Florida Agenda

By Sandy Steen

The upcoming national elections are a dead-serious choice for all gay people who want a job-producing economy that insures middle class affluence and upward mobility. Since Barack Obama’s historic election that promised “Hope and Change,” we have witnessed nightmarish results that create despair and a sense of futility for much of the gay community.

Gas prices have doubled and unemployment rates are up three percent; leaving millions of gay people almost helpless. Median incomes—if you even have a job—have dropped $3,000 to 5,000 per worker.

According to the Sun Sentinel, unemployment in Broward is over 8 percent; in Palm Beach County, it is over 10 percent.

Home foreclosures are at an all time high—which is devastating to a Florida gay community that historically distinguishes itself by improving dilapidated neighborhoods, and excelling in interior design and landscape architecture.

Gay newspapers and Websites relentlessly inveigle their readers into believing it is all George W. Bush’s fault, and focus on the mirage of hyper-homophobia in our culture. This is unethical journalistic rhetoric, and probably leads to an epidemic of depression among many gay people. Since 2010, I witness many “out and open” gay people and couples working as volunteers for such Republican candidates as Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti, congressional candidates Karen Harrington and Allen West, state Senate candidate Ellyn Bogdanoff, Scott Herman—a gay, disabled veteran running for state representative—and both Connie Mack and Marco Rubio as U.S. Senators.

In 2010, exit polls revealed that nearly 50 percent of gay voters voted Republican, slightly more than for Democrats. Now that’s “Hope and Change” we need to recognize and appreciate if we truly celebrate diversity.

To our economy’s detriment, Obama gambled over $5 trillion of borrowed money from China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, only to achieve a recovery that is the weakest in U.S. history. He promotes class warfare and excessive government dependence that in no way compares to the tremendous economic expansions ignited by John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton, all of whom aggressively reduced taxes on income and in vestment. Barack Obama lost his luster because of little insight into how to make America competitive in a global economy. Our chief competitor during this century, China, signed 25 free trade pacts with other nations, and another 10 are in the works. Meanwhile, the U.S. signed only three.

Obama’s foreign policy is spinning horrifically out of control, with the wave of murderous terrorist attacks and violent demonstrations erupting across the Arab/Islamic world—a severe setback to the region’s democratic movements that tried to establish pluralistic opportunities for Arab gay people.

Mitt Romney offers a plan that will reinvigorate our economy and create at least 12 million new jobs in the next four years. He will save our deeply troubled Medicare and Social Security programs for our gay senior citizens. And he will stop the thoughtless foreign borrowing that has enchained every American into debt and despair for generations. Romney will help our entrepreneurial class create more jobs, and taxpayers.

Gay Americans are exceptionally capable and patriotic workers: They deserve the best America they can get in return for their dreams and ambitions. Let’s vote for Mitt Romney, along with Connie Mack for the U.S. Senate, and all other reform Republican candidates in Florida.

Sandy Steen is Vice President of the Broward Log Cabin Republicans and a former Mayor of Wilton Manors.

A&F Asks “The Situation” to Wear Another Brand

NEW YORK, NY – Us Weekly reported that Abercrombe and Fitch is worried that “Jersey Shore” star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has been wearing its clothing out and about. So worried, in fact, that they’re willing to pay Sorrentino, 29, and the rest of the “Jersey Shore” cast a “substantial” amount of cash to stop wear A&F clothing in public.

“We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino’s association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image,” the company said in a press release. “We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans,” the statement continued.

“We have therefore offered a substantial payment to Michael ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino and the producers of MTV’s “The Jersey Shore” to have the character wear an alternate brand. We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response.”

Transgender Woman Settles DMV Suit

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A transgender woman who went to the Department of Motor Vehicles in San Francisco to record her sex change and then got a letter from a DMV clerk saying homosexual acts were “an abomination that leads to hell,” will receive a $55,000 legal settlement, according to her lawyer. Amber Yust’s settlement includes $40,000 from the state and $15,000 from Thomas Demartini, who was suspended with pay by the DMV shortly after the incident and quit his job in December.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Yust went to the DMV’s Fell Street office in October to record her new name and gender on her driver’s license. She said Demartini expressed no objection while processing her application. But four days later, she said, she got a letter from Demartini that warned her of eternal damnation and referred her to the website of a fundamentalist church, the Most Holy Family Monastery. Yust said she received a DVD from the church the same day, predicting hellfire for anyone “possessed by demons” of homosexuality.

Her lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, accused the DMV of violating her privacy and civil rights by disclosing personalinformation.

Sean Hayes to Return to TV

BURBANK, CA – Sean Hayes, former star of “Will & Grace,” will be working with co-creator Peter Tolan on a series for NBC about two gay men raising a 12-year-old. The show is currently in the development stage.

According to Entertainment Weekly, NBC’s entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt reportedly confirmed the project to reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

Hayes has stepped behind the cameras recently, producing series like NBC’s upcoming fall show “Grimm” and TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland”. He also starred opposite Kristin Chenoweth in “Promises, Promises” on Broadway in 2010, and has been cast to play Larry in the upcoming “Three Stooges” movie.

Same-Sex Marriage Initiative Clears First Major Step

PORTLAND, ME – Same-sex marriage advocates in Maine announced that a citizen initiative campaign for a law allowing same-sex couples to marry cleared its first major hurdle with the Secretary of State’s approval of the language of the proposed statute. This allows campaign volunteers and supporters to begin collecting the signatures required to put “An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom” on the November 2012 ballot.

If it qualifies for the 2012 ballot and is approved by voters, “An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom” would permit gay and lesbian couples to obtain licenses to legally marry in Maine. It would not require churches to perform such marriages in violation of their religious teachings.

At Least 100 Gay Priests Targeted by Blackmailers

ISERNIA, ITALY – At least 100 gay priests across Italy were blackmailed by two men who used social networking websites to meet them, according to the Italian weekly, Panorama.

The pair asked the priests for up to 10,000 Euros each to keep quiet about their virtual sex sessions via webcam and, in some cases, actual encounters, Panorama said.

The newspaper said a judicial probe, spearheaded by magistrates in the town of Isernia in Italy’s southern Molise region, led to the arrest of Diego Maria Caoggiano, 35, and Giuseppe Trementino, 30. The men live together in the town of Bagnoli del Trigno, where they have been granted house arrest.

North Carolina to Put Gay Marriage Up for a Vote

RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina’s State House Speaker Thom Tillis (R), is ready to put a gay marriage ban on next year’s ballot. At a town hall meeting in Cornelius, NC, Tillis was asked about a legislative proposal expected to be debated next month during a special session. The proposal would define marriage as a heterosexual union in the state’s constitution.

The legislation was introduced in the Senate in February and in the House in April.

The Senate version also bans other unions in addition to marriage, which could include civil unions and domestic partnerships, but the House version only covers marriage. Gay rights activists worry that the Senate version could outlaw domestic partner benefits currently offered by private sector employers.

Christine O’Donnell Walks Out on TV Interview

NEW YORK, NY – Former U.S. Senate candidate from Delaware Christine O’Donnell walked out on a telephone interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan.

O’Donnell was the Tea Party favorite during the election last November, but her popularity dramatically fell as more became known about the candidate, including her dabbling in witchcraft and her being an outspoken opponent against masturbation. O’Donnell is promoting her new book, Troublemaker.

O’Donnell was willing to discuss much of what she had said during her campaign, but once she was asked about her views on same-sex marriage, O’Donnell yanked out her earpiece and said she had somewhere else to go, repeatedly refusing to answer Morgan’s question.

Log Cabin Republicans to Honor Susan Collins

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gay GOP group, The Log Cabin Republicans, announced that they will honor LGBT-friendly U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) at their annual dinner in Washington next month.

“Senator Collins is the reason why the failed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy will be relegated to history,” said the group’s executive director, R. Clarke Cooper, in a written statement. “We have always been proud of her leadership on behalf of gay and lesbian Americans and we are excited for the opportunity to honor her work.”

He went on to say “Senator Collins has further demonstrated her steadfast commitment to fairness through her support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and achieving tax parity for health care. She remains the tip of the spear in the fight for equality.”

Census Data Reflects Greater Acceptance of Florida’s LGBT Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the reported number of same-gender households in Florida has seen a dramatic increase, up 60% over the past ten years. The data also shows that LGBT families live in every county and every city of Florida.

Equality Florida, a statewide LGBT civil rights group, worked with both national and local partners in a first-ever “Our Families Count” campaign to educate Florida’s LGBT community on the importance of being counted in the 2010 Census.

While some portion of the increase can be attributed to Florida’s general population growth, up 17% statewide, the real story behind these numbers is that they reflect a much greater willingness on the part of same-gender couples to be out and open about their families.

Michele Bachmann Comes Up with Gay Marriage Proposal (Sort Of)

COLUMBIA, SC – According to Addicting Info, GOP presidential hopeful, Representative Michele Bachman, has come up with a plan for gay marriage that she could support: gay men should marry women. Bachmann continues her stance that marriage must only be between one man and one woman. She also added, “I do not have anything against homosexuals. Some of my best hairdressers are part of that lifestyle. But that does not mean they should be allowed to marry those of the same gender.”

Recently, Bachmann indicated that she believes that homosexuality is “part of Satan” and that one of her first acts as president is that she would reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

Gay GOP Presidential Candidate Sues Fox News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Presidential candidate Fred Karger has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission against Fox News and its owner, Rupert Murdoch.

Fox News, which ran the Ames, Iowa, debate held on August 11, would not allow Karger, who is openly gay, from entering the debate, saying that he hadn’t met the necessary qualifications.

Karger, a Californian, claimed that he met all the qualifications: his campaign was registered with the Federal Elections Commission, he met all the U.S. Constitution requirements and that the most recent polls prior to the debate he garnered at least an average of 1% in the five national polls.

“I am the first openly gay major party candidate to ever run for President of the United States,” Karger wrote in his letter to the FEC. “I have experienced many doors slammed in my face by individuals and outside political organizations during the past eighteen months, but this blatant affront by Fox News executives smacks of discrimination and I hope the Commission will investigate post-haste.”

Tim Hardaway Helps Pro-Gay Candidates

EL PASO, TX – Former Miami Heat player, Tim Hardaway was in El Paso, Texas this week (where he went college) to lend his support to a trio of politicians who are in danger of being recalled due to their stance on supporting gay rights.

In town for a golf outing, Hardaway attended a press conference urging citizens to oppose recall efforts against Mayor John Cook and city Representatives Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega. The three are being recalled by a group of religious conservatives who are angry the three voted to restore health benefits for gay and unmarried partners of city employees, despite a ballot initiative in November that had abolished them.

During a February 14, 2007, interview on a Miami sports radio show, in response to the coming out of former NBA player John Amaechi, Hardaway remarked that he would try to distance himself from a player he knew was homosexual. When asked by the radio show host whether he realized that his remarks were homophobic, Hardaway responded by saying: “Well, you know I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States. “He also said that if he found out he had one or more gay teammates, he would try to get them fired.

Later in the day, Hardaway apologized for the remarks during a telephone interview with WSVN-7. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said I hate gay people or anything like that.” He further apologized on February 15 in a statement released by his agent. On the same day, the NBA responded to Hardaway’s comments by removing him from its All-Star Weekend activities later that week. Hardaway’s employer, Trinity Sports, owner of the Anderson-based CBA Indiana Alley Cats, dismissed him from his position as Chief Basketball Operations Advisor and they issued a statement distancing itself from Hardaway’s remarks.

In a September, 2007, interview, Hardaway spoke about his February comments, saying he “had no idea how much I hurt people. A lot of people.” He described the controversy as “the biggest bump [in the road] in my life” and added, “I’m going to do whatever I can to correct it. That’s all I can do.”

In an interview on February 11, 2010, on Hardcore Sports Radio on Sirius, Hardaway spoke about his recent work with The Trevor Project and The YES Institute, which he has done to educate himself on gay, lesbian and transgendered issues.

By MATTHEW TSIEN, BROWARD REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President Obama created a stir last month when he reiterated that, while he doesn’t support gay marriage, he still struggles with the issue. He said his views are “constantly evolving.”

In the Republican Party, the fracture over issues concerning homosexual individuals revealed itself more clearly in the vote for repeal of the 17 year old “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy that prevented gays from serving openly in the military.

Of the eight Republican senators who voted for repeal, five are among the youngest in the upper chamber – and they’re not all moderates. They are rather right-wing and the type of Republicans that the gay press and their activist class reflexively demonized as ultra-homophobic nut-jobs.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Ala., John Ensign of Mormon, Nev., and Richard Burr of Dixie N. C., — yes, that’s Jesse Helm’s North Carolina – maintain relatively conservative voting records. They are 53, 52 and 55, respectively.

Their colleagues, Mark Kirk and Scott Brown, have been lumped into the more moderate wing of the party, but they, too, are some of the youngest GOP senators. Both are 51. Yet, as far as “gay issues” go, the GOP might be more generational in their views.

Nearly all young service members supported the repeal of DADT because it simply doesn’t matter to them what anyone’s sexual orientation is – as long as you can live within the military Code of Conduct – and many happen to know and are friends with gay people.

In terms of the recent Senate vote, as we know, most U.S. senators are old and many of the Republicans are from a generation that are clinging to old-school thoughts of a time long ago. However, Republicans under the age of 60 tend to be more inclusive, even if they are rightfully labeled “conservative” in their voting records on other non-gay issues.

In fact, looking beyond the rigidly leftwing gay world, many people, including centrist and GOP Gays, would argue that conservatives and Republicans in general aren’t any different than anyone else in America.

Republicans, over the past number of years, have seen more and more gay people feeling free to come out and to live their lives openly and honestly, within the very ranks of Republican culture, such as traditional families, churches, Fortune 500 companies, Republican think-tanks and other Republican Party activities.

For that reason the younger generations of Republicans are becoming increasingly familiar with issues affecting homosexual Americans. Generally, older generations don’t have that same experience of having as many contemporaries who are openly gay.

Yet the solidly right-wing Republican North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr rationalized inspirationally his decision to support the repeal of DADT in generational terms:

“Given the generational transition that has taken place in our nation, I feel that this policy is outdated and repeal is inevitable,” he said.

Post-vote, there is more evidence that gay issues may continue to show fractures and changes within the GOP: several prominent conservative groups have announced that they will boycott the largest annual gathering of conservatives in the country, the Conservative Political Action Committee Convention, in Washington this February, due to gay Republicans hosting their own hospitality reception suite and a membership sign-up booth for gays leaning decidedly to the right.

It will be inspiring and exciting to see if some of the potential GOP presidential contenders who will speak at this famous right-wing conclave might express more inclusion toward gays in their activist Army. After all, several of the big names being thrown about as the next Republican president are under the age of 60. And that includes right-wing divas Sarah Palin, and Michelle Bachmann, the queens of the Tea Party movement; and also irreverent, but fiscally conservative, Republicans like the Govs.

Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Chris Christie of New Jersey, and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.