Florida Agenda

MIAMI, FL – Despite the Christian Family Coalitions attempts to discredit U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, those taking part in a CFC poll overwhelmingly said she should not be removed from her GOP leadership position.

An online poll by the Christian Family Coalition asked the question: “Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has come out – for ‘homosexual marriage.’ As a Republican leader, she is bound by the party platform which supports marriage as one man, one woman. Should she be removed from her leadership position in the party?”

A vast majority of those participating in the poll felt she should not be removed from GOP leadership position. The results were: 8.4% said yes, 91.3% responded no and 0.3% had no opinion.

In a written statement from SAVE Dade, “In what was a clear effort to attack Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for simply representing all of her constituents, the Christian Family Coalition asked their constituents to vote whether or not she should be stripped of her leadership role in the Republican Party. To their surprise 91.3% of their constituents voted NOT to remove her and only 8.5% think she should.

In late September, Ros-Lehtinen joined 124 of her colleagues in Congress to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the discriminatory federal ban on marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen became the first Republican to co-sponsor this historic legislation, opening the door to further bi-partisan support.

“The Christian Family Coalition now has their own data pointing to what we already knew; most Americans are in support of full equality for people who are LGBT,” said C.J. Ortuno, Executive Director of SAVE Dade. “This poll should send a clear message to their leadership that their hatred and prejudice is outdated and founded on drunk science – apparently their membership agrees.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Log Cabin Republican Club has thanked Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL) for becoming the first Republican member of Congress to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act.

In a written statement, the Log Cabin Republicans said: “Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has long been on the frontlines in fighting for human dignity at home and abroad. As a founding member of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, she has been a reliable ally and leader time and again on legislation to secure freedom and fairness for all Americans. Log Cabin Republicans are grateful that she has once again stepped forward as an inclusive leader by co-sponsoring the Respect for Marriage Act,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director.

“Marriage is a fundamental right of all Americans. The so-called Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) is an offense to the core conservative principles of liberty and federalism. It has been repudiated by its author, former Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA), and is rejected by a growing majority of Americans. It is time that our law respected all marriages.

There is much work to be done to make that dream a reality, but with Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s leadership, marriage equality is on the horizon.”

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen said, “I’m pleased to join the Log Cabin Republicans in our fight for marriage equality. I co-sponsored the repeal of DOMA because I firmly believe that equality is enshrined in our constitution and in our great democracy.”

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Ron Mills, president of the Dolphin Democrats, issued a statement on the repeal of the ban on openly-gay members serving in the military:

“Our nation was founded on the concept of equality for all, and yet equality for gay and lesbian Americans is still a work in progress. Today, with the end of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ those gay and lesbian Americans who wish to serve their country without hiding their true identities finely have equality.

“As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness,” President Obama said in July. “As of September 20, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.“

All ten of Florida’s congressional Democrats in the House voted to repeal the ban late last year, joined by Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-Balart. We thank them for recognizing that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” had to go. We also thank Senator Bill Nelson for his vote against the ban.

“The Dolphin Democrats have been out front in fighting for repeal, working with the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and National Stonewall Democrats. But this should not be seen as a partisan victory – rather, it is a victory shared by all Americans that underscores our true values.

“There are still many more key pieces of legislation lingering in Washington guaranteeing the LGBT community is ensured equality, but today we will celebrate the repeal of the discriminatory ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congress-woman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL 18) signed on to a letter to IRS Commissioner Schulman requesting that the IRS provide clear guidance for LGBT taxpayers. The letter asks the IRS to ensure that tax law is being applied fairly to all individuals. Since there is no equivalent federal recognition for those in same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships, many Americans are faced with a tax code that is confusing and ambiguous.

Said Ros-Lehtinen: “I am proud of joining my Congressional colleagues on this letter. In these tough economic times, the American people deserve a tax code that is simple and not filled with unnecessary burdens. All Americans must be treated equitably by our tax system.”

Republican Regularly Bucks GOP System on LGBT Issues

By James Michaels

Photo: Florida Congresswoman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18)

MIAMI, FL – U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18) became the first GOP co-sponsor to ban discrimination against gay adoptive parents. She will most likely be the only member of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to support the bill.

According to SAVE Dade, the U.S. Rep. of Miami, the nation’s leading GOP lawmaker on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues, has signed on to support the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would prevent local laws against gay parents adopting. SAVE Dade is Miami-Dade County’s largest gayrights group.

Despite being a member of the Republican Party, since taking office in 1989 Ros-Lehtinen has been a major supporter of equal rights for the LGBT community, bucking her party’s trend of discrimination to LGBT people. She regularly gets re-election endorsements from LGBT equal rights groups. Earlier this year, Ros-Lehtinen received the Public Service Stars from the Pride Center’s “Stars of the Rainbow” awards ceremony.

For months, statewide and national LGBT organizations have lobbied Ros- Lehtinen to add her voice in support of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act and outlaw discrimination against gay and lesbian parents from adopting and fostering children.

At SAVE Dade’s 2011 Champions of Equality Awards Reception, Martin Gill, the plaintiff in the ACLU of Florida’s case that successfully overturned Florida’s 33-year ban on gay and lesbian adoption, delivered to Ros-Lehtinen a personal letter about his struggle to adopt his two sons.

Martin’s personal appeal worked.

Within days of receiving Martin’s letter, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen announced she will be the first Republican Member of Congress to co-sponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. The Congresswoman spoke directly to Martin’s personal message as the tippingpoint that influenced her decision:

“There are many needy children in foster care who want a permanent and safe home environment. Right now, many individuals would like to provide a home for these children, but they are denied the opportunity due to laws relating to sexual orientation. A constituent of my Congressional district, Martin Gill, has given a public face to this dilemma and has fought these laws so that he and his partner can provide an orderly and warm home to their two adopted sons. I thank SAVE Dade for its leadership on this issue of non-discrimination.”

Ros-Lehtinen was born in Havana, Cuba, one of two children born to Enrique Ros and his wife, Amanda Adato.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in education and her Master of Arts in educational leadership from Florida International University. She attended the University of Miami, where she earned a Ph.D. in higher education. She was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1982 to 1986, and was then a one-term member of the Florida Senate before entering the House.

Prior to entering political life, Ros- Lehtinen was an educator and the owner/operator of a private school in Miami-Dade County. Upon her election to succeed the late Congressman Claude Pepper, she became the first Cuban American and the first Hispanic woman elected to the United States Congress.

She is currently the most senior Republican woman in the U.S. House, and was the first Republican woman elected to the House of Representatives from Florida. She is chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, effective 2011.

Ros-Lehtinen sides with the Democrats on many issues of gay rights. Her district includes large LGBT populations in South Beach, Miami Beach and in the Florida Keys. She is currently the only Republican member of the LGBT Equality Caucus and is a vice-chairperson. Although she is not a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, she supports anti-hate crime laws, anti-discrimination bills, believes gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the armed forces, is a sponsor of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment and was a founding member (one of only two Republicans) and the only current Republican member of the LGBT congressional caucus. In December, 2010, Ros-Lehtinen was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the United States military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on openly gay service members.

“Stars of the Rainbow” 2011 Scheduled for April 3

By Bob Kecskemety

Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. for this year’s “Stars of the Rainbow” which celebrates its eighteenth anniversary celebrating the best our community has to offer.

2011 Stars of the Rainbow Honorees represent individuals, businesses and organizations that exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and activism. Honorees have represented the LGBTQ community in a positive light, and have supported the efforts of the Pride Center.

Only a limited number of $150 tickets are still available for what promises to be the social event of the season located in the Crystal Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, 2301 S.E. 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale. To purchase tickets go to PrideCenterFlorida.org.

This year’s event will be emceed by Bishop S. F. Makalani-MaHee and Donna Woessner and includes great entertainment, terrific hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and outstanding company and fellowship in service to our community.

Wachovia/Wells Fargo is the Presenting Sponsor of the event. 100% of all monies collected through ticket sales and donations support the programs and services of the Pride Center at Equality Park. The Pride Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

For information about additional underwriting and sponsorship opportunities, please contact David Yalen, Membership Development Coordinator at (954) 463-9005 or email dyalen@pridecenterflorida.org.

And the Honorees Are …

Our honorees represent individuals, civic groups and businesses that exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and activism. They have dedicated their time and support in making the Pride Center at Equality Park what it has become today.

Pastor Leslie Tipton of the Church of the Holy SpiritSong – Board Member Star of the Year

Born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Rev. Leslie Tipton refers to herself as a “Valley Girl.” After earning a B.A. in Psychology at San Diego State University in 1986, she served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the United States Marine Corps for over ten years. Rev. Tipton has lived in the Fort Lauderdale area since 2003 and served for three years as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Pride Center at Equality Park. She is an ordained Reverend in the Christian faith and serves as the Associate Pastor of Administration and Outreach at Church of the Holy SpiritSong in Wilton Manors, FL, on the Campus of Equality Park. Pastor Leslie is very active in the South Florida community. She resides in Miramar with her wonderful wife, Sandra and their many pets. “

It is with humility that I accept this award,” said Reverend Tipton in response to being chosen the Pride Center Board Member Star of the Year. “My service to our community is in direct response to God’s call on my life and that is, in part, to let the GLBTQI community in South Florida know that God loves them and accepts them just the way they are. Don’t let anyone tell you differently!”

Nikki Adams of Broward House and Donna Markland of the Broward County Health Department – Community Stars of the Year

Nikki Adams’ career as a female impersonator has spanned over 34 years, traveling throughout the United States and abroad bringing her unique act and much soughtafter emcee capabilities to countless nightclubs, theaters, corporate events and fundraisers for varied LGBT and mainstream organizations. On a national and local basis, she has helped raise millions of dollars for charity. In the mid-80s, she pioneered a gay variety/talk television show called “Way Off Broadway” costarring with her friend and mentor, Dana Manchester. Nikki also played the role of Carlina in the movie “Catherine’s Grove” and appeared in music videos for Evelyn Thomas and Gloria Estefan. Along the way, Nikki has captured numerous titles including Miss Florida F.I. and Miss Continental Elite.

In 2009, Nikki signed on with Broward House as Community Liaison, lending her skills with event production, promotion and fundraising to Broward County’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS organization. “Though garnering numerous accolades throughout my career,” said Nikki, “I am humbled for this recognition from the community I call home. It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as a representative for South Florida, and I do so with great PRIDE!”

Donna Markland serves as the Minority AIDS Coordinator at the Broward County (Florida) Health Department / HIV/AIDS Program Office. She provides capacity building, technical assistance for minority communities and she also supervises the Prenatal HIV Program.

Ms. Markland chairs the HIV/AIDS Minority Network, Black Advisory Group in Broward County. The Network, and collaborating partner agencies in the community, have launched several HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives in the comm u n i t y s u c h a s : street outreach, leadership training and multicultural, multi-ethnic prevention efforts to bring about HIV/AIDS awareness to hard-toreach populations in Broward County. Donna has also worked on numerous HIV/AIDS Hispanic Latino initiatives since the inception of the Broward Community Planning Partnership.

The Trevor Project Non – Profit Star of the Year

The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization and the leading national organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. The Trevor Project operates The Trevor Lifeline, a tollfree number and confidential service staffed by trained counselors. The Trevor Project also provides guidance and vital resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all youth at home and at school.

Executive Director Charles Robbins has spent his career in non-profit management. From founding organizations to serving in senior fundraising and development roles at some of the most prominent LGBTQ organizations in the country, Charles is a seasoned leader and passionate advocate. During his four-year tenure at The Trevor Project, the full-time staff has grown from five to 24 and the annual budget has quadrupled to $4 million. Charles is a member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the National Lifeline Suicide Prevention Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee, the Suicide Prevention Plan Advisory Committee for the California Department of Mental Health, and the California LGBT Health Network. His professional experience includes serving as development director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, various senior fundraising roles at GLAAD and founding Project Angel Heart, a Denver-based nonprofit. A Colorado native, Charles holds a certificate in non-profit administration from the University of Colorado, Denver, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. When he’s not leading the Trevor staff, you’ll find Charles spending time with his husband, Damon, in Los Angeles or Palm Springs.

South Florida Gay News Norm Kent, Publisher – Media Star of the Year

The successor to Express Gay News, SFGN was inaugurated in January of 2010, designed to be a progressive, credible, newsworthy LGBT newspaper for South Florida, illuminating the lives, breadth and dimensions of the LGBT community. SFGN prides itself on reporting openly and honestly on the community’s wins as well as its wounds, its accomplishments as well as its failures. Its publisher, Norm Kent, is a constitutional rights and criminal defense attorney who has been practicing law in South Florida for over 30 years. Formerly the morning drive radio talk show host for WFTL 850 AM, Kent has served on the Board of Directors of local AIDS agencies, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.

“Our management and staff appreciate the acknowledgement that this award embraces,” said Kent in response to being chosen the Media Star of the Year. “However, for a free community print newspaper to survive in the 21st century, even one with a niche as clearly defined as our own, the very people here giving us this award also have to support our efforts and energies with an ongoing financial commitment in advertising, determining for yourselves if you want the history of the LGBT community written by guides showing shirtless men holding up cocktails or fact-driven newspapers which chronicle our lives. The future and that choice, is ours to make.”

U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz – Public Official Stars of the Year

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen represents Florida’s 18th Congressional District, a diverse area which includes Miami, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Miami Beach, Westchester and the Florida Keys. RosLehtinen was born in Havana, Cuba and at the age of eight, her family was forced to flee the oppressive communist regime of Fidel Castro where the family settled in Miami.

In 1982, she was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives and the Florida Senate in 1986, becoming the first Hispanic woman to serve in either body and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1989 — the first Hispanic woman to serve in Congress.

She has been a long-time supporter of policies that help end discrimination and violence against individuals as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity expression.

She was a founding member of the House Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. The Caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well being for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity expression. She fought tirelessly to repeal the oppressive “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of the military. She cosponsored the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act and to provide assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, biasmotivated crimes among other pro equal rights legislation.

For more than eighteen years, Debbie Wasserman Schultz has dedicated her public life to working on behalf of the people of South Florida. On January 4, 2005, she was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District which includes portions of Miami Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and west to Sunrise. As Founding Vice-Chair of the House LGBT Caucus, Rep. Wasserman Schultz has consistently voted to expand civil rights for the LGBT community by ensuring federal protection from hate-motivated violence and by providing remedies for unfair discrimination in the workplace. She has fought for equality for all of Florida’s families — from full marriage equality to repealing Florida’s painful ban that prohibits loving gay and lesbian parents from adopting children. Just a few months ago Rep. Wasserman Schultz voted in favor of repealing the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prevents gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces. She also supports the Obama Administrations recent decision to stop defending the unconstitutional ‘Defense of Marriage Act’ (DOMA) in federal court. While making strong progress toward equality, Rep. Wasserman Schultz knows we have a long way to go to achieve true equal opportunity for LGBT Americans who still face undue prejudice and treatment.

“I am humbled to receive this honor from the Pride Center,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “As your representative in Washington, I promise to continue my fight for equality and justice so that we may all live, love and prosper in a more perfect union.”

Arthur B. Smith Tyler Healis – Sustainability Award

Arthur Smith moved to South Florida in 1987. Already a successful lawyer in Massachusetts, Smith decided he would sell his house up north, close his law offices and relocate to South Florida where he specializes in real estate development, estate planning and corporate law. Over the years, Smith represented many estates which have contributed to the Pride Center at Equality Park. He also represented the John C. Graves estate which oversaw the creation of the John C. Graves Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward, from which the Pride Center has received sizeable grants. Mr. Smith represents the Gilbert Corwin estate which has bequested $350,000 to the Pride Center.

PALS Project Volunteers  – Volunteer Star of the Year

For years, the PALS Project has provided local gay, bisexual and transgender- identified men with vital social support, accurate HIV information and effective tools to lead safer, richer lives. Two of the guiding principles in the PALS Project are to “give back” and to use “peer support”. Non-paid staff (volunteers) are graduates of the PALS programs and who come back to work in partnership with paid staff in almost all aspects of initiatives. Volunteer serve as: (1) peer facilitators in programs, small groups and individual coaching sessions; (2) peer educators in community workshops; (3) quality assurance/improvement evaluators; (4) customer relations specialists; (5) activity/event planners; and (6) care team associates to help participants with special needs. PALS volunteers provide the Center and the community literally with thousands of hours of service each year. In addition, PALS volunteers spearheaded the Pride Center’s participation in 2010 Florida AIDS Walk, raising over $23,000 for HIV/AIDS services at the Center.

“I received so much from the LIFE program that I became passionate about giving back and helping my brothers who are HIV-positive,” says Will Cudequest, one PALS volunteer. “But what really happened is that I got even much more back when I volunteered! Thank you so much — my life has changed!”

“Without the daily service, energy and dedication of volunteers, the PALS Project as we know it wouldn’t exist. Period,” says Kristofer Fegenbush, Deputy Director of the Center. “I’m inspired, humbled and challenged by how they impact the lives of so many people in our community — regardless of health status, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or income — including mine.”

Will Spencer -  Alan Schubert Humanitarian Award

Will Spencer moved from New England to Fort Lauderdale over 23 years ago. He’s an avid tennis fan, is openly gay and HIV positive who has lived without traditional medications for over 17 years – he is also a major advocate for complementary therapies. For the bulk of the last 15 years, Spencer has been a full time volunteer for many different charitable organizations. He currently or has sat on the board of directors for the Broward County HIV Health Services Planning Council, CAMP4Health, Kids in Distress, Children’s’ Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Dublin School (Dublin, NH), Gay and Lesbian Fund, Broward AIDS Partnership and is a lifetime member of Leadership Broward.

Spencer is also a Pride Center Founders Circle member, supporter of the Transformers and Sunflower Circle of Friends, Broward House Spirit of Hope Society recipient, a member of the Legacy Society and the list goes on and on.

“Being honored is always a double-edged experience,” said Spencer upon hearing that he is receiving a Stars of the Rainbow Award this year. “On one hand it is especially nice to be recognized for doing what I can. On the other, Cleve Jones (founder of The Quilt and visionary pioneer for the LGBT movement) once wisely pointed out that, ‘It feels a bit as if I am a fraud, not worthy. I get so much more in return than I could ever fully express with words.’”

By Ily Goyanes

Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis) is a pioneer. Rep. Baldwin, 48, was the first woman elected to Congress from the state of Wisconsin. She is also the first openly gay, non-incumbent candidate to be elected to Congress in the United States.

After fifteen years together, Baldwin and her partner, Lauren Azar, are separating. Baldwin and Azar were among the first couples to register as domestic partners in Wisconsin in 2009. Wisconsin’s domestic partnership legislation offers registered couples benefits such as hospital visitation rights.

As far as the separation goes, the former couple has kept mainly silent. An announcement issued through Baldwin’s office has been the only public statement regarding the break-up.  “Accordingly, they will also terminate their Wisconsin domestic partnership,” the announcement says. “Neither Tammy nor Lauren will have any further public comment on this very private matter.”

An avid reader, Baldwin used literature to ease the coming-out process in college. “Books played an important role in giving context to a topic rarely discussed in schools or around the dinner table.”  Randy Shilts’ The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk, and the works of Professor John Boswell and Rita Mae Brown, helped her realize that a lesbian can take an active role in shaping public policy.

First elected to the House of Representatives in 1999, Baldwin has been an avid champion of universal healthcare and LGBT rights. She has also played a huge part in orchestrating passage of the Domestic Partnership and Obligations Act, a bill that she co-sponsored in the House with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), also a champion of LGBT rights. The bill ensures that the partners of federal employees receive federal benefits, such as health insurance.

After coming out as a lesbian in college, Baldwin has never looked back. While running for office, she decided that she would run a truthful campaign—and that meant being open about her sexual orientation. She never hid the fact that she was a lesbian. “But there was also, believe it or not, an advantage to being open and honest about who I am. In a world too full of half-truths and whole lies, those of us who are “out” are perceived as being honest–of having integrity,” says Baldwin on her website.

“When I ran for the Wisconsin Assembly in 1992, people told me time and time again that my integrity mattered. I remember being approached by a gentleman who I wouldn’t have picked to be a big supporter. But he got up to me and said, ‘Gosh, Lady, you’ve sure got guts. If you can be honest about that, you’ll probably be honest about everything.’ I got his vote!”

Baldwin’s political career began inauspiciously. As a middle-school student, she ran for Student Council President and lost. She also lost elections in high school and college, failing to become the high school graduation speaker and college class president. Despite these early losses, she forged ahead to pave the way for American women and lesbians interested in politics. “I hope that’s a lesson for other people, young and older, who are dreaming big dreams!”

Congress on verge of eradicating anti-GLBT policy from the military

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

Petty Officer Larry Whitt of Fort Lauderdale traveled to Washington DC two months ago and got arrested after chaining himself to the White House. Now Officer Whitt and the thousands of other United States military personnel who have been fighting the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy know their work has not been in vain. By a 234-194 vote last week, The United States House of Representatives approved an amendment to repeal the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. Miami representative Ileana Ros Lehtinen was one of the few republicans to vote for the repeal.The Senate Armed Service Committee, by a 16-12, approved a similar amendment repealing DADT. Florida Senator Bill Nelson did vote for the repeal in the committee. The full Senate must still vote on the measure, expected sometime this week.

If the amendment is passed in the Senate, the actual repeal would take place 60 days after a Pentagon report about the affects of letting gays and lesbians serve openly is completed. The report is due by December 1.

“I am pleased that both the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee took important bipartisan steps toward repeal tonight… Our military is made up of the best and bravest men and women in our nation, and my greatest honor is leading them as Commander-in-Chief. This legislation will help make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity,” President Obama said in a statement after making it a campaign pledge of his to repeal the ban.

The American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) and other LGBT groups are not exactly jumping in the air in excitement about having to wait for the actual repeal to happen after the December 1 report is returned, but they are pleased that this step towards LGBT equality was a long time coming.

“AVER is cautiously optimistic that the actions taken by Congress this week towards repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will eventually accomplish an end to discrimination against gay and lesbian service members and halt the discharge of trained military professionals who possess critical skills necessary for our nation’s defense against terrorist attack,” said AVER National President Danny Ingram. “The bottom line of this week’s actions, however, is that today openly gay and lesbian troops are still being discharged from the military, which means that critical support services are still being denied to troops on the battlefield. And crucial members of America’s intelligence operations, including highly trained military linguists, are still being ejected from service.”

Support for the repeal among the general U.S. population is the strongest it has ever been. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey taken last week announced that 78 percent of the public favor allowing openly gay people to serve in the military.

Still, some right wing Christian groups are vehemently fighting to keep the ban intact.

According to a research paper published by the Family Research Council, an anti-GLBT group, “The military already has a serious problem with sexual assault by homosexuals. If the current law against homosexuality in the military is overturned, the problem of same-sex sexual assault in the military is sure to increase. If the law is overturned and open homosexuals are welcomed into the military, the number of homosexuals in the armed forces can only increase-leading to a corresponding increase in same-sex sexual assaults.”

The Family Research Council findings conclude that. “Allowing open homosexuality in the military would do nothing to enhance the readiness or effectiveness of our armed forces. On the contrary, it would clearly damage them-in part because it would increase the already serious problem of homosexual assault in the military.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid believes he has the 60 votes needed to get the legislation passed as part of the annual Pentagon budget.