From a favorite source of mine, Merriam-Webster, the definition of ethics as:

* rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad.

* an area of study that deals with ideas about what is good and bad behavior.

* a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong.

* a belief that something is very important.

They define responsibility as:

* the state of being the person who caused something to happen

* a duty or task that you are required or expected to do

* something that you should do because it is morally right, legally required, etc.

One of the things that seem to go hand in hand with getting older is lack of patience and a lower tolerance level of people who will say or do anything to anyone in order to get ahead, make themselves (seem to) look good.

The workplace can be loaded with people who feel entitled.  When they show up, it is to do as little as possible.  When they don’t show up it can be a burden on others, but it doesn’t seem to bother them.  Yet if someone else does the same thing, you would think a major crime had been committed.  What happened  to work ethics?

A person tells blatant lies about others whether it is in person or through social media.  They defraud others.  They show up in places and act out in unprofessional  ways.    They stalk people.  Many of the persons involved go to authorities and they’re all but blow off as if it were a minor issue or no big deal.  Once the person makes a threat to a whole community, all of a sudden the people who should have stepped up and taken action in the first place are now listening to what has been told to them all along.  Amazing how a handful of people are made to feel insignificant when they reach out to those who are supposed to serve and protect, yet when it escalates to a point it should never have reached, those  same people who should have  helped in the  first  place want to jump into action and look like heroes.  What happened to taking responsibility?

Friday night, September 9th, 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton states (as reported by the New York Times):

“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right?” she said to applause and laughter. “The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic — you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up.”

“By Saturday afternoon, Mrs. Clinton had acknowledged her stumble. “Last night I was ‘grossly generalistic,’ and that’s never a good idea,” she said in a statement. “I regret saying ‘half’ — that was wrong.”

“She then used the opportunity to double down on her criticism of her opponent. “It’s deplorable that Trump has built his campaign largely on prejudice and paranoia,” she said, “and given a national platform to hateful views and voices, including by retweeting fringe bigots with a few dozen followers and spreading their message to 11 million people.”

Monday, September 12th, 2015, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump states (according to abcnewsgo.com):

“After months of hiding from the press, Hillary Clinton has revealed her true thoughts. That was her true thoughts,” he said. “She revealed herself to be a person who looks down on the proud citizens of our country as subjects for her rule. She views it as her rule. ”

“Trump argued that a person should not run for president if he or she has “contempt in your heart for the American voter.”

“Hillary Clinton still hasn’t apologized to those she slanders,” Trump said. “In fact, she hasn’t backed down at all. She’s doubled down on her campaign conspiracy and contempt. If Hillary Clinton will not retract her comments in full, I don’t see how she can credibly campaign any further.”

“Trump said Clinton’s comments were the “most explicit attack on the American voter” from a major party presidential nominee.”

Of course, the supporters of each respective candidate will stand tall and firm by their woman or man, whether or not  you believe what they have said or will say.  Unfortunately, the worse may be yet to come.

I long for the days where ethics and/or taking full responsibility for what you’ve said  or done actually meant something.  It would be great to see everyone bring  them back.  It won’t make one look week or uncaring.  Just  human.

I leave you with the words of Albert Schweitzer:  “Ethics, too, are nothing but reverence for life. This is what gives me the fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, promoting, and enhancing life, and that destroying, injuring, and limiting life are evil.”

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

Photo politico

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The  numbers:  They’re disgraceful.

The sources: The Broward Supervisor of Elections www.browardsoe.gov

Miami-Dade: http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/FL/Dade/63175/174997/en/summary.html

The culprit:  People who chose not to vote. 

Broward:  (Website last updated at: 08/31/2016 9:43:58 am)

Registered Voters:

1,135,846

Ballots Cast:

187,640

Voter Turnout:

16.52%

Miami-Dade:  (Website last updated 8/31/2016 12:16:19 AM EDT)

Registered Voters:     

 1,307,473

Ballots Cast:  

267,678

Voter Turnout:

20.47 %

For Broward:  There was early voting.  Granted, it was one week instead of two, but from August  20th at 10:00 a.m. to August 28th, 7:00 p.m., polls were open.  There is what’s now called Vote By Mail, formerly Absentee ballot.  I got mine over a month ago.  Lastly we had Primary day, which was August  30th, 7:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

I have talked with quite a few people in person and on social media, since the August 30th primary elections.  Aside from myself, there are quite a number of dumbfounded persons who don’t understand why people don’t vote. Some were quite colorful, even possible solutions.  Some of those  comments:

“Lazy @#& fools that were afraid to get wet….I went out in the POUR @%#& RAIN to VOTE!!! Then they want to cry the blues when $h#t doesn’t go their way!!! GO LIVE IN A DICTATORSHIP COUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN NEVER VOTE YOU #)!*$ !!!”

“What a disgrace! I just don’t understand… Please explain.”

“This always shocks me, I’m lost for words. Very sad.”

“So pathetic. You can’t have a democracy work with a bunch of non-voters.”

“I bet if the penalty was no social media for 6 months there would be 100 percent”

“People complain about our politicians but don’t bother to vote … they should just shut up.”

“I know this sounds radical, but I do support a Constitutional duty to vote. We may need to add a column to every race that says “neither” but I think if you want to be a citizen in good standing, barring some good reason, you should vote in every election. For me, that is the bare minimum we should expect from any citizen.”

In my eyes, a primary is just as important  as a “big” election.  I see it geared more to our state & local issues/persons:  Governors, Senators, Mayors, Commissioners, Counsel persons, judges, school board officials, etc.  What in God’s name is so unimportant people don’t feel it’s necessary to vote?  Do people think  Florida is in such a state of grandeur  that some don’t care who gets elected?  Lord, I hope not!

But looking at the numbers, they don’t seem to care.   Why do people feel it is something that makes no difference?   I have yet to get an answer what makes believe it doesn’t matter about the ones that make some very important decisions on their behalf, possibly about them, definitely about their life.

This lack of exercising a necessary privilege and civic duty has to stop!  This is 2016 when so many people are fighting for basic human and civil rights.  I wonder how non-voters  would feel about losing their right to vote.  That awaits the  $64,000,000 answer.

People don’t realize not voting is tantamount to electing many of the wrong people.  Many  of today’s issues already prove that.  I have hopes the November numbers will  be a vast improvement.

And for those of you who will continue to not vote, there is JUST NO EXCUSE. Shame on you!

I leave you with the words of President Abraham Lincoln:  “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

Photo sun-sentinel

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When this article goes to print, it will have been 74 days or 10 weeks since the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting.  There are people who will forever live with the pain of a loved one who is no longer alive.  The pain of seeing friends and neighbors gunned down.  The pain of dealing every day facing a community to help them cope, while you yourself have seen the worst of what life could put in front of you.  No matter who you talk to about it or how often, it doesn’t go away.  It’s something people will live with for the rest of their lives.

Why do I bring this up again?  In the face of tragedy, people step forward in many ways.  Some do it because they feel it’s the right thing to do.  Some do it to feel good.   Sadly, some do it to look good.  When the tragedy quiets down, so do some good intentions.  Since June 13th, a group of people have been relentless about reminding people Love Always Wins.  At the first “rally,” there were over 100 people present–some say as many as 150–to show their love for and stand in solidarity with Orlando.  Here we are, some ten weeks later and the group has been averaging 20 persons.

I realize the majority of us have jobs, have full plates, and find “me time” very important.    But where has everyone gone?  No matter, as long as people show up, the rally will too.

Speaking of finding time –

Early voting began this past Saturday, August 20th at 10:00 a.m. and ends this coming Sunday, August 28th at 7:00 p.m.  for the Florida primary. Voting day is Tuesday, August 30th.  Then Tuesday, November 8th is General Election & Municipal Elections. 

These statistics are from the Broward Supervisor of Elections website (http://www.browardsoe.org) from the 2016 Presidential Preference Primary as of 03/25/2016 5:30:54 pm:

Registered Voters:  824,135  /  Ballots Cast:  298,664  /  Voter Turnout:  36.24%

36.24%?  Really?  What goes through people’s minds to keep them from voting?

Zencollegelife.com lists “The 7 Reasons Most Americans Don’t Vote”:

1. They think their vote won’t count
2. Too busy
3. Registration requirements
4. Apathy
5. Lines are too long
6. Don’t like the candidates
7. Can’t get to the polls

To me, voting  is  a right, a privilege AND a responsibility.  Every person who doesn’t feel the same way and doesn’t vote should be ashamed.  No matter how one feels about the process, no matter what the results are of any election, we as U.S. citizens are allowed to have our voices heard.  Passing up the opportunity to cast a vote is beyond comprehension of many.  Why does it appear that some of the biggest complainers and hard-core whiners are the ones who don’t vote?

According to The NSW Electoral Commission in Australia, there are consequences for not voting (in part) [ https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/voting/penalties_for_not_voting ]

“Penalties for not Voting: The penalty for failing to vote at a State election or Local Government election is $55.00. Penalty payments are remitted to the NSW Treasury and not retained by the NSW Electoral Commission.”

Are penalties what it would take for people to get to the polls here in the US?  Personally, I’d like to see some penalty for not voting in a Federal election.  I’m just that serious when it comes to casting a ballot.  Unless you’re near death’s door, or have some unfortunate crisis that prohibits  you from absentee voting or will take you past the length of early voting days or the main day to vote, THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO VOTE.

I look forward to seeing the Broward County primary numbers by the time my next column comes out.  Will it beat 36.24%?  Lord, I hope so.

As I get older, I get more frustrated at those who seem to always want to leave it up to others to fight a cause, elect the people who make decisions in our lives or doing things for others.  The days of the “It’s not my job” outlook on things needs to become the past.  Times have changed and so must we.

I leave you with the words of Paddy Ashdown:  “It’s not my job to be popular. I’m goal-driven; my job is to get results.” 

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

The post Not My Job appeared first on Florida Agenda - LGBT News.

The Republican National Convention has come and gone.  The Democratic National Convention has come and gone as well.

The polls tell which candidate is ahead, however, I believe the polls only reflect the group that was targeted and no more.  I feel the poll takers for the Clinton/Kaine or Trump/Pence teams will go to the areas they know the numbers will be to their advantage.

We continue to hear  the nasty comments come more from one side than the other, but that is to be expected.  What isn’t expected in my opinion, are the words people have chosen to call one candidate over another.  The beginning of the alphabet has started many words recently; A, B, C and on, even down to W (use your imagination) to describe Hillary.  I haven’t seen too many of the alphabet used for Donald.  I’m not prude,  and I’m certainly  someone who isn’t without tarnish on my halo.  However, there are some things you just don’t put in print.  It seems social media has no limits.

The Presidential debates have been scheduled as follows:

Monday, September 26, 2016: First presidential debate, Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Tuesday, October 4, 2016:  Vice presidential debate, Location: Longwood University, Farmville, VA

Sunday, October 9, 2016:  Second presidential debate, Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 

Wednesday, October 19, 2016:  Third presidential debate, Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Whereas  I  didn’t watch all of the respective conventions, I do plan on watching all the debates – if they’ll happen.  That’s what I said, “If.”  On July 31, 2016, money.cnn.com’s  headline was “Donald Trump and RNC attack presidential debate schedule.”  It seems  DJT and the GOP are upset NFL games are scheduled on some of the same nights as debates.  According  to the article “That’s true. (It was also true in 2012, and the debates were still high-rated.)”

Trump has been unstable in endorsing people from his own party.  One week he’s talking down about John McCain and Paul Ryan.  When that made news, next thing you know, he’s endorsing them.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m far from saying Hillary is without her share of controversy.  It always comes back to honesty and trustworthiness.  Yes, they’re important issues against her.  But in looking over several polls as of Sunday, Hillary Clinton is leading Donald Trump anywhere from 4 to 15 points.  Again, as I stated earlier, it depends on who is taking the poll and where.

What are some issues that we  can compare side-by-side?  I obtained the following information from: http://presidential-candidates.insidegov.com/compare/40-70/Hillary-Clinton-vs-Donald-Trump:

Hillary:

Abortion is a woman’s unrestricted right:  Strongly Agrees

Legally require hiring women & minorities:  Strongly Agrees

Comfortable with same-sex marriage:  Strongly Agrees

Keep God in the public sphere:  Agrees

EPA regulations are too restrictive:  Strongly Disagrees

Make voter registration easier:  Strongly Agrees

Donald:

Abortion is a woman’s unrestricted right:  Disagrees

Legally require hiring women & minorities:  Neutral/No opinion

Comfortable with same-sex marriage:  Disagrees

Keep God in the public sphere:  Strongly Agrees

EPA regulations are too restrictive:  Strongly Agrees

Make voter registration easier:  Agrees

They’re just a glimpse at the future  we could possibly have.

Locally, many of us have continued a peaceful gathering of “Love Always Wins” each Monday evening at the famous northeast corner of Oakland Park Boulevard and Federal Highway.  The gathering was started just after the mass shootings at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando by three community  people:  Derek Maingot, Tom Runyan, D.J.Michael Tank.  It continues to be an amazing experience for all participants.

This weekend, there were a group of Trump supporters in the spot, and interestingly, one of them was carrying a rainbow flag.  It makes you wonder if these people are jumping on the “Love Always Wins” bandwagon by making people walking and driving by think the Monday night group are Trump supporters.  I truly hope not, especially when one of the Saturday signs was very anti-Hillary, using  a few of the letters I described above (B&W).

It all goes back to educating ourselves and others, knowing the respective candidates as  best as possible.  There are many LGBT people who are for Donald and Mike.  They feel they’ll be better for the USA.  Sorry, I don’t feel that way.  Setting us back decades and wanting my life being discounted or having basic equal rights taken away has ZERO economical value to me.  The next President will also put new Supreme Court Justices in place.  Think about that too.  Your actions on 11/8/2016 can have a major impact on many lives, and perhaps not in a good way.

I leave you with the words of Melchor Lim:   “Every day brings new lessons and new possibilities. There is always a way to take the next step forward on the path you’ve chosen. Events may be terrible and inescapable at times, but you always have choice: if not when, then how, you may endure and proceed onward.”

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

Photo: CNN.com

The post Now What? appeared first on Florida Agenda - LGBT News.

I ALONE:

We got a big taste of what the Republican party is about at the RNC.  A wide variety of speakers took the podium.  We heard Happy Day‘s Scott “Chaci” Baio’s very lackluster speech.  Gov. Rick Scott and AG Pam Bondi, who IMHO, did their typical pandering.  The RNC even had a gay man speak.  Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal.  In his speech, he told attendees (in part) “proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all, I am proud to be an American.”

While it was considered by some historic to see or hear an LGBT person speak at the RNC, especially after their very anti-gay platform was revealed, I have to question:  Why this man?  He certainly doesn’t represent the average LGBT person.  Is it because he is very wealthy?  Why didn’t the RNC seek out someone from “the community” living the everyday life, actually living in the real world of trouble and disdain for who they are?

The RNC all but spit in the face of the Log Cabin Republicans, who have sung the praises of the Republican party for as long as I can remember.  It’s no secret how I and many feel about the LCR.  We just don’t understand how anyone could ever support people who would rather see you disappear than stand by your side.  But to each his or her own.  I do hope this was a wakeup call to the LCR’s and they see their party as many others do and find some other way to support change in America with people who will include them as LGBT.

If there was a shock moment in the convention, it had to be former presidential candidate Ted Cruz.  While Ted is one person I have not anything favorable to say about, I will applaud him for not pandering to Trump by endorsing him.  The mudslinging sure flew at him as soon as he left the stage.  Media jumped on it in seconds and it was a big topic for a few days.

A surprise, but not a shock:  Trump’s choice for VP, Mike Pence.  Donald, if this is how you show the LGBTQI communities that you’re their friend, I can only imagine who your choice would be if you disliked us!

And then there is the man himself, Donald J. Trump.  I was hardly surprised at his attacks on President Obama and Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.  I don’t think anyone else was either.  I’m not even going to go into that normal diatribe.  You can’t expect anything less.  What was interesting was during Trump’s speech, the words “I alone can fix it.”  The Atlantic.com  (July 21,  2016) didn’t waste time at all talking about this in an article of the same title.  In a nutshell, I hear this as Trump saying that he will do whatever he wants and nobody is going to stop him.  I found this quite interesting considering his very party has stopped President Obama doing many things just about since day one.  It was their goal to stifle President Obama on any and everything, and will continue to be status quo until his last day in office.

“I Alone” certainly doesn’t  ]sound like “Make America Great Again,” and that’s scary.

STRENGTH TOGETHER:

This past Saturday, my friend Shane invited me to attend the Clinton/Kaine rally at FIU in Miami.  I accepted because it would be my first time at such an event.  More importantly, I knew very little about Tim Kaine, and it was important for me to find out as much as I could, especially after looking  him up on Wikipedia after being announced as the selected running mate for Hillary Clinton.  Sometimes you have to see a person right in front of you to see what your gut reaction is.

I was amazed at not only the energy, but the amount of younger adults in attendance.  Maybe it had to do with the rally being held on FIU’s campus, but still, a great sight to behold.

While I was very excited to both see and hear Hillary in person for the first time ever, I pretty much felt I knew her. I wanted to hear from the stranger, Tim Kaine.

He took to the podium and seemed to have won everyone over almost immediately.  Big smile, a personality to the point you would want Tim to be your friend, and hang out  and talk, laugh.  He was far from a stiff speaking politician.  Tim worked the crowd and spoke to everyone as if he was addressing them one on one.  Very personal, very as a matter of fact, and very to the point.  I was blown away at his background.  But what I believe won everyone over the most was the fact his very human side came out while  he  was talking about the worst day in his life–the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings.  He literally stopped to regain his composure.  Now, some will see that as weak.  I see it as a real person who isn’t afraid to be himself.

“Strength Together.” As a team, I saw that on Saturday.

For those of you who may question, I am registered NPA, especially after being disenchanted with both parties for some time.  I do have hopes both mainstream parties will one day come back to what they once were.  Do your homework, get to know your candidates AND VOTE!

I leave you with this quote from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine:  “Do you want to be right or do right?”

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

photo:  cnn.com

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The date: Sunday, June 19, 2016.  The place:  Wilton Drive.

A street adorned with rainbow flags.  Windows of many shops had rainbow ribbons that said “Love Wins!  We Stand With Orlando” or similar signs and phrases.  We were proud to be LGBTQI, we were proud to let Orlando know they were in our minds and hearts.

Within a few days of the festival, there were few, if any, rainbow flags to be seen.  Many of the Orlando signs were gone as well. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.  I’ve had quite a few people comment to me regarding the void of rainbow.  One even asked if the city is truly LGBTQI more than one or two days a year.  “We’re supposed to be the ‘gay mecca.’ Other than a rainbow flag or two, how would you know?”  The streets were filled with them a few short week ago.  The same thing coming together remembering the lives taken at Pulse Nightclub.  Aside from the Monday night peaceful protests on Oakland and Federal, Orlando seems to have quieted down here.  There’s one rainbow flag across from Wilton Manors City Hall.  Yes, it was momentous for many to get it there, but if you aren’t from or familiar with the area, what really stands out to let you know the LGBTQI are really welcome?

In my hometown of Chicago, it’s clear.  Those of you who are from or have been there, you know what I mean.  Since 1998, Halsted Street in the “Boystown” area of Chicago has 20-foot bronze pylons with rainbow rings adorning the street.

The date:  7/5/16:  Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge was killed by police.

The date:  7/6/16:  Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, was killed by police.

The date:  7/7/16:  Five police officers in Dallas, Texas:  Officers Brent Thompson, Michael Krol, Patrick Zamarripa, Sgt. Michael Smith and Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens were gunned down by a sniper.

As it does in times of crisis, the nation has come forward to show its solidarity on both sides of the spectrum.  Two men whose lives were taken within hours by just being who they are.  And, then, just hours after the last shooting,  five lives whose lives were taken by just being who they are.

People have protested and marched to speak out against racism which reminds us it is very much alive.  The color of their skin caused them their lives.

So, what do these two very different items have to do with one another?  Easy.

There are those who jump on the bandwagon.  For a short period of time, they get caught up in the hype of the moment, whether it be for a one or two day pride event, or the showing of solidarity when there is an injustice of some kind.

There are those who are the real deal; those who won’t stop because the events have.  They are the people who continue to hang their rainbow flags or signs every day, long after June ended.  They are the people who continue fighting causes to end hate and bigotry, the killings of another because of their skin color, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation long after the press has taken a story from page 1, then put it way back on page 50, and then eventually nonexistent.  They’re the ones who continue to fight no matter what.

Our world is forever changing.  We can’t afford to jump on a bandwagon for a short period of time.  Nobody listens.  However, we need and must become the real deal; not for today; not for tomorrow, but for always.

If the people of yesterday only jumped on the bandwagon, we wouldn’t have come this far.  Eric Betzig says it best: “The real deal is always going to win in the end.”

** Columnist note:  A year ago, I was asked if I would write a monthly opinion in the Florida Agenda by Peter Jackson, then newly named president and group executive publisher.  Twelve months later, I am privileged to be able to contribute a bi-weekly column.  I want to not only thank Peter, but a big thank you to Bobby Blair, Richard Hack and Maura Lane for allowing me to continue to say what I want, without stipulation, always with their support and confidence in me .  Not everyone who doesn’t have a background in journalism is given this opportunity.  I am truly grateful! **

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

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Their names:

Stanley Almodovar III, Amanda Alvear, Oscar A Aracena-Montero,

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, Antonio Davon Brown, Darryl Roman Burt II, Angel L. Candelario-Padro, Juan Chevez-Martinez, Luis Daniel Conde, Cory James Connell, Tevin Eugene Crosby, Deonka Deidra Drayton, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Mercedez Marisol Flores, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Juan Ramon Guerrero,

Paul Terrell Henry, Frank Hernandez, Miguel Angel Honorato, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Anthony Luis Laureanodisla,

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Kimberly Morris, Akyra Monet Murray, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Joel Rayon Paniagua, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Enrique L. Rios, Jr., Jean C. Nives Rodriguez,

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, Edward Sotomayor Jr., Shane Evan Tomlinson, Martin Benitez Torres,

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Luis S. Vielma, Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon and Jerald Arthur Wright.

They’re the 49 innocent human  beings whose lives  were taken, and an additional 53 human beings were injured at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.

Where many knew one or more of the 49 in one way or another, many of us did not.  However, that hasn’t stopped so many from reaching out; financially, emotionally – any way we can to show we care.  Hash tags such as #onepulse  #orlandostrong #prayforpulse #prayfororlando were created.  We’ve held (and still have) services, vigils,  rallies, wore/wear various ribbons, even changed our online photos to show each of  them we care.  The reality check:  One of the 49 or 53 could have been one of us.

Once again and no surprise, people of all backgrounds unite in the face of tragedy.  At the time I sent this article to print, a main Go Fund Me account had raised $6,213,685 of a $7,000,000 goal by 115,306 people in 13 days.

Here in Ft. Lauderdale, attorney Tom Runyan initiated a  Facebook page “Love Always Wins“, and has spearheaded peaceful gatherings at the corner of Federal Highway at Oakland Park Boulevard.  The turnout of participants has been remarkable, as has been the community support.  It is amazing to stand out there, signs in hand, and hear the horns honk, see & hear the cameras click along with the waves, smiles and shouts  of praise.  Not just from passers-by in cars or on foot who are LGBTQI persons, but  ALL persons!   It’s truly inspirational.   The gatherings will continue over the  next few weeks.  Check out  the Facebook page for more details.

As always with the good, comes the not so good.

Pastors Kenneth Adkins in Brunswick, Georgia, Pastor Steven Anderson in Phoenix, Arizona and Pastor Roger Jimenez in Sacramento, California, all received media attention by their hate speeches (putting it mildly) praising the killings.  Karma worked quickly for Jimenez as his landlord refused to renew his lease.

Of course, let us not leave out those campaigning.  It has been reported by patheos.com, that on June 21, 2016, presidential Candidate Donald Trump was meeting with some of the most (in my honest opinion) hateful, vile troublemakers around.    “The meeting will bring together people like Tony Perkins, James Dobson, E.W. Jackson, Pat Robertson, and a host of other Christians known to readers of this site for their anti-LGBT, anti-women, anti-everything-that-is-good-and-decent rhetoric.”  Additionally, Donald said he would seek to overturn the same gender marriage ruling.   Yes, just a few days ago on June 13th, 2016, cnn.com’s headline was  ” Donald Trump to LGBT community: I’m a ‘real friend’ ” Really, Donald?  With friends like you……..

Is there any lesson?  I believe so.

As we approach the 240th anniversary of America on July 4th, we must remember important words in the Declaration of Independence: “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

It doesn’t say for one.  It is for ALL.  Each of us is responsible to make sure this happens.  The life of a LGBTQI person is not usually an easy one.

WE MUST all take responsibility for our tomorrow.

WE MUST not forget it is and will continue being a lifelong (at least in my lifetime) battle.

WE MUST all fight the fight.  No one or two groups or people can do it alone.

WE MUST not take anything for granted.  It’s time for everyone to be involved.

WE MUST honor those whose lives were taken to get us where we are today.

WE MUST!

Many of us are doing our part.  What is yours?

I leave you with the words of Anil Sinha:  “Make your past a learning lesson, make your present purposeful, and prevent your future becoming a constant battle.”

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

Photo Credit: examiner.com

The post Lesson Learned: WE MUST appeared first on Florida Agenda - LGBT News.

First and foremost, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the early Sunday morning horrific mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub, their families, many friends and all the people of Orlando.  Before you read further, I ask you please take (another) moment and remember each of (at the time I am writing  this article) 50 human beings whose lives were taken, the 53 who suffered injuries, their loved ones; family, friends and all who mourn.

Because of Orlando, my thoughts this week will center around each of us.

In just under two weeks, it will be the 47th anniversary of Stonewall.

What is Stonewall?  Yes, this sounds like a foolish question, but if you were to ask many of today’s younger generation, they may not be able to answer a most basic question about it – the date:  June  28th, 1969.  To be quite frank, I don’t know if there aren’t any adults who may even know the year.  Here is a little background from History.com.  They can put it in words far better than I.

“Just after 3 a.m., a police raid of the Stonewall Inn–a gay club located on New York City’s Christopher Street–turns violent as patrons and local sympathizers begin rioting against the police.

Although the police were legally justified in raiding the club, which was serving liquor without a license among other violations, New York’s gay community had grown weary of the police department targeting gay clubs, a majority of which had already been closed. The crowd on the street watched quietly as Stonewall’s employees were arrested, but when three drag queens and a lesbian were forced into the paddy wagon, the crowd began throwing bottles at the police. The officers were forced to take shelter inside the establishment, and two policemen were slightly injured before reinforcements arrived to disperse the mob. The protest, however, spilled over into the neighboring streets, and order was not restored until the deployment of New York’s riot police.

The so-called Stonewall Riot was followed by several days of demonstrations in New York and was the impetus for the formation of the Gay Liberation Front as well as other gay, lesbian, and bisexual civil rights organizations. It is also regarded by many as history’s first major protest on behalf of equal rights for homosexuals.”

So, there it is, how it all began.  Decades forward, it’s June, 2016.   The changes we have see over the  years.  In 1978, a domestic partnership  ordinance passed in Broward County.  In 2005, Massachusetts was the first US state to legalize same-gender marriage.  In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled states cannot band same-gender marriage and it became the “law of the land” in the United States.  In some places, we can freely walk hand-in-hand with the special person in our life.  Transgender persons are most recently in the forefront.   There have been several historic moments, but our lives are far from simple and far from accepted by all.  Aside from the mass shooting, on Sunday, that evening I was reading my Facebook wall and found  a website THOUGHTCATALOG.COM, and an article written by Jacob Geers.  It was chock full of Twitter posts from a variety of anti-gay people praising the shootings.  I was dumbfounded.  But, it spoke volumes and put what seems to be our never-ending fight in true reality.

This past Saturday, I had an interesting conversation with a friend of many years.  We were talking  about  society, both in and out of the LGBT community.  Conversation was about  the shooting of 27 year old singer Christina Grimmie and other things in the general topic.

The he  came right out and asked me with a very serious look in his face:  “Are you  scared that one day someone might….” and I cut him off finishing “Take my life for who I am?   No.  Absolutely not.”

Our discussion continued about me being gay and in ministry, which isn’t something everyone likes  or even feels is possible.  We went on talking these very bi-weekly columns I write and my opinions.

I further went on to say I am who I am.  I am not a person who has ever really been shy about my views or opinions and it gets stronger as I do older.  I refuse to be stifled.  To me, doing so is giving in, and that I don’t do easily.  People may not like what I have to say, but I try my best to do it in a way that isn’t nasty.  In some instances I hope it educates some and makes a light go off in the heads  of others.

It breaks my heart to receive phone calls from people in their 60’s & 70’s telling me their wife or husband just died, that they have  been  living a different  life all these years and  they feel lost; they don’t know how to move forward living the life they were meant to live.  It breaks my heart that persons my age or younger still have to hide who they are because  of fear what may happen if they  come out.  Not having grown up with that fear or environment, I just shake my head in 2016 it is still an issue.

As we near the anniversary of Stonewall and our individual Pride events, remember this:   We all have to move forward, even in the most difficult of times.  Live your life, love who you are, and be sure to  Celebrate the Pride in yourself every day.

I leave you with the words of Johann von Goethe:  “If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise.”

 Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

The post PRIDE In Yourself appeared first on Florida Agenda - LGBT News.

The one thing about social media is it isn’t always social.  All one has to do is post a comment or an article that someone disagrees with and you’d think it was the 4th of July the way what I’ll call “firewords” show up–and a lot.  It happens almost, if not daily and without fail, and in every election year.  What some see as their passion actually draws disrespect toward others.

Each of us has a soap box we stand on when it comes to the cause(s) that are near and dear to our heart(s), whether it be from our community involvement or candidates running for office, both local and not.

Many times (not all), discussions become very heated and sometimes downright indignant.  It is one thing to have a strong opinion and voice what you believe in, but when you start calling someone else (especially those who are supposedly “friends”) truly nasty or vile names or wishing death on another, it makes you step back and re-think the actual relationship (if there is one) with that person.  Words like dumb and ignorant come to mind too, but I guess that becomes petty and thin-skinned.

Face to face conversations/debate is usually a good thing to happen when possible, because you’re right there looking at one another.

However, having a debate over social media is a whole different ballgame altogether.  You can’t hear a tone, you can’t see body language, or any human action for that matter.  Instead, you read words, which many times are taken out of context, because we all have a tendency to read something which may have a different intent than was to be portrayed.  And there are other times when what you read is what the person meant.  Eventually, you’ll find out which.

There are also those who get upset if you don’t see eye-to-eye when talking about candidates, especially within your own party and no matter what the comment.  You dared to oppose.

A little over two months ago, I posted on Facebook my feelings about the endorsement of a particular person.  The person is considered an ally.  It’s great when a person is there to support the LGBT community, but that doesn’t mean other parts of that person don’t exist.  It shouldn’t mean that person is can only be seen in a favorable light; nor does it mean any negative things about the person should be overlooked.  Good Lord, you would have thought I was asking for the person be executed the way I was jumped on by one of their supporters.

Looking at myself, there are people who value my opinion and consider my words worthy.  But that doesn’t negate that there are others who don’t, and I’m fine with that.  When you’re in the public eye, it goes with the territory.  That’s life and we can’t please everyone.  However, I’m not going to chastise someone because we’re not on the same page.  That’s why it’s called an opinion, and each of us are entitled to our own.

Now that people are feverishly discussing Bernie, Donald and Hillary (let me clarify I put the names alphabeticall–not any other reason), people are getting even more hyped and calling others out like there will be no tomorrow and many comments are far from standard dislike.  The next few months will be far from pretty.

What happened to the old phrase agree to disagree?

IT IS OKAY to think unlike someone else. IT IS OKAY not to see eye to eye.  IT IS OKAY to not like the same thing someone else does.  IT IS OKAY to be different.   IT IS OKAY to disagree.

IT ISN’T OKAY to discount someone because they aren’t you.

I leave you with the words of Bernice Johnson Reagon: “There is nowhere you can go and only be with people who are like you. Give it up.”

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

The post A Bad Discount appeared first on Florida Agenda - LGBT News.

It’s no surprise in an election year that the “anti” behavior grows stronger.

On May 13, 2016, the Pink News headlines: “Pastor Anne Graham: God let 9/11 happen because of transgender people in bathrooms.”  She further says (in part) during a phone interview “…if we would repent of our sins and stop pointing our finger at everybody else…”  Really, Pastor  Anne?  What happened to practicing what you preach?

Sadly, Pastor Anne is not alone.

On May 9, 2016, North Carolina’s Governor Pat McRory tweets “We’re taking the Obama admin to court. They’re bypassing Congress, attempting to rewrite law & policies for the whole country, not just NC.”

This came not too long after it was reported (This by CBS.com / in part) “Officials in North Carolina filed a lawsuit Monday against the Department of Justice over the feds’ demand that the state not implement its controversial LGBT law or risk losing federal funds.”  This due to HB2 (House Bill 2).  The bill can be found  on  http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015E2/Bills/House/PDF/H2v4.pdf

But wait!  There’s yet another.

On April 20, 2016, The American Family Association (www.afa.net) called for a boycott against Target.  Why?  From the AFA website (in part): “On its web site, Target announced, “[W]e welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity. …Everyone deserves to feel like they belong.”

“This means a man can simply say he “feels like a woman today” and enter the women’s restroom…even if young girls or women are already in there. Target’s policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims. And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women’s bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?

Clearly, Target’s dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. Over 1 million people agree with us and pledged to boycott Target stores until protecting women and children is a priority.”

Fortunately, those I call “the powers that be” are there to fight for the transgendered and others discriminated:

On May 10, 2016, CNN.com reports (in part) “Attorney General Loretta Lynch, announcing the U.S. legal action to reporters on Monday, cast the bathroom bill issue as the latest civil rights struggle of the era.

“It was not so very long ago that states, including North Carolina, had other signs above restrooms, water fountains, and on public accommodations, keeping people out based on a distinction without a difference. We’ve moved beyond those dark days,” Lynch said.”

It’s great that we (currently) have such people to stand strong against discrimination.  We also have to ensure that doesn’t change – or at least do what we can to make sure the right persons are representing us.

But it is and always will be a never ending battle.  WE have to assist in this battle, and it has to begin with each of us.  It’s certainly not the first time I’ve said it.

We will forever be different within our own.  Short, tall.  Thin, heavy.  Brown, black or blonde hair. Even no hair at all!   Different religions.  Different styles.  Different financial means.  Different everything.  We have different communities within “our” community:  bears, leather, runners, walkers, singers, dancers, fem, butch, those who live at the gym, those who don’t.  Bar people and those who stay at home.  Those who are older and those younger.  Those who like to go out with people nowhere near their own age.  The list could go on and on.

Yes, we’re a melting pot of diversity.  With that also comes a responsibility of educating the uneducated and standing up when the names and hatred start slinging back and forth, especially from us.  Belittling someone because they’re not your type or someone who whom you have no interest in being friends doesn’t help the matter.  We ALL have to be conscious how we treat one another, no matter who they are.  We don’t have a choice.

At the end of the day, there is one commonality among each of us: We all bleed red.

I  leave you with the words of Barbara Deming: “The longer we listen to one another – with real attention – the more commonality we will find in all our lives. That is, if we are careful to exchange with one another life stories and not simply opinions.”

Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter.

The post We All Bleed Red appeared first on Florida Agenda - LGBT News.