Florida Agenda

By MICHAEL D’OLIVEIRA

Dean Trantalis isn’t running in the Fort Lauderdale Commission race solely to represent the LGBT community, but he is running, in part, to give it representation on the commission.

Trantalis, who served as a Fort Lauderdale commissioner from 2003 to 2006 and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2009, is trying to get back on the dais, as a candidate for the District 2 commission seat. The seat was vacated by Charlotte Rodstrom, effective November 19, after she unsuccessfully ran for Broward County’s District 7 seat; coming in third against the winner, Tim Ryan, and former county commissioner Ken Keechl.

“I’m not going to run into city hall with a rainbow flag and yell, ‘gay, gay, gay,’ [but] I think it’s important to have a gay voice [on the commission],” said Trantalis, who added that with a gay commissioner, the LGBT community will be elevated beyond interest group status. “It’s a high profile position in the city the [LGBT community] can’t afford to ignore.”

Specifically, Trantalis—who serves on the Agenda Media Advisory Board—wants to add sexual orientation to the list of statuses protected under the City of Fort Lauderdale’s hiring practices.

Currently the city’s official policy is it can’t fire or decline to hire an employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or handicapping condition.

“The city does not practice [LGBT] discrimination,” Trantalis clarifies. “However, we still need to codify it before a non-gay friendly [commission may get elected].”

But the rest of Trantalis’ concerns involve every resident of Fort Lauderdale. One big issue is police and fire pensions and compensation.

Trantalis wants to reduce fire and police pensions and grant future raises based on the city’s fiscal ability, saying the city needs to shift its attention to creating safer, cleaner neighborhoods.

He’s also against borrowing money to shore up those pensions. In September, the commission voted to borrow $340 million and invest it in the hope that the returns would help pay for unfunded pension costs. Rodstrom and Commissioner Bobby DuBose voted against the measure.

Trantalis also wants to stop allowing police officers to take home their vehicles, a practice which increases the amount of money taxpayers spend on fuel. “That has to stop,” he said.

But before he can work on his agenda, Trantalis must defeat Chuck Black, Robert Walsh and Rodstrom herself, who was overwhelmingly re-elected in February with 78 percent of the vote. In 2009, she won her first term with the support of 53 percent of voters against two challengers. And more candidates could pop up by the qualifying deadline of this Friday, December 7.

The special election will be held January 15. If no candidate gets at least 51 percent, another election will be held March 12 between the top two vote-getters. The winner would serve the rest of the unexpired three-year term until 2015.

Trantalis says this time Rodstrom has tougher competition, and senses that many voters who supported her in the past are ready for someone new. In the battle for campaign dollars, finance reports show Rodstrom has raised the most so far with $11,100. Trantalis is in second with $7,725, and Black has $2,700. Walsh has yet to file a finance report.

By CLIFF DUNN

On Monday, December 17, Barack Obama will be officially elected President of the United States (I hope), when the Electoral College meets to approve the popular ballot results of the voters “in their several states.”

In the decades since I first came to understand the import of the Electors and their role in preserving the mandate of both the majority and the wishes of the minority, I came to realize how relevant it remains (despite centuries of criticism), as well as how much it is a pillar of a system that—eventually—will provide full rights for all American citizens.

I’m going to endeavor to render a non-sleep-making primer on the history and purpose of the Electoral College (a sort of “Schoolhouse Rock” for the Reality-TV Generation).

In 1787, an influential group of the Founders pushed through a plan whereby a body of “electors” apportioned among the states (in the same numbers as their congressional representatives—under a formula that resulted in, among other things, the vile Three-fifths compromise of counting “portions” of slaves for congressional representation), chosen by each state “in such manner as its Legislature may direct,” would select the President.

In addition to the slave-holding states, the Electoral College was popular with the smaller states, rising out of their concerns that large population states (think modern California, New York, Texas, and Florida) would determine the results of Presidential elections.

In the context of 21^st Century Presidential politics, the Electoral College is often seen as an anachronistic, undemocratic means of choosing a Chief Executive (since it is the electors who actually do the electing of the President, rather than the people)—one that should be replaced through popular vote choice of the winner. I beg to disagree.

The state parties choose a slate of electors they trust will vote for the party’s nominee. Almost every state awards its electoral votes to the state’s popular vote winner. The formula for each state’s electors is based on two senators and two Electoral College votes for each state, with additional electoral votes for each state based on population.

Based on this formula, it’s possible—as happened in 2000, when Bush had fewer popular votes than Gore, but more electoral votes—that the winner of the popular vote does not win the electoral vote. But this is a rarity in American politics; before 2000, that balance was last disturbed in 1888.

Despite the hyperbole of both major parties, “landslide” is a word that isn’t often heard with respect to American Presidential elections, in which most races are closely decided.

An analysis of every Presidential election since 1980 (which saw the election of Ronald Reagan and what is likely the last major political realignment, prior to Obama’s re-election and the birth of what might be a Neo-Progressive Era (which includes state marriage equality wins, legalization of marijuana, and a cultural shift in attitudes towards immigration and immigrants) shows that in each of the last eight Presidential races, only one (1984) represented a “landslide” victory (as it is usually defined by a 10-point or greater margin of victory).

But back to the Electoral College and the reasons for its continued necessity in a modern context. Unlike the popular vote, which, as in 2000, can reflect a too-close-too-call outcome, the winning Presidential candidate’s share of Electoral College votes is larger than his share of the popular vote. (Example: Obama received 51.3 percent of the popular vote, but should receive 61.7 percent of the Electoral Vote on December 17.)

If the Electoral College were eliminated, any “close call” race would be a temptation to the loser to request a recount, creating the possibility of a Constitutional crisis, as nearly happened in 2000 over Florida’s disputed votes, with party lawyers going state-by-state and creating a climate of paralysis, conflict, and crisis (just imagine Florida 2000 by an exponential of 50-plus-the District of Columbia).

The existence of the Electoral College likewise requires that the presidential nominees to campaign across the country, rather than in large population areas. It means that—as was seen this year, again in Florida—the power of constituent groups campaigning like hell shifted the balance from “likely” Romney to “thankfully” Obama (sorry, Republicans).

It means that the huge local outpouring of pro-Obama support made an enormous difference, one that is reflected in Obama’s 29 electoral vote win from the Sunshine State.

Like it or not, the Electoral College means that Obama is every Americans’ president. Or at least, a boy can hope.

By JOE HARRIS

On Monday, U.S. Supreme Court put off deciding whether to get their feet wet in the murky waters of marriage equality. The justices could still plunge into the deep end this week, should they choose on Friday to take up one of the five cases that could decide the future of same-sex marriage—and therefore all marriages—in the U.S.

Last Friday, the high court met in private to consider whether or not they will review challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 federal law that prohibits federal benefits for gay married couples, as well as to Proposition 8, the California state law that bans same-sex marriage.

The court meets in weekly sessions to decide the cases they will add to their agenda. The justices vote in order of seniority, and it takes just four of the nine votes to add a case to the calendar (whereas it takes five votes for them to reach a majority decision).

As we reported last week (Florida Agenda, November 28, 2012, POLITICS: “Indecent Proposition—What the Supremes Could Decide to do about DOMA and California’s Marriage Ban”), on Monday, the justices released their “orders list,” which outlines their plans regarding cases before the court. The justices’ list made no mention of cases that relate to marriage equality. They did relist those cases for further consideration at their weekly conference on Friday. Experts say that the justices will often hold more complex cases until a future conference if they need more time to consider their next actions.

For practical purposes, this means that the high court might announce after its Friday conference whether it will review any of the marriage equality appeals: That announcement could come on Friday or Monday (if the justices don’t decide to defer action yet again).

Under DOMA, the federal government defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and only recognizes such marriages for purposes of federal benefits. It is that part of that law that gay men and women have challenged, citing its denial of equal protection under the U.S. Constitution.

The Supremes are also considering whether or not they will review a challenge to Proposition 8, which similarly defines marriage as does DOMA. In February, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Prop 8 to be unconstitutional, ruling that California could not take away a right (gay marriage) that it had previously allowed. But that appeals court decision was narrow, affecting only marriages in the Golden State (not the rest of the country).

Thirty-one states have passed constitutional amendments that ban same-sex marriages. Washington, D.C. and nine states have passed laws in favor of marriage equality—three of them last month. But even in the states where gay marriage is legal, DOMA prohibits those same-sex couples from qualifying for federal benefits.

Cruise Line Reverses Ban on Drag for Drag-Themed Sailing

By CLIFF DUNN

MIAMI — When the Carnival ship Glory set sail on Sunday, December 2, it did so with a full complement of drag-bedecked passengers, a sight that wasn’t by any means assured less than a week earlier, before the Miami-based cruise line backed away from its controversial decision last week prohibiting drag attire from being worn on a drag-themed cruise.

With stops scheduled in Nassau, St. John, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Turks and Caicos, the “Drag Stars at Sea” cruise will include performances by more than 30 drag performers—including Latrice Royale and Sharon Needles—from LOGO television’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

In an apologetic letter posted on the cruise line’s Facebook page to customers, Carnival CEO Gerry Cahill said that a miscommunication between cruise organizer Al and Chuck Travel and the cruise line resulted in an email that banned cross-dressing during the Glory sailing.

“Anyone who wishes to dress in drag may do so,” Cahill’s letter reads. The cruise line is also offering full refunds for passengers who want to cancel their trips “for any reason,” along with “reimbursement for any non-refundable travel related expenses.”

That tone stood in sharp contrast to the email sent last week by Vicky Ray, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Vice President of Guest Services, to Glory passengers, advising them that, “Arrangements have been made for drag performances in the main theater featuring stars from LOGO TV. These functions will be private and only the performers are permitted to dress in drag while in the theater. Guests are not allowed to dress in drag for the performances or in public areas at any time during the cruise [emphasis added].”

Ray added, “We’re sorry to say that any guest who violates our policies and/or whose behavior affects the comfort and enjoyment of other guests, will be disembarked at their own expense and no refund will be given.”

Standing by the cruise line, sailing organizer Al and Chuck Travel said the no-drag-policy was based upon terrorism concerns. “Carnival’s ‘no costumes rule’ is NOT meant to be an insult to the gay community,” the president of the agency, Al Ferguson, wrote on Al and Chuck Travel’s Facebook page. “It is in response to the post-9/11 world we live in. It is meant to protect passengers and guests – NOT to marginalize a few.”

(This explanation failed to account for the untold number of post-9/11 Halloween costume cruises the cruise line has sponsored in the decade since the September 11 terrorist attacks.)

Ferguson requested that gay passengers “use this opportunity to set an example so that all the world can see that the [LGBT] community can follow rules and regulations just like everyone else.”

On Al and Chuck’s Facebook page, one post reads, “And what about your comments telling the people on the cruise that we shoudl [sic] just bend over and take it? You guys made a big mistake. Instead of fighting for the right to be included, you did nothing but give excuses. Shame on you.”

“People are letting Carnival off easy. So they will allowed Drag this one time. That doesn’t change their policy,” another commented.

Another advised, “I recommend retracting your ‘Like’ for this business.”

By way of explanation, in his apology letter, Carnival CEO Cahill noted that the cruise line had no idea actual drag queens would be among the passengers for an advertised drag-cruise. “When the group was presented to us we were advised that only the performers would be dressed in drag during the private events,” Cahill wrote.

Realtor Calls for Fort Lauderdale Neighborhoods to Partake in the Spirit of Giving

FORT LAUDERDALE – The 13th Street Alliance (a coalition representing four neighborhoods—Poinsettia Heights, Lake Ridge, Middle River Terrace, and South Middle River—that border 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale) is sponsoring a holiday toy drive and gift-giving event, running through December 22, with two designated drop-off locations: The Christmas Palace (800 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale, with drop-off hours Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Re/Max Preferred (2810 E. Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 200, with drop-off hours Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 12-4 p.m.).

Greater Fort Lauderdale-based realtor Rick Gibson, who serves on the Board of the 13th Street Alliance, is making a donation to be used toward marketing support and food for the event, and has committed a personal gift of 25 toys.

“Re/Max Preferred has been kind enough to contribute to the toy event and provide an alternate site to drop off toys at our corporate office (2810 Bayview Dr., Suite 200, Coral Ridge),” said Gibson. “As part of my involvement in the 13th Street Alliance and other local non-profits, I have seen first-hand a desperate need for all of our help, at a very local level.  Many of these children and young people deserve and need our support very much. Anything the community can do is greatly appreciated to help them celebrate the Holidays,” he added.

Tim Smith, Chair of the 13th Street Alliance, requested that toys donated be new and unwrapped, and cost within the $10-20 price range.  The toys will be distributed at the Giving Event on December 23 at Middle River Park (1329 N. Dixie Hwy., Fort Lauderdale), from 4-6 p.m., including refreshments, carolers, holiday fun, and a visit from Santa. Local teachers and schools identify those children most in need of holiday gifts.

For more information, call Tim Smith at (954) 822-4727.

WILTON MANORS — The Manor celebrates its 3rd Anniversary on Saturday, December 8, with extended hours (until 4 a.m.) and an Emperor’s Ball, Ancient Rome theme that will include muscle gladiators, productions by drag performer Erika Norell and cast, guest DJs Dave and Gerardo, and what producer Gary Santis promises to be “an A-list nightlife experience to all attendees” and insists will be “one of the season’s most talked-about parties.”

The Manor, which opened in December 2009, features a state of the art night club, martini bar, craft and specialty beer bar, and a banquet/meeting facility that has stood as host for events ranging from gay weddings to nationally-recognized political events, including a recent appearance by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. For more information, visit themanorcomplex.com.

WILTON MANORS — Java Boys Coffee House sponsored its first charity auction on Monday, December 3, to benefit the Poverello Center. The auction included rare items, artwork, pop-art, sculptures, collectibles, fine art, antiques, and other unique items, including a signed lithograph print of Marilyn Monroe, a movie poster autographed by Steven Spielberg, a solid gold 1941 Seiko gold watch (of which only 5,000 models were made), and a letter signed by the late Gianni Versace.

Java Boys co-owner Steve Rose said that all items auctioned would benefit the Poverello Center Thrift Store and Food Bank, and that it was their plans to  continue hosting charity events to benefit service organizations and worthy causes.

“We want to work with the community and do this once a month for different charities, and to introduce Java Boys to people who haven’t visited us yet,” Rose said.

WILTON MANORS — The stage will literally be set for Thursday, December 6, when the City of Wilton Manors holds its 2012 Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Jaycee Park, on Wilton Drive (across from Wilton Manors City Hall and Gables Wilton Park apartments), from 6 to 9 p.m.

City officials, community leaders, and entertainers will round out the event to commemorate the religious holiday celebrations that take place in December, including Hanukkah (December 8-16), Christmas (December 25), and Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1).

WILTON MANORS — Organizers of the 7^th Annual Taste of the Island, which was held on Monday, November 5 in Wilton Manors’ historic Richardson Park, say the event was attended by approximately 800 people, who enjoyed samplings from more than 50 local restaurants and drinking establishments, and an evening co-hosted by NBC-6 anchor Trina Robinson.

Krishan Manners, President and CEO of the Wilton Manors Development Alliance (WMDA), said the purpose of the evening is to throw a fun event in Wilton Manors (nicknamed “the Island City”) and to donate the proceeds to four local community organizations and entities: the Wilton Manors Leisure Services Department, the Wilton Manors Historical Society, the Wilton Manors Kiwanis, and WMDA.

“We were very pleased with the turnout. Our ticket sales totaled $17,000,” Manners noted. “We take the proceeds from this year’s event, extract any seed money for next year’s event and the remainder is split between the four groups.”

According to Shirley Nolen, Founder and President of Taste of the Island, each group will receive $3,750.

Manners explained that, “Part of the amount that was donated to WMDA will go towards buying five bicycles for Kids in Distress, as part of Shawn and Nick’s annual Courtyard Café bicycle, toy and gift drive,” adding that Courtyard co-owner Nick Berry plans to donate at least 50 bikes this year to the local child welfare agency.

WILTON MANORS — The third-annual holiday toy drive, “A Toy’s Story: A Night for Giving,” takes place Wednesday, December 5 at The Manor Restaurant and Entertainment Complex, with an event organizers say is dedicated to giving back to the local charities that work year-round to enrich our community.

In addition to Special Guest Kimberly Locke (“American Idol”) and a special performance by video artists Delfrida, the evening will feature a silent auction, wreath actions, and a “Room For Giving.” Tickets are $20 at the door, plus an unwrapped toy.