Voter's Guide: Florida House of Representatives
- District 54, October 7, 2003
(Pinellas County - parts of Belleair Beach, Bellear, Largo, Pinellas Park)
Dear Equality Florida Pinellas family:
While big, national issues attract the most attention in the media, it's often state and local issues that have the most direct impact on the daily lives of people. For years, Equality Florida has been known as a valuable resource for voters on races at the state level. Local races get less attention and often voters have no idea of the values and opinions of candidates when it comes to issues that effect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. That's why Equality Florida is polling candidates and asking them the questions that are important to us. Voters will have better information about the people they are voting for and candidates will be educated about these issues.
Please use the information below to make an informed decision when you vote ... and don't forget to share it with your friends and family!
--
C. Vonn New 813-870-3735 x 214
Central Florida Field Director & IT Manager, Equality Florida
Network Coordinator and Interfaith Organizer,
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State
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Voter's Guide: Florida House of Representatives - District 54
Candidates:
John Daniel Coleman, 1730 Indian Rocks Rd, Belleair, FL 33756 727-587-9050
Donald C. Sullivan, P.O. Box 983, Pinellas Park, FL 33780 727-460-3619
Questionaire:
All candidates were sent the following questionaire.
The responses below each question are verbatim from the candidates.
Personal Non-Discrimination Pledge
1. During my campaign, I will refrain from making any appeals to prejudice based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
2. If elected, I would pledge to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression within my office.
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
Dignity for All Students
3. The Dignity for All Students bill would ban bias-based harassment in schools statewide. If elected, will you co-sponsor this bill?
(For more information, please Click Here.)
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
Domestic Partnership
4. Domestic partner benefits would allow unmarried public employees to designate a beneficiary for programs including pension, health, and life insurance benefits. Do you support providing domestic partnership benefits to unmarried public employees?
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
Training
5. Do you favor including specific training regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in diversity training programs for public employees?
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
Non-Discrimination Policy
6. Would you support extending the state civil rights bill to eliminate discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation gender identity and expression in housing, employment, public accommodations and other vital areas?
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
Health Care
7. Do you support access to low cost, safe, effective contraception and abortions?
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
8. Will you work to protect necessary funding for education, prevention and care regarding HIV / AIDS?
Coleman: Yes
Sullivan: Did not respond
Friday, October 03, 2003
Hobo Signs & Symbols
Some hobos now communicate via cellular phones and e-mail. But the classic American hobo of early this century communicated through a much more basic system of marks--a code through which they gave information and warnings to their fellow Knights of the Road. Usually, these signs would be written in chalk or coal on a trestle, fence, building or sidewalk, letting others know what they could expect in the area of the symbol.
Click here for a lexicon of symbols.
Some hobos now communicate via cellular phones and e-mail. But the classic American hobo of early this century communicated through a much more basic system of marks--a code through which they gave information and warnings to their fellow Knights of the Road. Usually, these signs would be written in chalk or coal on a trestle, fence, building or sidewalk, letting others know what they could expect in the area of the symbol.
Click here for a lexicon of symbols.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Jamie Anderson & No More Silence In Concert
The First Unity Church, 469 45th Ave North, St. Petersburg
Sunday, October 12, 2003 at 6:30 PM
Proceeds from the concert will help support the Pinellas chapter of PFLAG.
Tickets available at door: $10.00 or by calling: 727 525-7232
Jamie Anderson in concert.
Touring nationally since 1987, Jamie Anderson is known for her solid songwriting and engaging stage presence. With a voice as smooth as Shawn Colvin and a sense of humor as wacko as comic Suzanne Westenhoefer and singer song writer Cheryl Wheeler, Jamie has entertained in hundreds of coffeehouses, concert halls and festivals all over the U.S. She's performed on the main stage at the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, at colleges, pride events, folk festivals and at almost every women's music festival. She has seven recordings, including the newest one "Listen."
No More Silence is an ensemble of women based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, who sing in benefit for organizations that are working in various ways to better their community. Their mission is to pursue the elimination of prejudice and discrimination and to uphold civil and human rights for all people, through song.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
"With their excellent blend of voices, eclectic array of songs, and polished presentation, they enthrall an audience. 'They're awesome' is the typical response from their new fans."
For More Information, contact No More Silence at (727) 525-7232.
The First Unity Church, 469 45th Ave North, St. Petersburg
Sunday, October 12, 2003 at 6:30 PM
Proceeds from the concert will help support the Pinellas chapter of PFLAG.
Tickets available at door: $10.00 or by calling: 727 525-7232
Jamie Anderson in concert.
Touring nationally since 1987, Jamie Anderson is known for her solid songwriting and engaging stage presence. With a voice as smooth as Shawn Colvin and a sense of humor as wacko as comic Suzanne Westenhoefer and singer song writer Cheryl Wheeler, Jamie has entertained in hundreds of coffeehouses, concert halls and festivals all over the U.S. She's performed on the main stage at the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, at colleges, pride events, folk festivals and at almost every women's music festival. She has seven recordings, including the newest one "Listen."
No More Silence is an ensemble of women based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, who sing in benefit for organizations that are working in various ways to better their community. Their mission is to pursue the elimination of prejudice and discrimination and to uphold civil and human rights for all people, through song.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
"With their excellent blend of voices, eclectic array of songs, and polished presentation, they enthrall an audience. 'They're awesome' is the typical response from their new fans."
For More Information, contact No More Silence at (727) 525-7232.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Soulforce Press Release: October 1, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Montgomery Rutt - Cell: 717-278-0592 www.soulforce.org/main/pr100103outandabout.shtml
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Weekend of Gay Pride and Activism in Lynchburg, VA
(Lynchburg, VA) - A weekend of gay pride and activism in Lynchburg, Virginia will take place October 10-12, 2003, and is being sponsored by 25 religious and civil rights organizations. Lynchburg is the home of anti-gay televangelist Jerry Falwell, who stated that he is dedicating his talents, time, and energies to the passage of an (anti-gay) amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“Jerry Falwell says that he wants to ‘protect traditional families,’ but what he is doing is promoting discrimination against our families,” said Gina Grubb, one of the organizers from Tennessee. “Our families are families, too. What Jerry doesn’t seem to grasp is that it is LOVE that makes a family, not the family structure itself!”
OCTOBER 11 – NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY in LYNCHBURG, VA
9:00 am – CIVIL MARRIAGE EQUALITY FORUM focused on religious support for equal marriage rights, at First Christian Church, 3019 Rivermont Avenue – with representatives from Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, People for the American Way, Interfaith Working Group, and Dontamend.com.
12:30 am – PRIDE MARCH TO THE PARK from First Christian Church to Riverside Park, along Rivermont Avenue.
1:00 pm – COMING OUT AND ABOUT IN LYNCHBURG - This mini-pridefest includes merchandise from Lambda Rising Bookstore - Washington DC, information booths from many of the sponsors listed below, and a variety of music – female impersonator Ravyn Vega from Lynchburg, trombonist Ben Hunt and singer/songwriter Shana Scudder, both formerly of Lynchburg, electric guitarist Joe Osborne from Charlottesville, Christian contemporary singer Marcus Young, singer/songwriter Judy Insly, poet Laurie Pollack, opera singer Arthur Pekar, and more. Speakers will include openly gay Muslim cleric Imam Abdullah from Washington DC, Rev. Jimmy Creech, Rev. Mel White, founder of Soulforce, and others. Soulforce Youth coordinator Jake Reitan will be the emcee.
Other weekend activities include:
¨ October 9-10, (Thurs-Fri) Soulforce local group grassroots training - Wyndam Inn on Candler Mt. Road.
¨ October 10 at 7pm, (Fri. night) Soulforce Nonviolence training –First Christian Church, 3019 Rivermont Ave.
¨ October 12 at 8am, (Sunday morning) Vigil and blessing of families in front of Falwell’s church – Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Sponsors include: Al-Fatiha (GLBTQI Muslims), Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Catawba Valley PFLAG, Dontamend.com, Equality Virginia, Family Pride Coalition, First Christian Church (Lynchburg), First Light Ministries, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Hickory, NC - PFLAG, Interfaith Working Group, Lambda Rising Bookstore, Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia, Love Makes a Family, Inc., Lynchburg PFLAG, Marriage Equality - USA, MCC Charlottesville, New Beginnings Christian Church of Richmond, People for the American Way, Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge, Remnant Worship Group, Roanoke – 7, Soulforce, Inc., Virginia NOW, Virginia Organizing Project - Lynchburg Chapter, Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club, World Congress of GLBT Jews, and more added daily.
MEDIA VISUALS: Throughout the weekend, participants will carry large photographs of same-gender couples and their families. A blessing of couples and families will take place outside Thomas Road Baptist Church on Sunday during services.
Soulforce is a national interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. We teach and employ the nonviolence principles as taught by Gandhi and King to the liberation of sexual and gender minorities. See www.soulforce.org for more information.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Montgomery Rutt - Cell: 717-278-0592 www.soulforce.org/main/pr100103outandabout.shtml
****************************************************
Weekend of Gay Pride and Activism in Lynchburg, VA
(Lynchburg, VA) - A weekend of gay pride and activism in Lynchburg, Virginia will take place October 10-12, 2003, and is being sponsored by 25 religious and civil rights organizations. Lynchburg is the home of anti-gay televangelist Jerry Falwell, who stated that he is dedicating his talents, time, and energies to the passage of an (anti-gay) amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“Jerry Falwell says that he wants to ‘protect traditional families,’ but what he is doing is promoting discrimination against our families,” said Gina Grubb, one of the organizers from Tennessee. “Our families are families, too. What Jerry doesn’t seem to grasp is that it is LOVE that makes a family, not the family structure itself!”
OCTOBER 11 – NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY in LYNCHBURG, VA
9:00 am – CIVIL MARRIAGE EQUALITY FORUM focused on religious support for equal marriage rights, at First Christian Church, 3019 Rivermont Avenue – with representatives from Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, People for the American Way, Interfaith Working Group, and Dontamend.com.
12:30 am – PRIDE MARCH TO THE PARK from First Christian Church to Riverside Park, along Rivermont Avenue.
1:00 pm – COMING OUT AND ABOUT IN LYNCHBURG - This mini-pridefest includes merchandise from Lambda Rising Bookstore - Washington DC, information booths from many of the sponsors listed below, and a variety of music – female impersonator Ravyn Vega from Lynchburg, trombonist Ben Hunt and singer/songwriter Shana Scudder, both formerly of Lynchburg, electric guitarist Joe Osborne from Charlottesville, Christian contemporary singer Marcus Young, singer/songwriter Judy Insly, poet Laurie Pollack, opera singer Arthur Pekar, and more. Speakers will include openly gay Muslim cleric Imam Abdullah from Washington DC, Rev. Jimmy Creech, Rev. Mel White, founder of Soulforce, and others. Soulforce Youth coordinator Jake Reitan will be the emcee.
Other weekend activities include:
¨ October 9-10, (Thurs-Fri) Soulforce local group grassroots training - Wyndam Inn on Candler Mt. Road.
¨ October 10 at 7pm, (Fri. night) Soulforce Nonviolence training –First Christian Church, 3019 Rivermont Ave.
¨ October 12 at 8am, (Sunday morning) Vigil and blessing of families in front of Falwell’s church – Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Sponsors include: Al-Fatiha (GLBTQI Muslims), Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Catawba Valley PFLAG, Dontamend.com, Equality Virginia, Family Pride Coalition, First Christian Church (Lynchburg), First Light Ministries, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Hickory, NC - PFLAG, Interfaith Working Group, Lambda Rising Bookstore, Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia, Love Makes a Family, Inc., Lynchburg PFLAG, Marriage Equality - USA, MCC Charlottesville, New Beginnings Christian Church of Richmond, People for the American Way, Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge, Remnant Worship Group, Roanoke – 7, Soulforce, Inc., Virginia NOW, Virginia Organizing Project - Lynchburg Chapter, Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club, World Congress of GLBT Jews, and more added daily.
MEDIA VISUALS: Throughout the weekend, participants will carry large photographs of same-gender couples and their families. A blessing of couples and families will take place outside Thomas Road Baptist Church on Sunday during services.
Soulforce is a national interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. We teach and employ the nonviolence principles as taught by Gandhi and King to the liberation of sexual and gender minorities. See www.soulforce.org for more information.
We who have signed the MillionForMarriage petition are all different, but we have one thing in common - we believe in civil marriage equality for same-sex couples.
National Coming Out Day is October 11, 2003. In the past, this day has been a celebration for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people who come out of the closet. This year, let's ALSO make it about coming out for civil marriage equality.
Whether you're gay, transgender, lesbian, straight, or bisexual, come out to others as a supporter of civil marriage for ALL families. Print our MillionForMarriage poster and hang it in your office, on your refrigerator, your door, your window - just click here to download a copy.
Then, ask every single person you love to come out for civil marriage for all families. Tell them that there is no more powerful way they can show their love for you than to sign the Million for Civil Marriage petition in support of equal rights for all families.
Send them to http://www.millionformarriage.org.
Tell them that silence hurts, and support heals.
Tell them that this is the moment to stand up and take sides - yours.
For more information about the Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Project, visit www.hrc.org/ncop For more information about GLBT families, visit the Human Rights Campaign’s FamilyNet Project.
National Coming Out Day is October 11, 2003. In the past, this day has been a celebration for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people who come out of the closet. This year, let's ALSO make it about coming out for civil marriage equality.
Whether you're gay, transgender, lesbian, straight, or bisexual, come out to others as a supporter of civil marriage for ALL families. Print our MillionForMarriage poster and hang it in your office, on your refrigerator, your door, your window - just click here to download a copy.
Then, ask every single person you love to come out for civil marriage for all families. Tell them that there is no more powerful way they can show their love for you than to sign the Million for Civil Marriage petition in support of equal rights for all families.
Send them to http://www.millionformarriage.org.
Tell them that silence hurts, and support heals.
Tell them that this is the moment to stand up and take sides - yours.
For more information about the Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Project, visit www.hrc.org/ncop For more information about GLBT families, visit the Human Rights Campaign’s FamilyNet Project.
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Help ensure your financial records are kept private and secure. from: Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
In reaction to a strong financial privacy law adopted earlier this year in California, big banks, insurance companies and other financial firms are pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would set a low national standard for our financial privacy.
Current federal law allows widespread distribution of your private information among financial institutions. Under legislation being considered by the Senate, financial institutions would be able to continue selling and sharing details of your personal financial life without your approval. This includes all of the financial and personal information that banks, mortgage companies and other financial institutions possess.
But some Senators are fighting back. A proposed amendment to the bill would restrict the amount of information available for sharing and would allow you to indicate that you do not want your information to be released.
Click here for more information.
In reaction to a strong financial privacy law adopted earlier this year in California, big banks, insurance companies and other financial firms are pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would set a low national standard for our financial privacy.
Current federal law allows widespread distribution of your private information among financial institutions. Under legislation being considered by the Senate, financial institutions would be able to continue selling and sharing details of your personal financial life without your approval. This includes all of the financial and personal information that banks, mortgage companies and other financial institutions possess.
But some Senators are fighting back. A proposed amendment to the bill would restrict the amount of information available for sharing and would allow you to indicate that you do not want your information to be released.
Click here for more information.
Monday, September 29, 2003
Walk as One for Anytown
Who/What:
ANYONE interested in fighting bias, bigotry and racism can join Tampa's inaugural Walk as One. A team consists of a minimum of five people, individual non-team member walkers are welcome, every walker should work towards collecting $75 in pledges (and collect them in advance to turn in). Incentives begin at the $75 level, everyone will receive something. This walk is roughly 5K, or 3.1 miles
When:
Saturday, November 8th, 2003, registration begins at 9:00 a.m., the walk begins at 9:55 sharp
Where:
Lykes Gaslight Square Park at Franklin and Madison in Downtown Tampa
Why:
To raise money for NCCJ--Tampa Bay's Anytown Program and to show the community that we CAN walk together as one Tampa Bay
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
First and foremost help get the word out and the above information out. The more people who know about the event, the more will show up and support NCCJ. Think of students you work with, adults you work with, e-mail lists you belong to, mailing lists you have, events you are going to from now until November 8th, etc. Also think of how your programs can sponsor a team; Sponsor a team: If you belong to any organizations (i.e. Greek organizations, church groups, community activist groups, school group, extra-curricular group, etc) please solicit team members from them for your very own Walk as One Team. Again, a team consists of a team captain and four additional walkers (though the larger the team, the more support for NCCJ)
Individuals and teams can now register online!!! www.nccj.org
"I have information, corporate and team packets available. I also have "Walk as One Buttons" that you can wear to drum up interest. Please let me know if you would like help with any of the above or would like to volunteer to help with the day of event. . .
THANKS A TON for your support in Walk as One!!!"
Donald Taylor, Jr. Walk Coordinator
727-568-9333 dtaylor@nccj.org
Who/What:
ANYONE interested in fighting bias, bigotry and racism can join Tampa's inaugural Walk as One. A team consists of a minimum of five people, individual non-team member walkers are welcome, every walker should work towards collecting $75 in pledges (and collect them in advance to turn in). Incentives begin at the $75 level, everyone will receive something. This walk is roughly 5K, or 3.1 miles
When:
Saturday, November 8th, 2003, registration begins at 9:00 a.m., the walk begins at 9:55 sharp
Where:
Lykes Gaslight Square Park at Franklin and Madison in Downtown Tampa
Why:
To raise money for NCCJ--Tampa Bay's Anytown Program and to show the community that we CAN walk together as one Tampa Bay
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
First and foremost help get the word out and the above information out. The more people who know about the event, the more will show up and support NCCJ. Think of students you work with, adults you work with, e-mail lists you belong to, mailing lists you have, events you are going to from now until November 8th, etc. Also think of how your programs can sponsor a team; Sponsor a team: If you belong to any organizations (i.e. Greek organizations, church groups, community activist groups, school group, extra-curricular group, etc) please solicit team members from them for your very own Walk as One Team. Again, a team consists of a team captain and four additional walkers (though the larger the team, the more support for NCCJ)
Individuals and teams can now register online!!! www.nccj.org
"I have information, corporate and team packets available. I also have "Walk as One Buttons" that you can wear to drum up interest. Please let me know if you would like help with any of the above or would like to volunteer to help with the day of event. . .
THANKS A TON for your support in Walk as One!!!"
Donald Taylor, Jr. Walk Coordinator
727-568-9333 dtaylor@nccj.org
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