachers and others -- Safe Schools South Florida has found -- is to have panels of GLBTQ students tell teachers and others about their school and life experiences.
Held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami and co-sponsored by Safe Schools South Florida in collaboration with the Alliance for GLBTQ Youth and the City of North Miami, the workshop was introduced by a very special guest: openly gay North Miami city commissioner Scott Galvin.
"We are at a very exciting point in the country," Scott told the group of youths. "In two months we will either have our first black president or our first female vice president. There is no reason either of you can't be the first openly gay president."
Scott talked about how he decided to come out and be openly gay.
"I would always have the chance to lose an election. But I couldn't live with myself if I knew that these injustices were occurring and I wasn't being true about who I was and have the opportunity to make a difference," he explained, noting the recent talk of same-sex marriage amendments as fuel to his fire.
Safe Schools South Florida president and co-founder Robert Loupo was also on hand to introduce the workshop, encouraging the youth and praising them.
"It is because of you guys that we are able to enact change," he explained.
Long-time Miami-Dade County Public Schools high school guidance counselor and Safe Schools South Florida trainer, Lisa La Monica ran the workshop, utilizing an interesting mix of writing, poetry, gesturing, and sharing in order to teach and mold the youth. She taught the youth how to best find the words and structure to tell their stories. She stressed the fact that all of the youth were worthy and inspiring human beings, despite the many obstacles facing their lives.
The youth were a wide mix from ages 15 to 20 of varying genders and ethnicities. Lisa La Monica stressed to the youth the importance of staying true to themselves. She taught them how to tell their stories using strong language, and feeling words, explaining that crying was okay for the story.
Through these youth, Safe Schools South Florida hopes to show educators a face and story to the statistical details. With GLBTQ youth having the highest rate of suicide and targeting by bullies, the non-profit organization hopes to lower these statistics with these workshops and trainings.
Safe Schools South Florida will be hosting other Youth Speaker Trainings throughout the school year. For more information or to register, contact Juan Carlos Galan at the Alliance for GLBT Youth at jcgalan@glbtalliance.com 305/899-8087.
For more information about Safe Schools South Florida visit the website www.safeschoolssouthflorida.org .
> Full Story. [10/24/08]
FOURTEEN MAJOR FLORIDA DAILIES RECOMMEND VOTING "NO"
MIAMI, Fla. (October 14, 2008) – Amendment 2, the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment, needs to garner 60 percent of the vote to pass but the more significant point spread deciding its fate may be 14 to 0. That's the current count of major Florida newspapers recommending readers vote "no" on the amendment versus newspaper editorials urging its adoption. > Full Story. [10/15/08]
WEST PALM BEACH AND LAKE WORTH COMMISSIONS SAY NO 2
MIAMI, Fla. (October 13, 2008) – Cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Commissions oppose Amendment 2, the so-called "Florida Marriage Protection Amendment." > Full Story. [10/13/08]
FRIDAY & SATURDAY PROGRAMMING AT CLIP!
Friday and Saturday October 3rd and 4th
Visit www.cliptampabay.com to see complete film lineups and ticket options! Tickets are available at the Tampa Theatre Box Office 711 Franklin St Tampa Tickets $9 or $7 for students
Friday Oct 3rd
7:00 Tru Loved- The Fill the House Challenge!* Tru Loved is a wonderfully inclusive, unconventional romantic comedy with a twist on the usual coming-out story. Biracial lesbian mom couple, gay dads, a sassy grandma and a host of charming characters represent every point on the LGBT spectrum. Tru is straight, but just about the only character that is! A feast of performers not to be missed: Alexandra Paul, Jane Lynch, Alec Mapa, Marcia Wallace, Jasmine Guy, Nichelle Williams (yes Star Trek's Uhura), Dave Kopay and Bruce Vilanch to name but a few. You don't have to be going to the Gala to attend the movie!
*We want to fill the house with 1400 people to watch the movie-it will be great to have that kind of energy buzzing all around us!
9:00 The Gala Party!- at the Don Vicente de Ybor featuring food, open bar, music and dancing with Lounge Cat and DJ Andy all included for just $50pp ! (included in Diva pass)
9:30 The Best of Womyn's Shorts- High end film values, top-notch writing and professional=2 0budgets make these award winning lesbian themed films a must-see treat not to be missed!
Saturday Oct 4th
This is a day for everyone-from young ones on up!
11:00 am FREE to public- Dottie's Magic Pockets- A Show for Kids with Two Mommies, Two Daddies, Or Even One of Each! If someone put Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo in a blender, and then topped it with a few spr inklings of Bear in the Big Blue House this would be it!
12:00pm (noon)GSA Friendly Shorts- If you are in high school, or were ever that age…these shorts are for you-Gay, Gay Friendly and worth seeing.
1:30 Equality U- NOT TO BE MISSED! 33 college students travel the country to meet with students and administrators from the most conservative Christian colleges in20the country and find surprising results. They are arrested, met with resistance, have their own ideological struggles within the group-and ultimately stare it all down with courage, dignity and - dare we say? - grace. Bring your tissues, the reception and die-in at Brigham Young University will leave you weeping and cheering. Please pass along to PFLAG, Church groups, Colage, ACLU, NCLR, HRC, GSA, Community Tampa Bay or other interested groups-this is the film everyone needs to see about where HATE is-and isn't -- in our country.
3:30 Fun in Girls Shorts- Come on out ladies (and gentlemen) to support the short filmmakers. They are the feature directors of the future. The well made short is an amazing testimony to story telling. Take a crew, a cast and 5-25 minutes and make a complete movie. We have some gems!
5:30 Out Late & The Love That Won't Shut Up!- Out Late (Elaine Webber one of the subjects profiled will be in attendance) is a brilliant collection of people who simply came out later than the rest of us. The sheer relief and joy as these people accept themselves is amazing to watch! The Love That Won't Shut Up is a fascinating look at LGBT history with people who lived through it. Police raids, knife carrying butches and so much more. We sometimes forget what those before us endured for our relative freedom.
7:45 Between Love and Goodbye –Filled with unqualified romance, hilarious situations and plenty of down and dirty drama this film is for anyone who has the guts to enter into a relationship. We watch as a young, sexy couple falls in love then have to choose between family and love. A lesbian friend who saves the day, a sister who drives a wedge and immigration issues surround Kyle and Marcel as they live in the space between love and goodbye. Ladies, don't be fooled by the photos, you'll love this one too! (We'll have stars: Simon Miller, Jane Elliot and Rob Harmon at the screening)
10:00 The Kinsey Sicks: Almost Infamous-You've seen them live, but never like this- the smelly costumes, the condescending sound guys, the exhaustion, and the dead audiences. We watch a queer act trying to come to terms with its own success. Will the singers soften the emotional edge of their show to appeal to a larger audience? Can they hold up under the pressure of performing every day? Will they get the hotel to pay for their wireless Internet? Another best bet for everyone. > Full Story. [10/3/08]
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